Bhod Rangzen

Profile: The Dalai Lama.

2011-10-25T04:18:00.000-07:00

Found this great link today...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12700331

Join Free Tibet.

2011-10-10T02:47:00.000-07:00

Photograph: Anna Mathers, McLeod Ganj. 2010.

For so long Tibetan people have suffered in silence for fear of inprisonment or torture at the hands of the Chinese Government. But reading recent news stories, it seems that enough is enough. In the last 6 months 7 monks have set themselves on fire in Tibet in a bid to draw global attention to their campaign.

It now seems that many more young Tibetan people are wiling to do the same. "This is one of the worlds greatest and longest standing human rights crisis". But what is being done to stop it. China is such a powerful and controling country. It may seem like there is nothing we can do, but there is. Go to the Free Tibet website. Sign the petition to Party Secretary of Sichuan, Liu Qibao. Make him change China's policy. Tell your family and friends. Make a donation. Join Free Tibet.

Tutu for Tibet!

2011-10-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

Desmond Tutu speaks out forcefully for Tibet

From http://www.freetibet.org/

Desmond Tutu today sharply criticised the South African government for bowing to Chinese pressure and failing to support Tibetans who are "viciously oppressed by the Chinese".

Mr Tutu criticised his government for dragging its feet over granting a visa for the Dalai Lama to visit South Africa for the occasion of Mr Tutu's 80th birthday celebrations. The delays in issuing the visa, believed by critics of the government including Mr Tutu to have been as a result of Chinese government pressure, have led to the Dalai Lama cancelling his visit to South Africa.

China is South Africa's largest export market and has just agreed a £1.6 billion investment programme with South Africa.

Tibet's Next Incarnation...

2011-10-03T03:02:00.000-07:00

43 year old Lobsang Sangay has been sworn in as Head of Tibetan Government in Excile.

Read more...

The Seven Wonders of the Buddhist World.

2011-08-26T03:11:00.000-07:00

Watched this the other night.... really interesting. Was a bit disappointed that Sarnath wasn't included or anything about the Dalia Lama, but still worth a watch as it has a really clear explanation of some of the key aspects of Buddhism.

The Seven Wonders of the Buddhist World

Hey.. Remember Cornershop?

2011-08-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

The situation inside Tibet must be exposed.

2011-08-18T08:22:00.000-07:00

This is Tsewang Norbu, also known as Norko. On Monday 15th August 2011, he set himself on fire. He has died as a result of his injuries.

Tsewang Norbu drank petrol, sprayed himself with petrol and then set himself on fire. He was heard calling out: “We Tibetan people want freedom”, “Long live the Dalai Lama” and “Let the Dalai Lama Return to Tibet”. He is believed to have died at the scene.

Today, Free Tibet decided to publish the shocking image of Tsewang.

Free Tibet Director Stephanie Brigden said:

“It can only be assumed that part of Tsewang Norbu’s motivation behind his desperate act was to draw international attention to the deepening crisis in Tibet, and for this reason Free Tibet has decided to release this deeply shocking photograph of Tsewang’s charred body still in flames. Tsewang set fire to himself in a public place in Tawu town in front of a well-known Tibetan shop. The image has been distributed at great risk.

Given the terrible suffering Tsewang must have endured and the risks taken to distribute the image, Free Tibet is using its global media contacts to circulate the image to help expose the situation inside Tibet. This one shocking image exposes how desperate some Tibetans feel. Governments around the world must stop ignoring the suffering, stop simply paying lip-service to the need for human rights in Tibet and start matching rhetoric with real and actual pressure on China for a solution to the crisis inside Tibet.”

Please be aware that the following link contains a graphic image of Tsewang's body on fire.

http://www.freetibet.org/node/2350

Big chill - Tagged!

2011-08-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

Obama and the highest Lama

2011-07-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

President Obama met with the Dalai Lama on Saturday 16 July and expressed his concerns over human rights issues in Tibet.

See full story...

About Bhod Rangzen...

2011-07-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

Hey, Thanks for taking the time to check out Bhod Rangzen.

If you've got this far, it's probably because you've been lucky enough to find a unique and handmade tag. Most of them are made using Yak wool from the Indian Himalayas, so it's origins have travelled far. I hope you like it and tell your friends about it and what it represents.

Bhod Rangzen is Tibetan for 'Independence for Tibet'. It is what many Tibetan people shout during their peaceful demonstrations against the Chinese occupation of their country.

Last year, after several months of travelling around India, I found myself in a small town in the north of the country called McLeod Ganj. Here I met many Tibetan Refugees.

I was aware of the Free Tibet campaign but had no idea what it really stood for. It wasn't long before I began volunteering at a school which taught English to Tibetans and raised funds to help Tibetan people. It was here that I heard their terrifying stories about their escape from their homeland on foot through the Himalayas, and their hopes to one day return.

I felt moved by the kindness and warmth I felt from many of the people I met and was compelled to do 'something' to help.

But it was really hard. For a long time after returning to the UK I felt helpless. It's such a huge and complicated, political mess. But what I did realise is that many people are like me... In the way that they are aware that there is a 'Free Tibet' campaign but don't really know anything about it or how they can help.

So Bhod Rangzen has come about with the help of my very talented friend, Jenny (Who does most of the crocheting) in a bid to help raise awareness and somehow work towards taking a few more small steps to a free Tibet. If this post is the only post you read, then thanks for taking time to get this far. If you would like to know more please go to the links at the end of the page.

Thanks
Anna