Tibetan Monks Sealed in Monastery in Sichuan Request Permission to Pray for Chinese Quake Victims

Selden, a monk living in exile in Dharamsala, India, received a static-filled call from Tibet at 10:30 at night on May 15th. On the other end was a Tibetan man from Kirti Monastery in Sichuan, the province where China's devastating earthquake took tens of thousands of lives.

The man told Selden that the monastic community of Kirti had requested the Chinese authorities to allow them to perform prayers for the Chinese people who had suffered in the disaster.

Since March 6th, Kirti monastery has been surrounded by large numbers of Chinese security forces. The local Tibetan community has not been allowed access after large public demonstrations -- in which thousands of the monks participated -- resulted in mass arrests. For a few days, Kirti became a temporary morgue for fifteen Tibetans who eye witnesses claim were shot and killed by Chinese police while protesting non-violently. Scores of other protesters were reported to have been killed in the ensuing crackdown.

Two weeks later, after photographs of those killed in the protests were leaked to the outside world, the People's Armed Police and Public Security Bureau officials stormed the monastery and searched the rooms. During the raid, they defaced pictures of the Dalai Lama--an unimaginable offense to Tibetan monks. (Photo courtesy of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights & Democracy.)

A photograph of the Dalai Lama defaced in a raid on Kirti Monastery, Tibet.

It was in this atmosphere that the monks of Kirti made their quiet request to do prayers for the Chinese quake victims. Since March, the monks of Kirti have not been allowed to conduct their usual Buddhist rituals, but on May 15th, they received special permission to make an exception. The monks began the day with a prayer offering ceremony and collected cash donations from among their members. They also wrote letters of condolences to the bereaved families.

The monks of Kirti monastery, located in Ngapa county in Amdo, also conveyed the following message to the Chinese people:

"To all the compassionate ones and to all those who are working for others, wherever they are on the entire planet, and to all the compassionate beings born from a mother, and to all the venerable monks who give life meaning. To all the developed countries in the world, and all the notable centers of learning, and to those who respect the law of cause and effect (karma) and religious faiths, I have a message to you from the bottom of my heart.

At 2:28 PM on May 12th, 2008, there was an earthquake in China, affecting Sichuan province and other areas, and resulting in tens of thousands of lives lost, with many others badly injured or bereaved. Some people trapped under the rubble cried over their mobile phones. It is still unknown whether some of those who were trapped are dead or alive. In Lunga County, all the roads were damaged so that it was impossible for vehicles to pass through, and the only way to travel was by airplane or helicopter. Seeing such widescale destruction, I strongly request permission to help with whatever is needed and to do whatever is helpful to those who are in need.

I request permission to work hard to allow the dead to pass without fear, to have no suffering in their next life, and to be reborn in lands which are peaceful and prosperous. And for all the ones who are left behind to be relieved from their sadness, and for those who are injured to be relieved from their pain and any other unpleasant conditions so that they may be able to experience a happy life once again.

As Lama Tsong Khapa [a highly renowned 14th century Tibetan master] said, "To all the people who insult me, and speak to others about my shameful deeds, may I, without hatred, forgive them and speak to them only in a positive way."

I request to perform religious ceremonies, if there is a way. If not, then I request to merely say mantras such as OM MANI PADME HUNG, etc. [the mantra of the Buddha of Compassion] for the most beneficial effect for the needy and for those who have passed away.

How is it possible to enoy complete freedom and a good climate? How can we be prosperous and bring renewed happiness to our lives? How can we avoid diseases, wars, drought, and other natural disasters? All the scholars and world leaders should discuss these things thoroughly. The religious figures of the world should all pray hard.

This message is from 3,000 monks at Ngaba Kirti Monastery in South Amdo on May 15th, 2008, with the hope that it be received graciously by all the knowledgeable bodies outside [Tibet]. It has been recorded as read on the telephone. On the day this message was sent, special religious ceremonies were performed to help allieviate the destruction wrought by the earthquake."

Below is what the local Tibetans of Amdo Ngaba said about the above statement:

1. Buddhism means helping others without discrimination. As we are followers of the Buddha, no matter what kinds of situations we may face, we never transgress this teaching. We are doing the same thing this time.

2. Since March 10th, in all places covering the three main regions of Tibet, Tibetans protested against the Chinese authorities. The Chinese Communist Party sent in personnel in an organized fashion, and marked every Tibetan, especially monks, as criminals. Bloody killings and beatings that were completely inhuman took place--too much for our hearts to hear about, and too much for our eyes to witness. Innocent Tibetans were labeled as criminals in the minds of the Chinese, with whom we have shared thousands of years of history as neighbors. As a result of these negative views, Tibetans, especially monks, are treated more like enemies by ordinary Chinese people. But from our side, we are making it clear that we are not protesting against ordinary Chinese people but against the policies of the Chinese government towards Tibet.

3. Everyone can see that no matter what happens with the Tibetan issue, Tibetans and Chinese have to live side by side as neighbors. We are seriously stating our hope for the improvement of the relationship between both peoples.

That improved relationship may presently seem out of reach, but it's sentiments like these that could bring it closer.

Rebecca Novick is a writer and Executive Producer of The Tibet Connection radio program. She is currently based in Dharamsala, India.

Comments

[yexiaonan]

What has not been revealed by Novick about Kirti Monastery located at Aba (or Ngaba) where the quake epicenter of Wenchuan is located are as follows:

Kirti Monastery has a long history acting as a "hotbed" of Tibet separatism. Demolished during the Cultrual Revolution, rebuilt in later years, and closed in 2000, it was reopened later.

Following the riot in Lhasa of 3.12, riot spread into the town of Aba where it was reported that some 200 died. It was alleged that the riot was instigated or led by the lamas of the monastery.

It was reported that during a raid of the monastery on March 24, guns and ammunitions were found and seized. It may not be surprised that the monastery is under investigation by the authorities.

However, whereas a mass gathering of some 500 monks may be prevented, there is no reason to suspect that private prayer by individual lamas is not permitted.

As some 200 towns and villages in Aba County (or Prefecture) were devastated by the quake and as rescuers rushed in to aid the victims, it is not the time to deal with the "Tibet Question".

Had Novick (and others) visited Tibet meeting with the Tibetans there, she may well discovere that the Tibet Question is not as straight-forward as many in the West have been led to believe by Dalai Lama and those in exile.

Anyone interested should google and read "The Shadow of the Dalai Lama" or "A Different Tibetan Buddhism".

[forsmokey]

1. Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport, culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a
way of life based on joy of effort, educational value of good example and respect for
universal fundamental ethical principles.
2. The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man,
with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.
3. The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organised, universal and permanent action, carried
out under authority of the IOC, of all individuals and entities who are inspired by
values of Olympism. It covers five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing
together the world’s athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is
five interlaced rings.
4. The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising
sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual
understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.
5. Any form of discrimination with regard to country or person on grounds of race, religion,
politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.
6. Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and
recognition by the IOC.

With recognition based on a lie one might expect a Karmic outcome.

[kusalarhetoric]

It's great to have this news here, Rebecca, thank you for posting. It would also be wonderful to have Jamyang Norbu's blog on the Huffington Post.

[yexiaonan]

This is not "news" but third-handed hearsay. Would Novick have the courage to state when and where was the pix shown in her article taken?

How were the monks of the Kirti monastery capable of delivering a full-text message as quoted by Novick through the static-filled phone line? Such was pure fabrication of Novick!

Lamas in Tibet are completely free to practice their religion - wihin the confine of laws on religion.. They don't need "permission" to engage in prayers.

Hundreds of the earthquake victims were Tibetans living in the remotest hidden valleys in the quake aerea. Aids and rescue went out to them - regardless of race and creed.

This is time for compassion and love!

[yexiaonan]

If you can't offer any proof of your allegations, please stop spreading lies.

Showing a pix of an unrecognizable smashed face is no credible evidence as to where and by whom
such act was vandalously committed.

Have you known of Buddhocracy - the seamless integration of religion and politics - which is
integral to Lamaism where the Kundan (Dalai Lama) is the omnipotent spiritual and political leader.
This is the real demand of Dalai Lama- all politics for an "autonomous" TAR of a Greater Tibet .

The havocs and calamity of the Big Earthquake serves to unite all Chinese people - all ethnic groups Tibetans included.