What’s the deal with Tibet??

1. What’s the deal with Tibet??

2. Overview • History • Current situation in Tibet • Living in Exile • Why is this featuring at Limmud Oz • Tibetan Jewish Youth Exchange

3. Where is Tibet? (Ask China)

4. Tibet according to Tibetans

5. The Golden Age 7th Century – Songsten Gampo • Independent Kingdom • Great military power • Huge empire in Central Asia • Promoted Buddhism • Tibetan bride, Nepalese Consort and then Chinese bride – Princess Wencheng.

6. Next King King Trisong Detsen (755-97) • Tibetan army at peak • Invaded China and several Central Asian countries. • 763 – invaded Chinese capital (present day Xian) • Banished Chinese Buddhism from Tibet and established Indian form.

7. What goes up must come down • Warring princes, lords and generals contending for the throne • Dark period from 842 – 1247.

8. Lest we forget the Mongols • Mongols invaded most of Asia and parts of Europe, also reached Tibet. • The ruling Khan converted to Buddhism and invading force withdrew. • A Khan gave recognition of full sovereignty over three provinces in Tibet. • Different lineages ruled Tibet from 1295 - 1695

9. Dalai Lama – The Ocean of Wisdom • Sonam Gyatso, 1543 emerged as a great scholar of spiritual wisdom. • Founded monasteries, mediated between warring factions in Tibet and converted another Khan to Buddhism.

10. Priest-Patron relationship • 1642, 5th Lama assumed spiritual and temporal authority over Tibet. • Established present system of Tibetan government. • Ming Emporer received Dalai Lama as an independent sovereign and as an equal. • Dalai Lama influenced Mongols to acknowledge Emperors sway in China.

11. All good things must come to an end….again! • 6th Dalai Lama was an embarrassment – was not interested in state affairs and lead a frivolous life. • After his death (1705), civil war. • Struggle between various Mongols and Manchu dynasty as to who could exercise their influence over Tibet. • 1720 – Manchus victorious.

12. Manchus in Tibet • 1723 - Troops left Tibet, some officials left behind. • Kham and Amdo incorporated into China • 1727 – Troops re-entered due to killing of Manchu nominee of Tibetan regent. • 1749 – Invasion of Tibet to increase power of Manchu Resident. • 1786 – Ghurkas (Nepal) invaded Tibet. • 1792 – Manchus army enters (again).

13. Our favourite Imperialists - the British • Britain had close ties with China. • 1876 – Sino-British convention. • Russian contacts in 1900. • 1904 – British invaded Tibet. • Dalai Lama fled to Mongolia. • China capitalised on the opportunity and interfered once again!

14. 1911-12 Chinese revolution • Manchus overthrown in China • Tibetans overthrew Chinese and expelled in 1912. • Apology from Chinese President • Dalai Lama declared Tibet’s independence

15. The Invasion • 1950 – China invaded East Tibet. • May 1951 – Famous 17 point agreement. • September 1951- 20 000 troops entered Lhasa.

16. 1951 - 59 • Tibetan government continued. • Liberating serfs was not a priority • 1955 – ‘Religion is poison’ • Land reform implemented in Kham and Amdo. • 1956 – unrest due to land reform. • 1959 – Lhasa uprising, • Dalai Lama flees • 87 000 Tibetans killed

17. Cultural revolution time • Secular education introduced • 6000 monasteries destroyed • Estimated 1.2 million died?

18. Negotiations • Early 1980’s with Deng Xiaoping – open invitation for Tibetan refugees to return from exile. • 1989 – Invitation to attend Panchen Lama’s funeral in Beijing. • Now – negotiations have receded. • Autonomy vs. Independance

19. Today • Most religious freedoms officially restored • Economic reform, but not political • PRC claims improvements from Tibetan feudalism. • Campaigning for improved human rights

20. Today • Demographic change • Schooling system • Chinese vs. Tibetan language • Cultural, religious and social subjects at school. • “patriotic re-education” • Unemployment

21. Human Rights • Chinese say ‘improvements since 1950’s’ • Currently 700 political prisoners • Block of Human Rights Organisations • Kidnapping of Panchen Lama • Lack of: • Freedom of Speech • Movement and travel • Expression • Assembly

22. Where is the Galut? • India = 85 000 • Nepal = 14 000 • USA & Canada = 7000 • Bhutan = 1600 • Switzerland = 1540 • Taiwan = 1000 • Europe = 740 • Oz and NZ = 220

23. Nationalism in Exile • Language • Flag • Anthem • ‘Tashi Delek’

24. Dharamsala • Little Lhasa • Government in exile • Head of state – DL • Income – voluntary tax, business revenue • Indian Registration Certificates

25. Central Tibetan Administration • Health services, cultural activities and economic development projects. • Tibetan Children’s Villages • Welfare services for refugees • 2001 – democratically elected PM

26. Refugees • 1000 per year • Via Nepal • Illegally

27. Arduous journey

28. Now, the Jewish Connection • Destruction of Religion • Threat to identity • Living in Exile • Minority in home land? • Greater Tibet?

29. Tibetan Jewish Youth Exchange Aim: Strengthen identities of Jewish and Tibetan youth Formed in 2000 Jewish model of informal education www.tjye.org.uk

30. Longsho – ‘Rise Up’

31. Tibetan Jews?!!

32. Chanichim

33. Israeli Friends of the Tibetan People • Museum expertise • Child sponsorship • Arava project • International Tibet Support Network • http://tibet.realcommerce.co.il/eng_home.htm

34. Thank you