HIMALAYAN GUARDIAN Wednesday
April 3-9, 2013
Tsuklakhang Trust to honour Lepcha Bongthings connected
to Sikkim’s Guardian Deities
Gangtok, April 2:
Two Lepcha Bongthing (priests) – one alive and the other who passed away in
2011 – will be felicitated by the Tsuklakhang Trust for their long services to
the people of Sikkim. The two and their ancestors have been performing the
annual Pang Lhabsol pujas to the Supreme Guardian Deities of Sikkim –
Khangchendzonga and Yabdu – for a long time.
Late Ren Samdrup
Taso Lepcha and Ren Pem
Tshering Lepcha’s ancestors have been performing the annual rituals for
generations, according to the Trust.
 |
| Late Ren Samdrup Taso Lepcha |
Late Ren Samdrup Taso Lepcha was the son of late Ren
Yangkyok Lepcha and late Renyu Champi Lepcha from Nung, located in Tingvong
village, Dzongu, North Sikkim. He was better known as Nung Taso or the Kongchen
Bongthing. He belonged to an ancient lineage of powerful Lepcha shamans who are
the sole keepers of the ritual knowledge of the sacred Kongchen ritual. Ren
Samdrup Taso Lepcha passed away at the age of 84 in his home in Nung during a
minor earthquake on October 29, 2011.
His clan, the Garkum tsum ptso, is associated with the powerful mountain
deity Kongchen and traces its ancestry back to the soldiers (vik) of
Kongchen. Their lineage is said to have performed the worship to this protective
deity since time immemorial, according to the Trust
The importance of this lineage for the appeasement of Kongchen and the
worship of Sikkim as Beyul Demoshong was recognised by the Chogyals of Sikkim.
Henceforth, the annual ritual to Kongchen and the other protective mountain
deities of Sikkim became an integral part of the annual Sikkimese festival Pang
Lhabsol held in the 7th month of the lunar calendar.
The
felicitation is “in recognition of the selfless service and contribution made
towards preserving the ageless tradition of the unique Sikkimese festival of
Pang Lhabsol,” and also to “offer good wishes and sincere
prayers for his descendents long and healthy lives and perpetuation of their
ritual lineage.”
 |
| Ren Pem Tshering Lepcha |
He is the son of late Ren Pembo Lepcha and late Angu Lepcha of Chegra Busty, located above Teesta Bazaar under Kurseong Sub-Division of West Bengal. He descends from a line of Bongthings spanning more than forty generations, the Trust said.
The ritual for Yabdü forms part of the sacred Pang Lhabsol celebration which is unique to Sikkim. It is observed at the end of August or early September, on the immediate Friday preceding the 15th day of the 7th month of the lunar calendar when Pang Lhabsol is observed at the Tsuklakhang in Gangtok.
Bongthing Ren Pem Tshering
Lepcha has been holding the annual Pang Lhabsol ritual for Yabdü since 1962
following the demise of his late father. In olden days, the ritual used to be
performed in a jungle above Kali Jhora and Teesta but this was discontinued at
the time of his late grandfather due to attacks by tigers and other wild
animals.
Born around 1935,
Bongthing Ren Pem Tshering Lepcha is now close to eighty years old and, having
no son, has been training his nephew Ren Tashi Lepcha for the past three years
with the view of ensuring the ritual’s continuity. He
leads a very humble and pious life dedicated to ritual and prayer for the
benefit of Sikkim and all sentient beings.
His personal
association with the Palace and subsequently with The Tsuklakhang Trust spans
more than fifty-one years. He is the only surviving Bongthing in the area who
is not only a repository of the old culture, traditions and values but also one
who still celebrates Sikkim as Beyul Demoshong, the sacred hidden land blessed
by Guru Padmasambhava.
The felicitation function will begin here at the
Tsuklakhang Monastery premises on April 7 (Sunday) at 9.30 a.m.
All, including the media,
have been invited by the Tsuklakhang Trust to witness this unique and
auspicious occasion.
DNA study to observe vivacity of Uttarakhand’s Bhotiya
tribe
In perhaps the first ever
study of its kind, there is going to be a DNA study conducted on the Bhotiya
tribals of Uttarakhand, as to what makes them so dynamic as to take the lead in
studies and adorn top administrative and other positions as compared to the
other tribes in this small mountain state.
It has been found that
despite the topography constraints and also the non priority status given to
education by the successive governments of Uttarakhand and earlier the neglect
shown to the region by the Uttar Pradesh government, of which it was a part,
the Bhotiyas, despite having a count of 36,438 only in this small mountain
state have 80 per cent literacy.
The Bhotiyas, said to be
ethno-linguistically Tibetan people, living in the trans-Himalayan region that
divides India from China, made their presence in this part of the country almost
centuries back, when they led a nomadic life traveling with their large flock
of pack goats, sheep and ponies from the trade posts of Garotk and Gyanima in
Tibet to the Gangetic plains.
The annual migration of their
caravans took place along established trade routes, for the Bhotiyas were
legendary traders and trans-Himalayan trade partnerships with nomadic Tibetan
Khampas and Dokpas were formed and nurtured over generations until Chinese
occupation of Tibet and subsequent 1962 Sino-Indian War, after which the trade
stopped completely.
The Bhotiyas have made a
number of success stories in this small mountain state and carved a niche for
themselves in top administrative positions. The DNA test will start from the
members of the scheduled tribe living in Pithoragarh district and will also
cover those living in Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts. There are about 13
sub-sects among the Bhotiyas.
Other things that will also
be studies are that despite having high intake of salt why do they not suffer
from blood pressure and has the change from their old traditional nomadic way
of living to high profile jobs brought any change in them.
Incidentally of the scheduled
tribes found in Uttarakhand, while the Bhotiyas have an 80 per cent rate of
literacy, the Tharus have 67 per cent, Jaunsaris 58.9 per cent, Bokshas 49.9
per cent and rajis 35.8 per cent. The literacy rate of the Bhotiyas happens to
be six per cent more than the national literacy average. (Hill Post)
Editorial
NEPAL CRISIS
Elections May Be Delayed
The main objective of Nepal’s
chief justice-turned-prime minister Khilraj Regmi’s job is to ensure that the
general elections take place at the earliest so that an elected representative
forms the government. This is a strange situation but as Nepal’s politicians
were unable to do what they were supposed to do someone other than a politician
had to be placed on top to see that petty politics do not come in the way of
making democracy more meaningful to the people. Hopefully, Regmi will not
repeat what a number of his predecessors did – and that is to remain in power
as long as possible and forget the main reason for getting the top job.
It is to be noted that the
new PM’s job is to head an ‘interim government’ and not to stay in power for
too long. However, there are reports that the much anticipated election for a
new Constituent Assembly in Nepal is likely to get delayed. The 11-point
agreement among four major parties had proposed polls by June 21 but the
interim election council led by Regmi is yet to announce election dates - more
than two weeks after assuming charge. On Saturday, the Election Commission
stated that possibility of holding polls within the June deadline is unlikely
unless election-related amendments are made within the next few days. If polls are
not held by June, before the onset of the monsoon season, it could get delayed
by several more months. What next if even the head of judiciary fails to
deliver?
POLITICAL SYSTEM OF BHUTAN: 1616-2013
The political system of Bhutan has evolved over time together
with its tradition and culture. It has developed from a fragmented and a
disoriented rule of the different regions by local chieftains, lords and clans
into the parliamentary democracy we have in place today.
The first move towards a systematic scheme of governance
came in 1616 with the arrival of Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal from Tibet. He
introduced the dual system of governance with the Je Khenpo as the spiritual
head of the nation and the Desis, as the head of the temporal aspects.
But a major breakthrough came about in 1907 when the people
unanimously enthroned Ugyen Wangchuck as the fist hereditary King of Bhutan. He
was the man who had proven his mettle by banding together the different
Dzongpons and Penlops (governors of fortress), ending centuries of strife and
bringing much needed stability and peace to the country. Since then, the
country has been ruled by successive monarchs of the Wangchuck dynasty.
In a move to ensure a more democratic governance of the
country, the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck instituted the National Assembly
(Tshogdu) in 1953. Every gewog has an elected member representing it in the
National assembly. It became a platform where the people’s representatives
enacted laws and discussed issues of national importance.
The establishment of the Royal Advisory Council (Lodoe
Tshogde) in 1963 as a link between the king, council of ministers and the
people was another move towards democratization. It also advised the king and
the council of ministers on important issues and ensured that projects were
implemented successfully.
The institution of Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu (District
Development Assembly) in 1981 and Gewog Yargay Tshogchung (County Development
Assembly) in 1991 by the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck was another move
towards decentralization.
But the devolution of the power of the King in 1998 to the
cabinet ministers was the highest form of decentralization. The King,
thereafter, began to serve as the Head of the State while the government was
managed by the Prime Minister.
In November 2001, on the advice of the Fourth king, a
committee chaired by the Chief Justice of Bhutan, was formed to draft the
constitution of Bhutan. The constitution was launched in 2008 and with it a
parliamentary democracy introduced. The progression from Hereditary Monarchy to
that of a Parliamentary Democracy has been a carefully managed process that
culminated in 2008 when Bhutan held its first elections country wide. The Druk
Phunsum Tshogpa was mandated by the people to head the new government with a
major victory. Today with 45 elected members, Lyonchen Jigme Y Thinley steers
the government with just two opposition members from the People’s Democratic
Party.
The organs of the Bhutanese government comprise of the
Legislature, Judiciary and the Executive. The ruling political party, the
opposition and the National Council now forms the legislative body.
GJM, ABGL leaders,
supporters join TMC
 |
| North Bengal Development Minister Goutam Deb |
Darjeeling, April 2:
Two leaders of the Gorkha Janmukti
Morcha and Akhil Bharatya Gorkha League along with their supporters on Sunday
joined the Trinamool Congress which also held a public meeting at Darjeeling
hills.
Prominent
defectors to the TMC fold include N B Khawas of the GNLF who was a councillor,
Manoj Dewan, former general secretary of the AIGL and J B Tamang, a GJM unit
leader from Munda Khoti below Sonada in Darjeeling.
The joined
Trinoomul Congress in presence of North Bengal Development Minister Goutam Deb.
Tamang
said he would continue to work for the development of the Hills and he was
"not opposed to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration," PTI
reported.
Dewan
said more workers of the ABGL would join the Trinamool Congress. In his
address, Deb said, "We are very happy to have these new friends among us.
We hope others will come to the Trinamool Congress fold soon."
More
than 50 supporters from various political parties, including Gorkha Janmukti
Morcha (GJM) party, joined the TMC on Sunday. The induction comes ahead of the
crucial panchayat election.
"This
is the first political programme without our leader Mamata Banerjee in the
Hills. Our message is that in democracy every political party has the right to
organize its programme. We will not be intimidated in any way and will organize
more programmes in other areas of the Hills," said Deb.
Deb
spoke positively on the issue f converting Darjeeling Government College into a
university and establishment of a medical and engineering college in Kurseong
and Kalimpong respectively.
INTERVIEW Lhasang
Tsering
“The Tibetan government-in-exile has
forgotten our freedom struggle”
Interview with Lhasang Tsering, former president of Tibetan Youth
Congress, and Rangzen activist on self-immolations of Tibetans in Tibet.
(Translated from Tibetan by Sonam Gyatso, Library of Tibetan
Works and Archives)
Tibet Times: What
do you think are the main hopes and aspirations of the brave Tibetans who set
themselves on fire inside Tibet?
Lhasang
Tsering: Human beings, when faced with desperate
situations, either kill others or kill themselves. Those Tibetans who set
themselves to fire raised slogans calling for the return of His Holiness the
Dalai Lama to Tibet; some raised slogans about freedom in Tibet and there were
also some who raised slogans for Tibet’s independence. In all, it is clear that
Tibetans inside Tibet are not happy. These desperate actions makes it clear
Tibetans are suffering under the brutal Chinese occupation and their intense
desire for freedom is also clear. We, the Tibetans living in exile, must respect
their aspirations. Particularly, the Tibetan Government-in-Exile must recognize
this. Our government must respect the brave Tibetans who sacrificed their
precious lives for the cause of Tibet.
Q: What
would be the short-term and the ultimate impact on the Tibetan cause of these
self-immolations? What is your personal view?
A: It is a huge loss for the family members
and relatives of the brave Tibetan monks and nuns who set themselves on fire.
They are no longer alive. However; it depends on us whether their actions will
have a positive or negative result for Tibet and the Tibetan people. For
example, if you hit others with just a single finger, rather than hurting
others, you would be hurting yourself. However; if you hit with a firm,
clenched fist with all five fingers joined in unison; it will hurt your
opponent. I heard that some members’ in our community are debating whether
these self-immolations are acts of violence. I feel really depressed and sad to
hear such debates. People who circumambulate Tsuklagkhang and
other holy sites kill insects by trampling on them. Can you refer to this as an
act of violence? Their motive is spiritual accomplishment. It cannot be
violence to sacrifice one’s life for the sake of protecting one’s country and
one’s nation and to preserve our religion and culture. The real act of violence
is being inflicted by the Chinese who oppress our people and create these
desperate situations. Shirking from the responsibility to serve the Tibetan
cause and failing to stand up to oppression and injustice is an act of violence
and deceit.
Q: How
do you define the present status of the Tibetan struggle for independence?
A: Considering the courage and dedication
of Tibetans inside Tibet, the status of our struggle for independence is highly
commendable and hopeful. However, the Tibetan Government-in-Exile has rendered
our struggle directionless. Whether it is an individual or of a community; or
even a nation; one must fulfill three conditions for a movement to succeed.
Firstly; the aim of the struggle should be clear. Secondly; one must have the
necessary confidence to achieve that goal. Thirdly; one must actively work to
achieve that goal. Apart from merely stating that it is for the mutual benefit
of Tibetans and Chinese, our present Middle Way Policy does not have clear aims
and objectives. We do not have confidence because we fear that China is mighty
and powerful. Apart from issuing statements or making speeches about our cause;
in reality; in exile we do not have enough people who sincerely care about the
Tibetan cause and no one actually leading an active struggle.
Q: Are
you satisfied with official campaigns initiated by Kashag and the Tibetan
Parliament-in-Exile to highlight the critical situation inside Tibet?
A: As I said earlier; besides merely
refusing to listen to the voice of the general Tibetan people; the Kashag is
doing nothing to resolve the issue of Tibet. Therefore; it is not a question of
whether it satisfies me or not. I am left in dejection and hopelessness. The
government is an organization to lead people. What the Tibetan Government needs
to do is to lead the struggle for freedom. The Tibetan Government-in-Exile,
based in Dharamshala, has forgotten our freedom struggle and yet it seems that
it perceives itself as running a real government. This is not right. The roof
above our heads and the soil under our feet do not belong to us. They all
belong to others. Even the general public knows that a ‘mutually beneficial’
solution for resolving the Tibet-China issue is not practical and achievable.
Even if it may be achievable, we must know that we don’t have time to wait for
long. Thousands of Chinese are migrating into Tibet even at this very moment
when I am being interviewed here. Yes; Time is running out on us.
Q: What
responsibilities and what kind of movements we Tibetans in exile must initiate
considering the critical situation inside Tibet? Could you please share your
thoughts?
A: In exile, non-governmental organizations
and ordinary Tibetans are making every possible effort towards our freedom
struggle. However, these will not bring real, meaningful result, as they cannot
influence the international community. We need a clear plan and a leader who
can lead us and unite us all. Without such leadership, it would be like laying
thousands of bricks in the wilderness. Such bricks scattered on the desert
surface will not result in a house. There are many people who appreciate His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s decision to devolve his political power to an elected
leader; but I absolutely do not consider it a positive step. For example; if
there is a shepherd who, in the name of taking his sheep to a greener
pastureland, herds them here and there, and finally leave the sheep in the
middle of a vast desert telling them ‘now the authority is in your hands’, is
the shepherd fulfilling his duty? Of course; democracy is important, but it is
an internal matter of a free country. Is it worthwhile to argue about the shape
and size of the house and the colour of the walls before you have the land to
build the house? In my view democracy can wait; but not the struggle for
freedom.
Q: All
the people who immolated themselves are monks and nuns and we often say that
our struggle is for the cause of Tibetan religion and culture, so what in your
view are the responsibilities of the Tibetan reincarnated lamas belonging to
different religious sects in exile?
A: I cannot speak about the views of
Tibetans inside Tibet, but Tibetans in exile must have various opinions with
regard to this matter. Some people are not able to express their views because
of their faith and devotion. Personally, I think that I have put my best
possible effort in leading movements and nurturing leaders for the cause of
Tibet while I was working with Tibetan Youth Congress. What I want to say is
that if [in our community] there are people who think there is a spiritual
practice that is more precious and sacred than serving the happiness and
wellbeing of one’s country and its people; then I request you not to live in
the Tibetan community. Please do not take benefits from our community. I cannot
accept a spiritual practitioner who seeks to achieve individual enlightenment
and who works only for the personal benefit or for the next life without
shouldering responsibility for Tibet and the Tibetan people. We Tibetans do not
need such spiritual practitioners at this moment.
Q: After
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s devolution of political power to an elected
leader, do you think we can see some change in our movement and the nature of
our struggle?
A: His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been the
Spiritual and Political head of Tibet for centuries. I cannot say for sure
there could be a change in a day or two, or within the next few generations to
come. On paper, it can be written that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has devolved
his political authority to an elected leader. However; in the hearts and minds
of Tibetan people it is only His Holiness the Dalai Lama who will remain as the
Spiritual and Secular head of Tibet. When my body and mind separates from each
other and when my flesh and blood spills out, even at that moment, my
consciousness will regard His Holiness the Dalai Lama as my sole leader. [At this moment, Lhasang la
took a pause and shed tears]. Once
again I request His Holiness the Dalai Lama to reconsider his decision of
devolving political authority when our freedom struggle needs him most because
our nation is on the brink of death. The Tibetan people can change their
clothes but how can we change our hearts?
Q: Do
you see some hope that the Tibetan struggle [for autonomy] will gradually move
on to struggle for Rangzen?
A: I am not a person who relies on empty
hopes. If you ask me do I think should the struggle move on to Rangzen; in
reality, I would say definitely I do. I was the one who openly expressed that
it would be an impractical [solution] when His Holiness the Dalai Lama proposed
the Middle Way Approach on 15 June 1987. At that time, there were Tibetans who
even threatened to kill me. My children also faced problems in their school
because of my position. I still keep the same political stand. I haven’t made
the slightest change to it. I believe in truth and justice. I am not a person
who only thinks about personal benefits. The Tibetan Government-in-Exile took a
wrong position right from the beginning. There is no benefit in changing the
driver if one is travelling on the wrong road. No matter how many times you
change drivers, if your vehicle is going on the wrong road there is no change.
First and foremost the Tibetan Government in Exile must change its course.
Q: What
is your view on people who believe that we cannot have dialogues with the
Chinese Government or receive international support if the Tibetans opt for
Rangzen?
A: This is absolutely rubbish. They are
ignorant about world politics. The policy of a state or nation is driven by its
national interest. There is not a single nation in the world that frames their
foreign policy by renouncing its own national interest for the sake of other
nations. Between 1959 and 1965, the United Nations passed resolutions
recognising Tibet’s right to self-determination. This happened when we were
advocating Tibet’s independence. However; because of the spread of Communism in
USSR and other countries, US and other western allies gave more focus on how to
defeat Communism. As a result, Tibetan issue lost limelight then. After
renouncing Rangzen as our official policy, we have not had a single nation that
came up and extended meaningful support. Presently, as China is becoming more
powerful, it naturally affects the interest of many other countries. For their
own interests, not out of concern for Tibet, I am sure we will receive support
from these countries if we take some clear actions. Isn’t it foolish to
complain that one cannot get a sponsor for one’s child without first enrolling
the child in school?
Q: Lhasang
la, what is your expectation [from] and appeal to the Tibetans inside Tibet,
especially Tibetans who set themselves on fire?
A: First of all, I would like to bend my
knees to the ground in prostration before those valiant self-immolating sons
and daughters of Tibet. At this present critical moment, we must prepare
ourselves for a determined action. Even an old man like me has made
preparations since long time back. I registered [the ownership of] my small
bookshop and bank account in my wife’s name. We Tibetans must share our
happiness and suffering together. Whether the loss of these lives benefits our
cause or not will depend on the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and the officials working
in the exile Tibetan community. I request our government to come up with a
well-planned strategy and to take concrete step for our struggle for freedom if
we really think Tibet’s situation is critical and feel solidarity with those
brave Tibetans who have already given up their lives by setting themselves
ablaze. It is not of much use for ordinary Tibetans to go and protest in front
of the Chinese embassy if our government is not willing to lead us from the
front. The Tibetan Government-in-Exile must lead the protests and
demonstrations for our freedom! (Rangzen
Alliance)
No comments:
Post a Comment