I've never really known exactly what was
going on in Tibet. I always had the idea that bad things were happening, but I
didn’t know the specifics (and probably never will).
Yes I know
its probably a horrible thing that I’m an International Studies student and had
no idea what was really occurring in one of my favorite regions in the world.
But to be honest, I don’t like reading or watching the news. It depresses me. I
don’t like hearing or knowing about atrocities, mass murders or genocides, or
people being forced away from their homelands and their identity being wiped
out. Who wants to hear about that? And I know it happens all over the world and
the most tragic of events colors the pages of news sites and papers. Can you
blame me for not wanting to know the details?
But being
in Dharamsala surrounded by Tibetans and their culture, it would be
disrespectful not to take the time to learn and understand why they are here. So I went to the Tibetan Museum located in the
Tsuglakhang Complex. This complex houses the Central Tibetan Monastery, 2
temples and the sleeping quarters of the Dalai Lama. The first thing you see as
you enter this complex is a monument erected to commemorate the struggle,
fight, strength and will of the Tibetan people.
It is only fitting that the museum is directly across from it.
The
Tibetan Museum was the best way for me to learn about the specific, historical
details of the Chinese Occupation of Tibet while not getting to overwhelmed
with images. I learned so much from this museum and I’m not sure what I should
do from here on out?
I know I
can’t ‘hide’ from the world, especially when I want to help make it better. I
have to develop a tough skin so I can actually start ‘ACTING’ on my
compassion. Because as I was walking
through that museum reading the testimonies of these people and seeing the
treacherous journeys they had to endure…some of them facing amputation due to
frostbite and others escaping but still being sent back to Tibet and others
setting themselves on fire, I was compelled to get off of my butt and actually
stand behind what I believe. Stand behind my desire to help those that are in
need.
The
situation is so politically loaded that a solution is far beyond simple. I mean
you have the Chinese government who claims that Tibet is there land. While
there is historical evidence that Tibet has been a free, independent country
since the British attempted to control it in the 1930's. They had their own postal
system, passports, stamps, flag and currency. None of which had any Chinese
symbols, emblems or presence. They were
a people who were functioning on their own sufficiently without the need for
foreign assistance. They even had politicians traveling to the UK, United
States and India to establish trade relations. And that all ended in 1951.
Whats even
crazier is that the Tibetan 13th Dalai Lama predicted that this
would happen and despite the efforts of the VFF, the Volunteer Freedom Fighters, the
Dalai Lama’s prophecy came true. I sat
there and wondered how could such a thing happen in the world? How could any
genocide and intentional eradication of a culture happen in the world? I
received a hypothesis from one of the curators of the Tibetan Museum. She
suggested that it could be due to the karma of the Tibetan people. But the way
she phrased it was in no way placing blame on the Tibetans themselves (which
would be kind of weird considering that she is Tibetan herself), but rather as
a coping mechanism. A way to possibly help Tibetans to see a little light at
the end of the tunnel. In saying that it could be a result of karma, the
Tibetans would have hope that it will pass. All karma must manifest and just
like a fire it will burn out. It will fade away and the sun will rise.
But the
question still arises, what should be done? What should the world do about this
event that is beyond tragic, beyond an atrocity? What does someone like me do?
A person with no political pull or any power? How do I help?
