Source : phayul.com

DHARAMSHALA, June 8: In an open call for solidarity with Tibet, an international group of parliamentarians today called upon lawmakers all over the world to observe June 20 as “Parliamentary Solidarity Day for Tibet.”

The International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet, a global network of democratically elected representatives of the people, is initiating the campaign.

“In view of the human rights crisis faced by the Tibetan people, the International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet calls on parliamentarians worldwide to observe a “Parliamentary Solidarity Day for Tibet” on 20 June, 2012,” the group said in a release.

DHARAMSHALA, May 30: A mother of three young children has torched herself to death in an apparent protest against China’s continued occupation of Tibet, today. Rikyo, 33, set herself on fire near the Jonang Zamthang Gonchen monastery in Zamthang (Ch: Rangtang) county, in the distraught Ngaba region, the nerve centre of the ongoing wave of self-immolations in Tibet.

Speaking to Phayul, Tsangyang Gyatso, an exile Tibetan who has close contacts in the region said that Rikyo passed away at the site of her self-immolation protest. “Rikyo set herself on fire at around 3 pm (local time) today close to the Jonang Monastery, protesting against Chinese rule,” Gyatso said. “She passed away at the site of her protest.” Rikyo’s body is currently being kept at the Jonang Monastery, although Chinese security personnel have reportedly demanded the body to be removed.

Source : phayul.com

DHARAMSHALA, May 28: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed a rally of over 10,000 people in Vienna Saturday afternoon. He was joined on the stage at Vienna's historic Heldenplatz (Heroe’s Square) by Tibet’s elected leader, Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay.

Speaking from a stand emblazoned with the words "Tibet needs you now", the Dalai Lama began by speaking in Tibetan to underscore the “threat” to Tibetan culture in Tibet.

Source: phayul.com

By Vishal Gulati, IANS

Dharamsala, May 28: “He’s my boss,” the Dalai Lama said last week of Tibetian Prime Minister-in-exile Lobsang Sangay, adding: “Although, when it comes to spiritual affairs, I’m still his boss.”

He made the remark while introducing Sangay, democratically elected to the office last year, to the press in Austrian capital Vienna.

“This young man was born in India, but completed his education at Harvard University,” he said.

“Since the Tibetan prime minister was first elected in 2001, I have been semi-retired. But after Lobsang Sangay was elected last year, I thought the time was right. So I retired completely and handed my political responsibilities to him,” he added.

Source : phayul.com

DHARAMSHALA, May 28: Various sources in exile as well the Chinese official news agencies are now confirming earlier reports of a twin self-immolation protest in Tibet’s capital Lhasa yesterday.

According to reports received by Phayul, a 19-year-old Tibetan identified as Dorjee Tseten, along with his friend, an unidentified 25-year old male set themselves on fire in front of the historic Jokhang Temple in an apparent protest against the Chinese government.

Dorjee Tseten is feared dead while there is no information on the well being and whereabouts of the other Tibetan.

Speaking to Phayul, Sonam Gyatso, a monk at the Drepung Gomang Monastery in south India said that the two Tibetans had booked a room near the Jokhang Temple, one of the most holy shrines in Tibet, preparing for their protest.

Source : tibet.net, May 25th 2012

Vienna, Austria, 25 May, 2012 - Before leaving Yeunten Ling, on another bright morning, His Holiness expressed a wish to visit the new statue of the Buddha in the garden below the temple. After he had paid his respects, the institute staff saw him off and he drove to Liège airport for the flight to Vienna. On arrival he drove to his hotel where Prof. Heinz Nussbaumer met him and immediately escorted him to a meeting with the press. They were joined by the Kalon Tripa, Dr Lobsang Sangay, who has been invited to Vienna to address the European Solidarity Rally for Tibet tomorrow and His Holiness introduced him to the assembled journalists.

“This young man was born in India, but completed his education at Harvard University. Since the Tibetan leader was first elected in 2001, I have been semi-retired, but after Lobsang Sangay was elected last year, I thought the time was right, so I retired completely and handed my political responsibilities to him, so now he's my boss – although when it comes to spiritual affairs, I'm still his boss!”His Holiness began by outlining his two major commitments: that as a human being like the other seven billion on the planet, who want to be happy and have a right to be happy, he is committed to helping others find lasting happiness. Secondly, as a simple Buddhist monk he tries to promote harmony and understanding among different religious traditions. He said that it is very sad when religion becomes a ground for conflict, considering that all the major religions have the potential to help humanity.