The Tibetan Community

Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhism are inextricably linked. In the West, whilst many would proclaim to have some religious affiliation, Tibetan people – young and old, male and female - live and breathe Buddhism every day.

As much as a general philosophy as it is a religion, Buddhism holds appeal to many. Acceptance of others, love, compassion, as of course, peace to all sentient beings - all pretty cool stuff.

Although in India, McLeod Ganj boasts a large Tibetan community and is often known as "Little Lhasa". Indeed, there are more Tibetans than Indians in the village. As home to the Dalai Lama, many Tibetan refugees flock here from religious and political persecution. This contrasts with Lhasa which boasts as many Han Chinese as it does Tibetans. The Ganj is also the centre for the Tibetan Government in Exile.

As the World is now pretty much well aware, Tibetans have faced cultural genocide since the Chinese invasion and colonisation of their land in 1949. The behaviour of the Chinese has broken all sense of human rights and simple humanitarian decency.

Very much aware of the dangers his people have faced, Dalai Lama has dedicated his time not only travelling the World to highlight their plight, single-handedly developed a Government in Exile, but perhaps most importantly, has also done much to preserve what remains of the Tibetan culture. The projects at TIPA- The Tibetan Institute of the Performing Arts and the Norbulingka Institute are outstanding example of this – teaching, educating and training artisans in dance, drama, music and cultural handicrafts.

This does not mean that Tibetan life and culture can´t develop and move on however. In recent speeches, Dalai Lama has asked Tibetans to throw out old superstitions and prepare to be 21st Century global citizens.

Every Tibetan in the village has a tragic story to tell. I have been grateful to work as a teacher of English conversation classes for Gu Chu Sum – a charity for Tibetan refugees, and my students like Rinchen and Panden provided me with interesting first-hand insights - as well as sharing family stories and good food; friends as well as students.

all have a story to tell

The students have all oozed enthusiasm, as much for the company as for developing English skills. Although my true “environment” is in Early Years classrooms teaching across many curricular areas, i have still thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it has further enriched my stay in The Ganj.

The World has a moral obligation to preserve all its beauty. How can i not feel so disappointed that the World has done so little for the Tibetan people? Time is running out and the World needs to take action now.

Fortunately, we are all in a position to help. Wear the Tibetan flag and talk about it to others to highlight Tibet´s plight. Boycott all Chinese goods. Write to your leaders, both local and National asking for them to take a moral stance on Tibet. Write to Obama demanding an end to China´s colonization. Petition China demanding it stops human rights abuses in Tibet.

All "great" empires eventually fall (and if nothing else, doesn´t Buddhism constantly remind us that nothing is permanent?) – Greeks, Romans, Hapsburgs, Nazis et al. Take comfort in the fact the PRC is in the process of dying as i write and it will eventually be usurped. I just wish it would hurry up.