More self-immolations

[DharmaDefender]

Two more Tibetans self-immolate:

Dharamsala, May 28 (PTI) The Central Tibetan Administration has expressed its concern over the self- immolation of two Tibetans in Lhasa. The two Tibetans, identified as Dhargye and Dorjee Tseten from the northeastern Tibet's Ngaba and Labrang area, had set themselves on fire yesterday in front of Jokhang temple. "No matter how the Chinese government attempts to present the self-immolations to the international community, such explanation will be met with deep scepticism so long as access to Tibetan areas, particularly where self-immolations took place, is denied to impartial observers...," said Minister Dicki Chhoyang of the Department of Information and International Relations. Meanwhile, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama returned to Dharamsala after his European trip. In the coming weeks, the Dalai is scheduled to give his annual Buddhist teachings to Tibetan youngsters followed by a special introductory Buddhist teaching. The teachings will be held at the TCV auditorium at the request of Tibetan youth. The Tibetan spiritual leader will also conduct another three days of teachings on introductory Buddhist teachings at the main Tibetan temple in Mcleod Ganj.

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/tibetan-admin-express-concerns-over-twin-selfimmolations/1004388.html

Well thats two fewer Tibetans for the Chinese to worry about... at this rate, the Chinese wont have to suppress the Tibetans any further. Between the self-immolations and ostracising one another, the Tibetans are destroying themselves pretty well.

I just wish the CTA would focus more on commenting about the Tibetans who continue to live and suffer under their care, than commenting on people who gave their lives up for a lost cause.

[Benny]

As Dharmadefender puts it : "I just wish the CTA would focus more on commenting about the Tibetans who continue to live and suffer under their care, than commenting on people who gave their lives up for a lost cause."
This only goes to show that the CTA exists only for its own political survival and was never in first place , interested at all about the Tibetan people .

Well I guess that they don't have anything good to highlight that everytime there is such a tragedy they seem to capitalise on it . It is sad to see this happening , when everyone in the whole wide world is already so jaded with this issue that we hardly bat an eyelid.

More so for the Chinese , as it is it is already over populated so for there to be less Tibetans would be good news to the Chinese.

[Ensapa]

This is hilarious that TG said that Tibet should be returned to the Tibetans -- so that more Tibetans can die? CTA has again and again proved themselves to be an absolute failure and completely disconnected from not just the whole world, but also from their own community as well. With a government like that, how and what can be done for the people and to take care of them?

The only reason why the CTA does not stop the self immolations or say anything to stop them is very, very simple: they love the media attention that these self immolations are generating for them, despite many, many people who have burned themselves, thinking that their sacrifice would pressure china into handing tibet back to the CTA...which will never happen.

Obviously, between actually caring for the Tibetans and implementing the ban, implementing the ban sounds and appears to be the easier task to the CTA. Wrong move CTA!! When you dont behave like a government, there is no chance for you to take back tibet...for what purpose? so that more people will suffer as a result of an incompetent government? this is ridiculous indeed.

If a government cannot even stop their citizens from doing something so self destructive to themselves and their own community as every time this happens the family members and community of where the self immolator resides will be subjected to searches and interrogations. Does the CTA care? not at all. they just hope for more so that they get more attention from the media.

[icy]

"Sangay expresses concern over self-immolations in Tibet
PTI | 01:06 AM,Jun 03,2012
Dharamsala/Shimla, Jun 2 (PTI) Prime Minister of Tibetan government-in-exile Lobsang Sangay has expressed concerns over "unabated" self-immolations by Tibetans in Tibet. "As the self-immolations continue unabated inside Tibet, we Tibetans-in-exile are ever more concerned about the policies of the Chinese government in Tibet," Sangay said at a special prayer service held to mourn them. "We are holding this prayer service to pay homage to those who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet and console their family members," he said. All the Kalons and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration as well as the heads of various governmental and non-governmental organisations attended the prayer service which was presided over by Kirti Rinpoche, the head lama of the Kirti Monastery. Referring to the support extended by many world leaders and Nobel Laureates for the cause, Sangay urged Tibetans to continue to highlight the grim situation prevailing inside Tibet. Since 2009, 38 Tibetans have set themselves on fire calling for more freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama to the land, Tibetan officials said. Out of these, 29 died and the remaining nine were either seriously injured or their whereabouts are still unknown. PTI PCL"

These are the plights of Tibetans in China wanting freedom from China.  It is sad they use their precious human body for self-immolation to fight this cause.  I believe this is sinful and is sacrilege to their precious human life which is full of great potential for developing enlightenment within this life if not within the next few life times if they are zealous lots.  Would not this be more meaningful and beneficial way to bring benefit to mankind and make Tibetans proud?  Moreover this would cause great respect and recognition by China and the whole world what Tibetans are capable of and brings affirmation to history and not fairly tales.  Thus, bringing faith in Tibetan Buddhism and liberating many as well as gaining freedom to practise in China/Tibet, making Buddhism to flourish and most likely regain Tibet their motherland.

We love you Tibetans and we are in empathy of your plights but you must also heed logical reasons and have long-sightedness in your cause and endeavours.  You must not succumb to short-term views and harm your precious human body.  Have faith and rely in the great protector Dorje Shugden who is swift and powerful to fulfill your every wish for He is none other than the Wisdom Buddha. 

[dondrup]

Another two precious human lives were wasted!  How unfortunate!

I believe there are better alternatives than self-immolation.  So far China has not been moved by these sacrifices.  However, these self-immolations had instead created more difficulties for the Tibetans in China.  CTA and the World can only observe the occurrences of these self-immolations. But has any concrete action been taken by the international communities to help the Tibetans with their cause?  It seems like none.  Is China too strong a country to meddle with now?  It probably was as far as the international communities are concerned.

[vajratruth]

What I would really like to know is what stance the CTA takes over this problem of people self immolating for the political cause. Unless I am mistaken, there has been no real and effective efforts made by the CTA or any of its leaders to stop Tibetans from taking their own lives over the China-Tibet issue. I searched around and the closest I get is this statement made by the Kalon Tripa which reads to me, to be more aimed at making political hay:

Prime Minister of Tibetan government-in-exile Lobsang Sangay has expressed concerns over "unabated" self-immolations by Tibetans in Tibet.

"As the self-immolations continue unabated inside Tibet, we Tibetans-in-exile are ever more concerned about the policies of the Chinese government in Tibet," Sangay said at a special prayer service held to mourn them.

"We are holding this prayer service to pay homage to those who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet and console their family members," he said.

All the Kalons and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration as well as the heads of various governmental and non-governmental organisations attended the prayer service which was presided over by Kirti Rinpoche, the head lama of the Kirti Monastery.

Referring to the support extended by many world leaders and Nobel Laureates for the cause, Sangay urged Tibetans to continue to highlight the grim situation prevailing inside Tibet.

Since 2009, 38 Tibetans have set themselves on fire calling for more freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama to the land, Tibetan officials said.

Out of these, 29 died and the remaining nine were either seriously injured or their whereabouts are still unknown.

http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_sangay-expresses-concern-over-self-immolations-in-tibet_1697438

Unless I am mistaken, there has been no proper and consistent measures taken by CTA or even HHDL to stop people from sacrificing their lives. I cannot help but wonder if the sinister and manipulative hand of politics is in this self immolations.

Can anyone shed some light?

[DharmaDefender]

Another two precious human lives were wasted!  How unfortunate!

I believe there are better alternatives than self-immolation.  So far China has not been moved by these sacrifices.  However, these self-immolations had instead created more difficulties for the Tibetans in China.  CTA and the World can only observe the occurrences of these self-immolations. But has any concrete action been taken by the international communities to help the Tibetans with their cause?  It seems like none.  Is China too strong a country to meddle with now?  It probably was as far as the international communities are concerned.

Thats kind of you dondrup. My first thought was well, thats two less Tibetans for China to worry about.

I dont mean to be a wanker but seriously, why should China care that another two Tibetans died when they have 1.6 billion others to worry about? In any case, according to the CTA, the Chinese killed 2 million people during and after their invasion... so whats another two who killed themselves?! If the Chinese were not moved after the death of 2 million Tibetans to give their country back to them, why should they be moved by two more deaths?

And if their doing this for publicitys sake, why should the world be moved by two more deaths, if the previous 2 million were not enough? Have the famine-related deaths in Africa been enough to move the hearts of the world to do something about poverty and famine? No so what's the difference with two more?

Jesus Christ CTA get your act together and get real. Stop being proud of the fact your people are killing themselves needlessly and applauding them as martyrs. The real martyrs are the ones who are stoically continuing with their practice no matter that obstacles YOU create for them.

[Ensapa]

"Sangay expresses concern over self-immolations in Tibet
PTI | 01:06 AM,Jun 03,2012
Dharamsala/Shimla, Jun 2 (PTI) Prime Minister of Tibetan government-in-exile Lobsang Sangay has expressed concerns over "unabated" self-immolations by Tibetans in Tibet. "As the self-immolations continue unabated inside Tibet, we Tibetans-in-exile are ever more concerned about the policies of the Chinese government in Tibet," Sangay said at a special prayer service held to mourn them. "We are holding this prayer service to pay homage to those who have sacrificed their lives for Tibet and console their family members," he said. All the Kalons and officials of the Central Tibetan Administration as well as the heads of various governmental and non-governmental organisations attended the prayer service which was presided over by Kirti Rinpoche, the head lama of the Kirti Monastery. Referring to the support extended by many world leaders and Nobel Laureates for the cause, Sangay urged Tibetans to continue to highlight the grim situation prevailing inside Tibet. Since 2009, 38 Tibetans have set themselves on fire calling for more freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama to the land, Tibetan officials said. Out of these, 29 died and the remaining nine were either seriously injured or their whereabouts are still unknown. PTI PCL"

These are the plights of Tibetans in China wanting freedom from China.  It is sad they use their precious human body for self-immolation to fight this cause.  I believe this is sinful and is sacrilege to their precious human life which is full of great potential for developing enlightenment within this life if not within the next few life times if they are zealous lots.  Would not this be more meaningful and beneficial way to bring benefit to mankind and make Tibetans proud?  Moreover this would cause great respect and recognition by China and the whole world what Tibetans are capable of and brings affirmation to history and not fairly tales.  Thus, bringing faith in Tibetan Buddhism and liberating many as well as gaining freedom to practise in China/Tibet, making Buddhism to flourish and most likely regain Tibet their motherland.

We love you Tibetans and we are in empathy of your plights but you must also heed logical reasons and have long-sightedness in your cause and endeavours.  You must not succumb to short-term views and harm your precious human body.  Have faith and rely in the great protector Dorje Shugden who is swift and powerful to fulfill your every wish for He is none other than the Wisdom Buddha. 

Sigh...these kinds of statements again. Lobsang Sanggay is really not interested in the Tibetans, neither does he love them enough to care about their plight. If he would have, he would obviously plead the Tibetans to stop sacrificing their lives for a lost cause, something that will never bear fruit and all they are doing is making their family members and their community suffer.

It is time for the Tibetans to face the truth, that China is 1) not as bad as they think it is, 2) China is far more powerful than they can ever imagine and 3) no matter what scare tactics or whatever pressure they try to exert on China to get Tibet back, that will never work because China is a very old and big nation who actually has unbiased histories which they can draw knowledge from.

His statement is actually very very sneaky. On one hand, he says he is concerned but then holds prayers for the victims of self immolation, which in a way reinforces these acts as some of these people are not really doing this for the freedom of Tibet but for recognition from the CTA. His last sentence actually promotes the act of self immolation by glorifying it subtly.

Him saying that the self immolation is a testament to China's injustice towards the Tibetans is actually a call to action for the Tibetans to continue to immolate themselves. No government in the world encourages their citizens to immolate themselves for whatever reason but here we see CTA doing this. How will they ever get Tibet back if they do not behave like a proper government?

[brian]

Another two precious human lives were wasted!  How unfortunate!

I believe there are better alternatives than self-immolation.  So far China has not been moved by these sacrifices.  However, these self-immolations had instead created more difficulties for the Tibetans in China.  CTA and the World can only observe the occurrences of these self-immolations. But has any concrete action been taken by the international communities to help the Tibetans with their cause?  It seems like none.  Is China too strong a country to meddle with now?  It probably was as far as the international communities are concerned.

Thats kind of you dondrup. My first thought was well, thats two less Tibetans for China to worry about.

I dont mean to be a wanker but seriously, why should China care that another two Tibetans died when they have 1.6 billion others to worry about? In any case, according to the CTA, the Chinese killed 2 million people during and after their invasion... so whats another two who killed themselves?! If the Chinese were not moved after the death of 2 million Tibetans to give their country back to them, why should they be moved by two more deaths?

And if their doing this for publicitys sake, why should the world be moved by two more deaths, if the previous 2 million were not enough? Have the famine-related deaths in Africa been enough to move the hearts of the world to do something about poverty and famine? No so what's the difference with two more?

Jesus Christ CTA get your act together and get real. Stop being proud of the fact your people are killing themselves needlessly and applauding them as martyrs. The real martyrs are the ones who are stoically continuing with their practice no matter that obstacles YOU create for them.

CTA is better off going to concentrate on how to win back Tibet and the hearts of its people rather than still continuing to harm the innocent Dorje Shugden practitoners who have all but prevailed so far in their spiritual endeavours. CTA need to stop feeling proud of themselves and just let more of Tibetans killing themselves to make their voices heard. It is a sign of an incapable government rite? And by way of killing themselves to make China feel sorry and globally pressured is a wrong idea, see how 2 millions of Tibetan being killed so far. China's previous track record includes the mass killing of university students who protested against the government during the 90s. I mean you are talking to tyrants! So what's next??

[samayakeeper]

I do not condone what these people have done and my heart goes out to those who are fighting for a cause. But does the CTA care for those who suffered and still suffering like Shugden practitioners? Are there human beings in the CTA or robots with no compassion? So much time and effort spent on putting down Dorje Shugden and the practice whereas they may be put into good use to really care for the Tibetan people. The people in the CTA have no compassion and are treating Shugden practitioners as pariahs. The CTA is a bully and a bigger pariah.

[Vajraprotector]

2 more cases again I wonder what would really make these people stop self-immolation. It is a courageous act, but China's heart is made of steel and will just make a harsher clamp down.

Breaking: Two Tibetans self-immolate calling for Tibet’s independence Phayul[Wednesday, June 20, 2012 17:28]

Ngawang Norphel and Tenzin Khedup raise Tibetan national flags as flames rise from their bodies. Zatoe, Keygudo June 20, 2012.DHARAMSHALA, June 20: In reports coming out of Tibet, two young Tibetans set themselves on fire today in Zatoe town of Keygudo, Kham, eastern Tibet calling for Tibet’s independence and long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Ngawang Norphel, 22 and Tenzin Khedup, 24, set themselves ablaze at about 3.30 pm (local time).

Both of them were carrying Tibetan national flags in their hands at the time of their self-immolation protest.

Tenzin Khedup passed away in his fiery protest while the condition and whereabouts of Ngawang Norphel is not yet known.

Confirming the reports, Jamyang Soepa, a member of the standing committee of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile said that the two young Tibetans set themselves ablaze calling for Tibet’ independence.

“Ngawang Norphel and Tenzin Khedup called for independence and freedom in Tibet and the long-life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama before setting themselves on fire,” Soepa said citing sources.

In images received by exile Tibetans, huge flames and black smoke could be seen bellowing up from their bodies, lying on the road next to parked cars and motorbikes.

Ngawang Norphel, 22 and Tenzin Khedup, 24In a 7-second video clip of their self-immolation protest, Ngawang Norphel and Tenzin Khedup could be seen standing next to each other and raising the ‘banned in Tibet’ Tibetan National just before fire envelopes their bodies. While one of them immediately falls down on the ground, the second self-immolator trips and then stands up to run for a few metres before falling down.

According to reports, Tenzin Khedup is from Tridu in Keygudo. His parents are Legdup and Kyizom. Ngawang Norphel is believed to be from Ngaba, the region which remains the nerve centre of the ongoing wave of self-immolations in Tibet.

Earlier this year, on February 8, Sonam Rabyang, a monk in his late thirties from the La Monastery in Tridu, set himself ablaze on the main road of La Township, Tridu County, Keygudo. Sonam Rabyang’s condition and whereabouts remain unknown.

With Tenzin Khedup and Ngawang Norphel’s self-immolation protests today, as many as 42 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since 2009, demanding the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama from exile and freedom in Tibet.

From: http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=31621&article=Breaking%3a+Two+Tibetans+self-immolate+calling+for+Tibet%e2%80%99s+independence
 

[Gabby Potter]

I'm sorry to say so but personally I find this kind of extreme actions very meaningless, because there's nothing we can do after we are dead, we all know that it's not going to save the situation or make it any better. It's better when we are alive than dead because at least we can do something  to help lift the ban.