contact january 2012

By Sophie JayHis Holiness the Dalai

Lama was awarded an honorarydoctorate from a Russianuniversity following his annualteachings for RussianBuddhists on Wednesday,December 21.

Telo Rinpoche, thespiritual leader of Russianrepublic Kalmykia, presentedthe doctorate to His Holinessin recognition of his‘outstanding contribution to freedom,human rights, religious harmony andenvironmental protection’ on behalf ofthe Tuva State University, at the MainTemple in front of delighted onlookers.

Referring to the occasions onwhich His Holiness was denied a visaby the Russian government, TeloRinpoche said: ‘For the past manyyears, we made every possible effortto prepare the Dalai Lama’s visit toRussia, but, with many unfortunateconditions, we have faced manydifficulties.

‘We need to hear more teachingsfrom His Holiness.’

The Tibetan spiritual leader

thanked the dignitaries from the Ministryof The Education and Science of TheRussian Federation, Federal StateEducation Institute - Tuva StateUniversity, for their stand on human rightsand values, adding: ‘I have visited Tuvaonce and learnt of the Tuva people’s greatinterest in Buddhism. Tuva has long-standing strong cultural ties to Tibet.

‘However, in recent years due topolitical reasons, I couldn’t visit Tuva.’

The three day teaching, whichincluded an introduction to Buddhism andGeshe Langri Thangpa’s Eight Verses ofTraining the Mind, attracted over 6,500devotees including more than 1,300Russians and over 1,000 disciples from

Russian ladies greet His Holiness with khatags.Picture courtesy of Phayul.

Tibet, as well as visitors from Taiwan, Korea,The USA, Europe and India.

His Holiness will conduct his 32nd

Kalachakra initiation in Bodhgaya betweenJanuary 1 - 10. The event is expected toattract over 200,000 devotees.

His Holiness receives Russian University doctorate

International devotees listen to the teachings atthe Main Temple. Picture courtesy of the Tibet Post.

By Catherine McLennanThe twenty-second anniversary

of His Holiness the Dalai Lamareceiving the Nobel Peace Prize wascelebrated at the Main Temple, McLeodGanj, on December 10.

The Kalon Tripa (Tibetan PrimeMinister), Dr Lobsang Sangay,addressed an audience which includedschool children, families, monks andnuns, and peformers, as well aswesterners and the media.

The event was also attended bychief justice commissioner, NgawangPhelgyal Gyechen, and otherdignitaries and NGO representatives.

The evening before, in a coffee shopin McLeod Ganj, Tibetan monk and author,the Ven. Bagdro, spoke to me withenthusiasm about the new Kalon Tripa,describing him as ‘youthful andcharismatic.’

In his speech, Lobsang Sangayasked for the release of all Tibetan politicalprisoners whilst urging the Tibetanpeople to refrain from self-violence. Heacknowledged his concern and sympathyfor the 14 Tibetans who self-immolated in201, reminding the audience that forBuddhists all life is precious, andencouraged the Tibetan people tocontinue their movement through their

Tibetans celebrate Nobel Peace Prize anniversarysecular and monastic education. The KalonTripa thanked the Indian government forits ongoing kindness and hospitality to theTibetan people over the past five decades.He also thanked liberal Chinese intellectualswho have shown their support for thepeaceful Tibetan movement.

As an Australian I feel extremelyprivileged and humbled to have witnessedthis public ceremony dedicated to thepeaceful liberation of Tibetan soil and theTibetan people.

May we all be inspired to actionthrough talking to our own governmentsand friends in order to keep this peacefulmomentum alive and well.

Contact Magazine 2 January 2012Mob : 98161-50326 / www.yogatribe.org

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Contact Magazine 3 January 2012

Lha and Rotary distribute clothes in Lower DharamsalaOver 2000 items of clothing were

distr ibuted to people in LowerDharamsala’s slums on November 14.

McLeod Ganj NGO, Lha CharitableTrust, teamed up with the Rotary Club ofDharamsala to hand out some of thethousands of articles of clothing andshoes donated to Lha every year.

Lha redistributes these articles tothe Tibetan Refugee and Indiancommunities in Dharamsala through large-scale clothing distribution campaigns,which occur several times a year.

Each month, clothing donations ofbetween 100-200 items are made from Lhato the Rotary Club. On December 10th, tocommemorate the 22nd anniversary H.H.the Dalai Lama’s Nobel Peace Prize, Lhadistributed another 2,000 items to theTibetan community. Tibetans lined upoutside of Lha’s new building, AhimsaHouse, to wait for their turn to pick outsome items that suited them. Of thedonations, the shoes, sweaters and thewinter coats were the most sought after,with about 60 winter coats and 100 pairsof shoes and boots being picked out bythe individuals. The remaining articles of

clothing and shoes will be saved for thenext clothing distribution day, in the NewYear.

Most of the items are donated byvolunteers and visiting tourists, and arecollected at the Lha Office on TempleRoad. Additionally, Lha frequentlyreceives packages containing clothingand other donations from around theworld. So far over 25,000 articles ofclothing have been donated to both the

local Indian community and the TibetanRefugee community since this projectbegan in 2002.

If you are interested in contributingto Lha’s ongoing clothing drive, you canbring in donations of new or used clothingin good condition to the Lha Office. Shouldyou wish to contribute from abroad,donations can also be shipped to Lha atLha Office, Temple Road, McLeod Ganj –176219, Dharamsala, Distt. Kangra, India.

Lha staff and Rotarians hand out clothes and shoes in Lower Dharamsala.


McLeod Ganj meets World AIDS Day head onBy Katie Youtz

‘Today, on World AIDS Day 2011,we are raising awareness in Dharamsala.Please join us in our fight against HIV/AIDS!’

The call rang out in English,Tibetan, and Hindi in the Main Squareon December 1, as members of two localNGOs drew a crowd around their kiosksnear the bus stand.

Phuntsok Chomphel, projectmanager for CHOICE – an NGO dedicatedto AIDS awareness and supporting HIVpatients within the community, addressedbystanders with his megaphone. ‘Zeronew HIV infections and zero AIDS-relateddeaths is the theme for World AIDS Daythis year,’ he told Phayul.

‘Right now the number of AIDSpatients in the exiled Tibetan communityis being put at 49. However, I believe thenumber could be much higher.’

Representatives of CHOICE andKunphen - another Tibetan NGO workingto prevent AIDS in the exiled Tibetancommunity - manned information booths,distributed condoms and educationalmaterial, and engaged passersby indialogue about HIV awareness andprevention strategies.

‘We are trying to engage peopleand help them to see that there should beno discrimination towards people livingwith HIV/AIDS,’ said Tenzin Lekphel, ofKunphen. ‘We’re working with people tohelp them access medication andtreatment, and spreading awareness in allTibetan settlements and schools inIndia.’

Volunteers encouraged people toadd their names to an ongoing signaturecampaign, pledging to help meet theworldwide goal of ‘getting to zero’ in

Dharamsala. The groups estimate thatapproximately 83,000 Tibetan refugees inIndia could be categorised as a high-riskgroup for HIV infection due to highmobility, poverty, and lack of access tohealthcare facilities.

To highlight the issue, a group ofyoung people – friends of CHOICE andKunphen – marched towards the towncentre in costume, beating drums anddrawing spectators towards the MainSquare. A street play educated a growingaudience of locals and tourists alike aboutthe spread of HIV/AIDS and strategiesfor prevention.

‘It’s great that they’re doing thisout here in the Main Square,’ a foreignvolunteer told Contact as he watched theperformance. ‘It’s silly and fun, and I thinkit’s breaking the ice really well so peopledon’t feel so shy about this topic.’

The tactic appeared effective, asafter the performance groups of people

approached thekiosks requestinginformation, freecondoms, andmarkers to sign thepledge. As a newyear approaches,CHOICE andKunphen willcontinue to worktowards makingassistance availableto families in theDharamsala areaaffected by HIV/

AIDS, and spread awareness to eliminatediscrimination.

‘This kind of support not onlyensures better treatment but alsoimproves their quality of life,’ Chompheltold Phayul.

‘It enables them to feel accepted intheir society and gives them theconfidence to be a constructive part ofthe community.’

Campaigners dressed as condoms and syringes raise AIDS awareness in McLeodganj

Even McLeod Ganj’s canine residents wore red ribbons ontheir heads to express solidarity with people with HIV/AIDS.

Members of Tibet Theatre perform a stirringpiece on the effects of HIV/AIDS on families.


Exiled Tibetans defend self-immolaters’ actionsBy Sophie Jay

Self-immolation is ‘arguably one ofthe biggest expressions of oppression’according to a spokesman of Kirtimonastery in McLeod Ganj.

Kanyag Tsering, who spent nineyears as a monk at Kirti’s sister monasteryin Ngaba County in China’s Sichaunprovence - the epicentre of the spate ofself-immolations by Tibetans protestingChinese oppression in their homeland -added that the 14 monks, nuns and laymanwere ‘compelled’ to set themselves alight,even if their actions temporarilyexacerbate the current clampdown inethnically Tibetan areas by Chinesesecurity forces.

The ethics surrounding suchactions have become a matter for debateamong Tibet’s exiled population. Suicideis considered a grave sin according tothe Tibetan Buddhist doctrine, whichemphasises the preciousness of human life.

Speaking to the BBC last month, HisHoliness the Dalai Lama praised thecourage of those who attempted (at leastsix of whom succeeded) to lay down theirlives for Tibet, but questioned thewisdom of making the ultimate sacrifice,asking ‘how much effect’ such actionsare having.

But Kanyag Tsering, who maintainsregular contact with monks at Kirtimonastery in Tibet, says the worseningsituation in Ngaba since Kirti became partof a chain of demonstrations protestingBeijing’s hosting of the 2008 OlympicGames, when dozens of Tibetans werekilled and many more imprisoned, drovePhuntsok Jarutsang to set himself alighton March 16 - the third anniversary ofthe protests - and thirteen others to followin his wake.

He said: ‘Since 2008 the oppressionhas increased and tens of thousands ofChinese soldiers have flooded intoNgaba. They have set up new garrisonsand whenever there’s a festival or publicgathering the town is flooded withChinese military who intimidate thepeople. They have turned the town intosomething that looks more like abattlefield.

‘On March 16, most people mournthe deaths of those killed in 2008, andfrom March 10 this year the militarystarted pouring into the county.

‘That’s why Phuntsok self-immolated. He was unable to bear the

oppression.’Eight of the 12 Tibetans who self-

immolated in ethnically Tibetan areas ofChina were from Ngaba. Four were monksat Kirti monastery, whilst another threewere former monks forced to disrobe afterthe Chinese authorities allegedly expelledover 1200 monks, before forcing a fourmonth ‘political re-education’ programmeon those remaining at the monastery.Tenzin Wangmo, a 20-year-old nun fromthe Mame Dechen Chokorling nunnery,two miles from Ngaba, also fatally self-immolated, whilst four more Tibetans setthemselves alight in Kardze and Chamdoin Kham, three of whom are known to havedied from their injuries. Another twosurvived self-immolation attempts in NewDelhi and Kathmandu.

Asked if he expected the self-immolations to exacerbate the Chinese

clampdown in Ngaba, Kanyag Tseringsaid: ‘It’s obvious that for the momentthere’s going to be so much oppression.

‘But for the greater cause of Tibet(the self-immolations) are a bigcontribution because of the interest theyhave generated around the world.

‘They are the biggest expression ofresentment towards the oppressiveregime, and for Tibetans it’s veryimportant to use all media to convey themessage that’s coming out from Tibet,so all these lives don’t go to waste.’

Outside the monastery most exiledTibetans seemed to share both hissupport for the self-immolators and hisdesire to spread the news of Tibet’splight to an international forum.

President of the Tibetan YouthCongress, Tsewang Rigzin, said: ‘TheTibetan Youth Congress is deeplyinspired by these ultimate sacrifices byour brothers and sisters.

‘Self-immolations and hunger

strikes are the last resort of a non-violentmovement, and non-violence is what theTibetan struggle is all about.’

Asked if he considered such actsto be contrary to Buddhist doctrine, hesaid ‘It’s true that Buddhism says thattaking a life, no matter whether it’s yoursor anyone else’s, is a sin.

‘But these martyrs who have self-immolated have done it for the greatergood of the six- million Tibetan people.’

Dhundup Tsering, 27, who worksfor the Central Tibetan Administration’sDepartment of Religion and Culture, said:‘These immolations happened becausepeople don’t have any human rights inTibet. They don’t have any other choice.

‘Tibetans are now a minority inTibet, and if they protest the Chineseauthorities can easily put them in prison.

‘Some people say this kind of thingis violent. This thinking is totally wrong,because the self-immolators haven’t hurtother people. Whatever they are doing isfor the sake of other people.

‘They burn themselves to raise theirvoices internationally.’

Tenzin Cheme, 26, who is in chargeof the Tibet Museum, added: ‘It’s quiteobvious that they (the self-immolators)are very desperate.

‘Most are monks and nuns, and thisshows that they don’t have enoughreligious rights in Tibet.

‘Some people feel that talking aboutself-immolations - especially to theoutside world - encourages people insideTibet to do it, but rather than encouragingthem to do these things, I think we’respreading the message to the outsideworld that Tibet needs attention.

‘As far as sacrificing oneself for abigger cause is concerned, it doesn’tcount as a sin.’

‘Self-immolations are thebiggest expression of

resentment towards theoppressive regime, and for

Tibetans it’s very important touse all media to convey the

message that’s coming out fromTibet, so all these lives don’t go

to waste.’

Kanyag Tsering

Kirti Monastery spokesman, Kanyag Tsering


By Sophie JayWhat first struck me about Bhutuk,

the Tibetan monk who self-immolated inKathmandu in November, was the beamingsmile with which he told much of his story.

Despite soaking his robes in petrolbefore setting himself alight in theTibetan area of Boudhanath onNovember 10, Bhutuk escaped withrelatively minor injuries before fleeing tothe safety of McLeodganj, where he isnow recovering.

Sitting in his simple guesthouse, the45-year-old Buddhist monk, who - in spiteof recent events - exudes an air ofchildlike innocence and serenity, told mehe decided upon his drastic course ofaction after becoming deeply distressedby the oppression he witnessed in hisnative Tibet, and more recently in Nepal,where, since the impoverished Himalayancountry’s monarchy was ousted by itscurrent Maoist coalition government in2008, Tibetans have suffered at the handsof authorities sympathetic to, and aidedby, China’s communist government.

Speaking through an interpreter,Bhutuk, who made the perilous month-long Himalayan trek to India from Tibetin 1994 so he could practice his religionfreely, said: ‘Even to practice Buddhismis extremely difficult for Tibetans insideTibet. They can’t even have a picture ofour root guru, His Holiness the DalaiLama, and in Nepal they can no longercelebrate certain festivals.

‘A protest was planned in Nepal onOctober 19, but the Tibetans were notgiven permission to hold it, so manymonks, nuns and lay people held prayervigils and hunger strikes instead. Nomovement of Tibetans was allowed inNepal on that day, but vigils took placeall over the country. I feel very sad whenI see how Tibetans in Tibet and Nepalare being treated.’

What he saw in Nepal inspiredBhutuk to join the growing number ofTibetans – 14 to date – who have self-immolated. Most of these incidents tookplace in the Ngaba region of China’sSichaun province, but instances havealso occurred in the Tibet AutonomousRegion and New Delhi.

He said: ‘I wanted to express myselfand my resentment at how Tibetan peopleare being oppressed, so I chose to self-immolate on November 10, as it was a fullmoon night – an auspicious day for us.

‘The day before I bought petrol and

rented a room close to Boudhanath.‘On that fateful day I woke up at

about 6am and circumambulatedBoudhanath Stupa three times. I prayedthat I would be the last person to self-immolate, that the Tibetans would havetheir freedom, and for the long life of theDalai Lama.

‘I then went back to my hotel,poured the petrol into a bucket, removedmy clothes and soaked them in the petrol,before putting them back on. I took withme a Tibetan flag, and put on a hat withthe Tibetan flag on it.

‘At about 7am I returned toBoudhanath and walked over to the placewhere butter lamps are offered. I spreadmy shawl around the flames of the butterlamps, then I felt that my clothes were on fire.

‘I began shouting slogans callingfor Tibet’s freedom, and for the long lifeof the Dalai Lama.’

Asked if he had experienced anygreat, physical pain, Bhutuk continued:‘I had a sense that I was on fire, butoverriding that was this great feeling ofaccomplishment.

‘I took three strides and then Ithought the flames had gone out, so Iwent back to the butter lamps to setmyself alight again, but I didn’t realisethat my back was still on fire.’

At that moment the burning monkwas mobbed by a group of Tibetan peoplewho put out the flames, begging him notto continue.

‘So many Tibetans came over andasked me not to do it, telling me I wouldface serious consequences if I werecaught,’ he said.

‘When they refused to let me try toself-immolate again I was extremelydisappointed.’

The concerned Tibetans took himto a nearby monastery where theyremoved and replaced his petrol-soakedrobes. It did not take long for word of theincident to reach the Nepalese police who,according to Bhutuk’s friends, hadswamped the area within 15 minutes ofhis attempted self-immolation.

He said: ‘The Tibetans decided totake me to hospital wearing layman’sclothes, but as we were about to leave Igot a call from a friend asking me not togo to the hospital, as the police hadstarted a manhunt, and were searchingall Kathmandu’s hospitals.’

A Tibetan doctor was called, butBhutuk recalled that even he was uneasy.

‘He said the police were watching him, sohe provided enough medicines, balms andbandages for three days and left,’ he said.

The injured monk moved to roomsin different parts of the city each night toevade detection from the Nepaleseauthorities who, according to ‘reliableeyewitnesses,’ continued their full-scalesearch for two or three days.

Realising that he would most likelybe handed over to the Chinese police inTibet if caught, Bhutuk and his friendsbegan planning his escape to India.

The plan was to travel bymotorbike and car out of Kathmandu,through various checkpoints, and thenby bus into India via Nepal’s easternborder town, Siliguri. As they approacheda notoriously strict checkpoint on theoutskirts of Kathmandu, Bhutuk wastransferred to a car, fearing his bandagedarms would give away his identity. Hesaid: ‘So many policemen were checkingcars, and one asked who I was. I said thatI had to go and help a friend whose carhad broken down.

‘We were allowed through and thenthe Tibetan driver handed me 1,000NRsand promised to help me in any way hecould in the future.’

After an extremely anxious seven-hour journey he took a bus to Siliguri,where he spent the night, before boardinganother bus into India.

He smiles sweetly as he tells me hisonly regret is that he was unable toaccomplish his mission and that if hiskarma allows, he would not rule out asecond attempt at self-immolation.

‘I want to evoke the conscience inthe minds of the Chinese and Nepalesepeople,’ he said.

‘I will continue to work for theTibetan cause until Tibet has itsindependence.’

Self-immolation survivor Bhutuk tells his story

Bhutuk is now recovering from his injuriesin McLeod Ganj.


His Holiness inaugurates Tong-Len charity hostel

By Wes GriffinHundreds turned out to see His

Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurate a newhostel for a Dharamsala charity onNovember 19.

Opening the hostel for the TongLen Charitable Trust, which provideseducation for Dharamsala’s slumchildren, and much needed medical carein the town’s poorer communities, HisHoliness reminded the world that it isn’tjust the welfare of struggling Tibetansthat deserves his attention.

‘Everybody has the r ight toovercome poverty and it is everybody’smoral responsibility to look after eachother,’ he told a crowd that included overforty international visitors. Heartilycommending Tong-Len’s founder, themonk Jamyang, for his dedication toimproving the future opportunities ofunderprivileged Indian children in theDharamsala area, he added, ‘As long asthere is money with The Dalai LamaTrust, it’s yours.’

Bharatiya Janata Party vicepresident and MP, Shanta Kumar, alsoannounced a donation of one million (10lakh) Rs from his MP fund to the CharitableTrust last month.

However, Jamyang and his crew ofdedicated volunteers haven’t been restingand waiting for generosity. They havebeen working since the organization wasfounded in 2002, determined to help thedisplaced communities of people close toDharamsala improve their situation. FromRajasthan to Maharashtra and all pointsin between, they come, and too often their

journey leads to a slum with little shelterand fewer opportunities to find goodnutrition or education.

Jamyang told the Times of India,‘When I was a Buddhist student, everyday I would see from my window somekids eating rotten bread and tomatoes fromheaps of garbage. It pained me and Isurrendered my dinner for some days andstarted sharing it with those children… Itmarked the start of my campaign.’

The new hostel - Tong Len’s third,will be home to children under the age ofthree. Whereas older children rise early forexercises and breakfast before taking a busto one of the best public schools in theregion, these young ones will be steepedin educational social activities in the hopeof making their transition to public schoola seamless one. Alongside the vitalhealthcare that Tong-Len provides tothousands who dwell in Dharamsala’snearby slums, Jamyang considerseducation to be the key to a brighter futurefor many of the area’s children.

Some of Tong-Len’s children come fromfamilies in which girlshave never made itbeyond Class V, orbrothers begging on thestreets are simply a factof life. Now, havingbeen offered acombination of stabilityand opportunity, manyof them top their classesand profess long-termgoals of becoming

doctors or engineers.Volunteer, Angela Clyburn, explained

that: ‘the long-term vision is to providethese children with educationalopportunities that can take them out ofthe slums and all the way throughuniversity graduation.’ Along the way,their teachers and mentors instill in themthe value of giving back to theircommunity, in the hope of turning the cycleof poverty – which brought the childrento Tong-Len in the first place – on its head.

While Tong-Len’s newest buildingmay boast a very popular benefactor, thechildren still rely on personal generosityin the form of sponsorship for many oftheir daily needs. Individual sponsorsnot only have the flexibility to dedicatetheir gift to either educational orresidential needs, they are also keptinformed about the children they aresupporting with regular updates andphotographs. Monthly sponsorships arevery affordable, and Tong-Lenguarantees that every penny goesdirectly to a child in need.

As His Holiness has stressedrepeatedly throughout his globalcampaign for compassion and socialjustice, it’s our moral responsibility tolook out for one another.

For more information onsponsoring a child through Tong-Len,please contact [email protected].

His Holiness bringing smiles to some of Tong Len’s young students.

Young girls supported by Tong Len enjoythe fest ivit ies.

The new hostel in Lower Dharamsala.


By Wes GriffinTomer Woelz and Paul Dascalu had

nearly finished teaching their session on‘Laws of the Game’, but the questionsjkept coming from all angles.

‘Is it possible to score directly fromthe kickoff?’

‘No, a kickoff is considered indirect,and the ball must touch two playersbefore going in the goal.’

‘Should football matches continueduring a storm?’

‘Rain, yes. Lightning, no.’‘If a player is angry and

intentionally kicks the ball in the wrongnet, does the goal count? Does usingfoul language merit a yellow card?Suppose a spectator comes onto the fieldand starts a fight. Should the player bepenalized for fighting back?’

‘Emphasize teamwork, fair play, andrespect to all the girls on your footballteam, and good things will come. Ifsomeone from the crowd wants to attackteenage girls, we have much biggerproblems than what the rules say.’

These questions – and more – wereeagerly posed by the physical educationteachers of nine Tibetan Children’sVillage (TCV) schools across India, whospent November 21-26 at TCV UpperDharamsala for a workshop aimed atestablishing an organized footballprogramme for Tibetan women and girls.Needless to say, the participantsthemselves showed exemplarysportsmanship and kindness for theduration of their visit, as well as an affinityfor the sport.

Cassie Childers, a women’s footballplayer from the United States andlongtime supporter of the Tibetan cause,planned and sponsored the workshop,which was organized in conjunction withKalsang Dhondup, General Secretary ofthe Tibetan National Sports Association.With her husband, Tomer Woelz, and PaulDascalu (a former professional footballerin Romania) taking the reins in trainingand tactical sessions, Childers was freeto drive the workshop in a holisticdirection - one that addressed needs farmore critical than skills such as dribblingand shooting.

‘It’s important to remember that ourultimate purpose has nothing to do with

football,’ she said. ‘The idea is to usefootball as a tool to empower Tibetanwomen and show them they can doanything that a man can do.’

To that end, Childers complimentedher own football knowledge byassembling a team of experts. A sportspsychologist conducted classes on thebest way for male coaches to address theunique mental and emotional needs offemale athletes. A pair of sportsphysiotherapists led the coaches in yogabefore each morning’s training andexplained how gir ls’ physical andnutritional demands differ from boys’.Guest of honour, Manjushree Roy, herselfa sports administrator and a vital voiceof support from within the Indiangovernment, offered a sweeping long-term vision of the importance of women’sathletics and the potential for sport toinspire and unite people.

The coaches, hailing from as far awayas Ladakh in the north and Bylakuppe inthe south, were enthusiastic from start tofinish. The workshops typically kept thembusy from 7 o’clock each morning until wellinto the evening. ‘What a great bunch ofcharacters, with great energy,’ Woelz noted.‘They came from so many different parts ofIndia but found one common purpose: tosoak up all the knowledge they could inhopes of being not only good football

coaches, but also a resource to improvethe lives of Tibetan girls.’

The Tibetan Men’s Football Teamfirst played an exhibition match in 1998and has since toured a number ofEuropean nations. Childers and her teambelieve in building passion for women’sfootball at a grassroots level. Already,she’s set to spend January in Gopalpurwith three girls from each TCV school.They’ll receive intensive skills trainingalong with focused lessons on leadershipand nutrition. With any luck, the Tibetangirls who join football clubs at theirrespective TCV schools next academicyear will take up the challenge from theircoaches and form the backbone of aTibetan Women’s Football Team that willone day compete internationally.

European football fans may beknown for their rowdiness andhooliganism at times, but to answer theeager young coach’s question, it’s prettyunlikely a fan will leave the stands toattack a player. In fact, if there is anynegativity at all from the crowd, it willprobably just be whistles of jealousy fromthe boys, surprised to see their femalecounterparts excelling at ‘the beautifulgame,’ their confident smiles whispering,‘challenge met.’

Tibetan girls train for ‘the beautiful game.’

Tibet’s future sports stars question US women’s footballer, Cassie Childers.


Ayuskam Health CareLOCATION: First floor Hotel Anand Place,near Bhagsu taxi stand and near TibetanHotel Ashoka Guest House McLeod GanjMOBILE: 9805928923/9736211210WEBSITE: www.ayuskama.com

Naam Art GalleryLOCATION: Main Road Sidhbari DharamsalaMOBILE: 9816043708

Tibet MuseumLOCATION: Near the Main Temple and theNamgyal Monastery gate, McLeod GanjHOURS: 9am-5pm, Tue-Sun

Tibet Photo Exhibit: 50 Yearsof Struggle and OppressionLOCATION: Gu-Chu-Sum hall on Jogiwara Rd,next to the Lung-ta Japanese RestaurantHOURS: 2am-5pm on Mon, Wed and Fri

Wood Carving ClassesLOCATION: Zoha Art, Bhagsu Nag RdCONTACT: MeenaEMAIL: [email protected]

Music ClassesKailash Tribal Music SchoolAll kinds of Indian Traditional instrumentsWEB: www.musictribe.orgLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near Green ShopHOURS: visiting 1-2pm, no class on TuesPHONE: 981 615 0326EMAIL: [email protected]

Library of Tibetan Works & ArchivesLOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, betweenMcLeod Ganj and Lower DharamsalaHOURS: 9-10am, 11-noon and 3-4pmPHONE: 222 467

Public Audience with HH KarmapaCONTACT: Cheme ChoegyalLOCATION: SidhpurHOURS: 2.30pm, Wed and SatPHONE: 9816315336DETAILS: www.kagyuoffice.org

Tushita Meditation CenterWEB: www.tushita.infoLOCATION: DharamkotHOURS: 9:30-11:30am & 12:30-4pm, Mon-SatPHONE: 221 1866EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan AstrologyLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near KCC BankPHONE: 941 810 1965EMAIL: [email protected]

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Contact: Om Yoga Meditation CentreKetan Lodge, Jogiwara Road.

Tel. 9816494732www.omyogaindia.com

Lha Tibetan Cooking SchoolLOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdPHONE: 220 992HOURS: Registration from 9am-11am, See pg 3.Indian Cooking ClassesLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, next to TibetanAshoka GuesthouseHOURS: 10am-6pmPHONE: 941 813 0119EMAIL: [email protected]

Lhamo’s Kitchen, Tibetan Cooking ClassesLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the Green ShopPHONE: 981 646 8719HOURS: 8am-9pm

Nisha’s Indian Cooking ClassLOCATION: Hotel Lotus Leaf, Jogiwara RdHOURS: Classes from 4-6pmEMAIL: [email protected]

Sangye’s Kitchen Tradit ionalTibetan Cooking C lassesRecommended by Lonely planetLOCATION:Lung-ta Restaurant, below theTashi Choeling Monastery on Jogiwara RdHOURS:10am-12pm and 4-6pmPHONE: 981 616 4540EMAIL: [email protected]

Ayuskam Health CareLOCATION: First floor Hotel Anand Place,near Bhagsu taxi stand and near TibetanHotel Ashoka Guest House McLeod GanjMOBILE: 9805928923/9736211210WEBSITE: www.ayuskama.com

(continued on page 10)

ANGELMassage centre

• Balinese massage • Deep-Tissue• Swedish • Hawaii massage

• Reflexology(Massage course available)

Location: at Pink House belowYongling School, Jogiwara Road

Mobile:9736083627 / 9736083554

Vedic AstrologerLOCATION: Kunga Guest house (Nick's ItalianRestaurant), Bhagsu Rd McLeod Ganj-Map #6MOBILE: 09897339026HOURS: Drop-in


Tibetan with Teacher Pema Youdon:LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, opposite the post officeHOURS: 1-4pm, or leave a message.

M AS S AG EAngel Massage CenterLOCATION: Ping House, belowYongling School, Jogiwara RdPHONE: 9736083627, 9736083554EMAIL: [email protected]

Lha Healing Oil Massage Courses &TreatmentLOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdPHONE: 220 992HOURS: Registration from 9am-11am, See pg 3.

Kailash Tribal SchoolTaught byYogi SivadasWEB: www.yogatribe.orgLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the GreenShop - Map #6HOURS: visiting 1-2pm, no class on TuesPHONE: 981 615 0326EMAIL: [email protected]

Nature Cure Health ClubLOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka,Jogiwara RdPHONE: 941 813 0119EMAIL: [email protected]

Shiatsu & Swedish MassageLOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdPHONE: 220 992See ad pg 3.

Synergy Ayuredic Massage CentreLOCATION: Near Tibetan Ashoka,Jogiwara RdPHONE: 941 80 8488EMAIL: [email protected]

Traditional Thai MassageLOCATION: Opposite the Govt. Tourist Infor-mation Centre, Hotel Surya RdPHONE: 981 633 9199EMAIL: [email protected]

LA NGU AG ES

HEALTH SERVICES

Dr. Sant Marwah ClinicLOCATION: in front of Main TempleHOURS: 9:30am-6:30pmPHONE: 221 106, 98160 21106

Kumar Ayurvedic and PanchkarmaLOCATION: Hotel Surya Rd, opposite theTourism Informations CentrePHONE: 941 824 9399OURS: 10am-2pm and 2:30-7pm

Maanav Health ClinicLOCATION: Main SquareHOURS: 10am-12:30pm and 2-5pmPHONE: 941 815 5795EMAIL: [email protected]

Men-Tsee-KhangLOCATION: between McLeod Ganj andLower DharamshalaPHONE: 222 618, 223 113EMAIL: [email protected]

Nature Cure Health ClubLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, next to TibetanAshoka Guest House-Map #10HOURS: 9:30am-6:30pmPHONE:: 941 813 0119EMAIL: [email protected]

Primary Health CentreLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, main marketHOURS: 9:30am-4pm, Mon-Sat

Tibetan Delek HospitalLOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, betweenMcLeod Ganj and Lower DharamsalaPHONE: 222 053, 223 381HOURS: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm,Mon-Sat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, Mon-Sat; Emergencies: 24 hrs, daily

(continued from page 9)

Kailash Tribal Meditation SchoolTaught by Yogi SivadasWEB: www.yogatribe.orgLOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, nr the Green Shop - Map #6HOURS: visiting 1-2pm, no class on TuesPHONE: 981 615 0326EMAIL: [email protected]

I am Happy Open AshramWEB: www.iamhappy.inEMAIL: [email protected]: Behind Hotel Akashdeep,Bhagsu- Map #6 & McleodganjHOURS: 4-5pm, Mon-SatMOBILE: 9882868470 or 9569221047

Om Yoga, Meditation & Reiki CentreSee the Yoga & Reiki section.

Tushita Meditation CenterWEB: www.tushita.infoLOCATION: DharamkotHOURS: 9:30-11:30am, Mon-SatPHONE: 221 866EMAIL: [email protected]

Vipassana MeditationWEB: www.sikhara.dhamma.orgLOCATION: DharamkotHOURS: 4-5pm, Mon-SatPHONE: 221 309EMAIL: [email protected]

Kailash Tribal School,RYS 200 & RYS 500 YTTC(Yoga Alliance USA Recognized)LOCATION: Bhagsu Rd, near the Green ShopWEB: www.yogatribe.orgHOURS: visiting 1-30 pm, Closed on TuesdayPHONE: 981 615 0326EMAIL: [email protected]

Om Yoga, Meditation & Reiki CentreLOCATION: Ketan Lodge, behind Akash Hotel,on Jogiwara Rd - Map #17HOURS: 8am-6pmPHONE: 980 569 3514

Rishi Yoga Centre with Yogi ShivamWEB: www.siddharthayogacentre.orgLOCATION: Himalyan ParadiseHotel Jogiwara Rd - Map #15HOURS: 7-8am & 6:15-7:15pmPHONE: 981 656 5138EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan Language ClassLOCATION: Lha Office, Temple RdHOURS: Registration from 9-11am, Mon-FriPHONE: 220 992See ad on pg 3.

Hindi ClassesLOCATION: Ketan Lodge, Jogiwara Rd,beside the Korean RestaurantPHONE: 981 649 4732

Hindi Lessons with KailashLOCATION: At Bhimsen’s Indian Cooking ClassPHONE: 220 063, 941 816 1947HOURS: 4-6pm, daily

Hindi Lessons with SunilLOCATION: Kunga Guesthouse, Bhagsu Rdand in DharamkotPHONE: 221 942, 941 818 7281EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibetan LanguageLOCATION: The LibraryHOURS: 10-11am and noon-1pmSee Buddhist philosophy listing.

YOGA & REIKI

MEDITATION

Himalayan Iyengar Yoga CentreLOCATION: Dharamkot, on the footpath to Bhagsu - Map #5EMAIL: [email protected]: www.hiyogacentre.com

Siddhartha Yoga Centre with Yogi ShivamWEB: www.siddharthayogacentre.orgLOCATION: Upper Bagsu Nag Map #1HOURS: 7-8am & 6:15-7:15pmPHONE: 981 656 5138EMAIL: [email protected]

Universal Yoga with VijayRecognized by Yoga AllianceWEB: www.vijaypoweryoga.comLOCATION: Room #5, Yongling SchoolBuilding, Jogiwara Rd - Map #15HOURS: 9:00 -11:10am & 2:00 - 4:00PmEMAIL: [email protected]

Free training session forEnglish teachers.

Experienced English teacher, SaulDeason, will run a free teachertraining session for volunteer

English teachers in McLeod Ganjin late January.

The time and place of the lessons,which are open to all, will be

announced later.

For more information, pleasecontact Saul on: 9736802034, or

[email protected], or visithis website at:

www.saul.deason.co.uk.


Tourist InformationBus Schedule

* Times and prices may vary.Please check with the bus stand ahead of departure.

LEAVING FROM THE MCLEOD GANJ BUS STAND, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED:DELHI: Ordinary Bus: 4:45am, 6pm, 6:45pm, 8:15pm and 8:30pm (Rs330) Semi Deluxe Bus: 6pm (Rs355) AC Volvo Semi-Sleeper: 8pm (Rs1035) AC TATA: 8:30pm (Rs840)

AMRITSAR: Ordinary Bus: 4:45am (Rs165)*from Dharamsala

DEHRADUN: Ordinary Bus: 9pm; AC Deluxe: 5:30pm

MANALI: Ordinary Bus: 5:40pm, 8:40pm *from Dharamsala

PATHANKOT: Ordinary Bus: 11am, 12:10pm, 12:30pm, 2:10pm, 3:50pm, 5pm(Rs75)

SHIMLA: Ordinary Bus: 5am, 5:30am, 6am, 8am, noon and 4:55pm (Rs235)*from Dharamsala

Semi Deluxe Bus: 8:22am, 7:45pm and 9:30pm (Rs???) *fromDharamsala

FOR BOOKINGS:LOCATION: ticket stand under McLLo’s, main squareHOURS: 10am-6pm, dailyPHONE: 221750For deluxe buses, book through any travel agency.

TAXISA private taxi to Lower Dharamsala willcost you Rs 160. Cram into a jeep (from

the bus stand), and it’ll only cost youRs10.

Police Contact InformationLOCATION: Past St.John’s Church, on road toDharamshala in Cantt area.PHONE: 221 483

Tibetan Delek HospitalLOCATION: Gangchen Kyishong, betweenMcLeod Ganj and Lower DharamshalaHOURS: Outpatient services: 9am-1pm, Mon-Sat; Specialist clinics: 2-4:30pm, Mon-Sat;Emergencies: 24-hrs, daily.PHONE: 222 053,223 381

Post OfficeThe McLeod Ganj Post Office is located onLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, past Peace CafeHOURS: 9:30am-1pm and 2-5pm, Mon-Fri;9:30am-noon, Sat.PHONE: 221 924Parcels and money orders can besent in the mornings only.

G O I N G T O A M R I T S A R ?Come see us at Tourist Guest House

British colonial mansion turned into beautiful guesthouse

that tourists have been f locking to for a taste of theRaj l ife style. We have Internet connection at Rs 1/min.

Comfortable stay with home cooked meals. Dorm bed Rs 85, Single/dble w. bath Rs 125-250.

Walking distance from train and bus. Private parking.Recommended in travel guide ‘Lets Go-2000’.

Contact Harindar at : 0183-2553830 / 09356003219E-mail : [email protected]

- Map #3

Nature CureHealth Clubwith Mahinder Kapoor

Jogiwara Rd, next to Tibetan Ashoka Guest House - Map# 13, Mobile: 94181 30119 or 09736333888

Email: [email protected],12 years’ experience & recommended

by the Lonely PlanetVisit us for: Swedish massage courses & treatment,

Zen Shiatsu courses, treatment, reflexologytreatment, SPA , Singing Bowl Treatment, steambaths,

sauna & mud baths.Our teacher has had experience teaching in Israel.

TraditionalTibetan Soft Dolls

For play or decoration!Individually handcrafted and filled

with pure, local sheep wool.Tamana Shop,

Jogiwara Rd, or visit our workshop.Contact: 981 637 4389


The Mountain Cleaners is a volun-tary organization founded in April 2009by Jodie Underhill who have success-

fully set up a waste management system atthe popular trekking destination Triund.You can help Jodie and the Mountain

Around Town: Helping OutANIMAL RESCUE

Dharamsala Dog RescueWe are in urgent need of vet volunteers,animal experts and sponsors. We are in im-mediate need of sponsors for two paraly-sed dogs that need a home, wheelchair,monthly food and medicine. Please contactus if you see an injured/sick dog. Anythingyou can do is appreciated.WEB: www.hnsindia.orgLOCATION: Behind the District Court Complexon Chilgari St, Lower DharamsalaPHONE: 981 622 0841EMAIL: [email protected]

Rogpa Baby Care CentreWe help low income Tibetanfamilies to

become self-sufficient by providing freechild care for infants so their parentscan work. Can you help with art, games,singing and lots of hard work? (includingdiaper changing!) If you can create andmaintain a fun and loving atmospherewith our children, hours are Mon-Sat,either 8.30am-12pm or 1pm-5pm(located near no.13 on map)

Rogpa Shop and CafeHelp serve drinks and cakes, plus sellour fairly traded products. Weaccept donated clothes & books(located near no.14 on map)Min. commitment for both jobs is 3 weeksPlease contact us directly or by [email protected]

PUBLICATION

Contact MagazineSubmit a single piece or become a steadycorrespondent of this local, grassrootspublication. Contact needs volunteers towrite, proofread and edit copy and work ongraphic design.Volunteers needed, especiallythose with a knowledge of Photoshop.CONTACT: Lobsang Rabsel at the Lha office,Temple Road.PHONE: 981 615 5523EMAIL: [email protected]

Volunteer language teachers, for both long-and short-term placements, are needed forquality education in Mcleod Ganj:

Gu-Chu-Sum provides support for ex-po-litical prisoners and their families. It alsoorganises campaigns for the release ofcurrent political prisoners.Gu-Chu-Sum School needs volunteers forits English conversation classes and tutor-ing sessions from 6pm onwards, Mon- Fri.LOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, downstairs Lung-taJapanese RestaurantHOURS: 4:30-6:30pmPHONE: 220 680EMAIL: [email protected]

Tibet Hope Center is a registered NGOstarted by two Tibetans to support thenewcomers from Tibet.We run a conversation class where ourstudents can practice their English, andwe are in constant need of conversationpartners. They love to ask questionsabout your life and exchange ideas onmany topics.Think Globally, Act LocallyWEB: www.tibethopecenter.orgLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, behind Gu-Chu-SumHOURS: 4:30-5:45pm, daily, and we evenhave a campfire every evening!PHONE: 981 637 3889EMAIL: [email protected]

works with Indian com-munit ies l iv ing in

poverty toward a healthy and sustainablefuture.Needed urgently: volunteer primary teach-ers and assistants for maths, English andart, as well as nurses and health workers.CONTACT: Tashi LhamoLOCATION: Top floor, Bank of Baroda oppo-site art gallery, Kotwali Bazar, DharamsalaPHONE: 981 608 1562, 223 930EMAIL: [email protected]

TUTORS & CLASS ASSISTANTS

Lha Donation CenterAccepting donations of all kinds: clothing, sleep-ing bags, books, school supplies, office sup-plies, medical supplies, used laptops, finan-cial assistance... Donations are clearly recordedand distributed to those in need, both Tibetanand Indian. Lha is a registered non-profit,social service organisation. See advert on pg 3.

Tong-LenDonations welcomed: medical supplies, sta-tionary, books, toys and children’s clothing.LOCATION: Top floor, Bank of Baroda oppositethe art gallery Kotwali Bazar, DharamsalaPHONE: 981 608 1562, 223 930

DONATIONS

Volunteer TibetYou’re motivated to share your timeand assist organisations in the Tibetancommunity. Even if you’re j us t

passingthrough Dharamsala, there arestill many ways to donate your time & make adifference.

WEB: www.volunteertibet.org.inLOCATION: Jogiwara Rd, opposite AkashGuesthouse.HOURS: 9am- and 5pm, Mon-FriPHONE: 98820 17083, 220 894EMAIL:[email protected]’s Team Volunteers required to teachIndian women computer/English skills. For moreinformation visit [email protected] mobile 09817515123

For a full list of volunteer opportunities,bothlong- and short-term, please contact us:

The Active NonviolenceEducation Center (ANEC)facilitates trainings, workshopsand open forum discussions onnonviolent strategies to help

resolve disagreements and differences atall levls of human society.As part of our General Outreach Program,ANEC welcomes volunteers from westerncountries to participate in informal paneldiscussions on ideas and views of regionaland global peace and nonviolent strategies.Free lunch and tea for volunteers.WEB: www.anec.org.inLOCATION: No. 262, 1st floor, KhajanchiMohalla, Khunyara Rd, Lower DharamsalaPHONE: 941 809 4476, 941 898 7745EMAIL: [email protected]

Learning and Ideas for Tibet (L.I.T.) isa non-profit organization that needs arange of volunteers interested in theTibetan movement and communityeducation.CONTACT: LaurenPHONE: 941 879 4218L O C AT I O N : Jogiwara Rd, near the KoreanRestaurant

Lha Community Social Work fostersprojects for the benefit and enrichment ofthe local community.We provide a library, English and Frenchclasses, computer training, medicalassistance programmes, environmentalprogrammes and clothing distribution toneedy Tibetans and Indians, in addition tosupporting construction and renovationprojects. See ad pg 3.WEB: www.lhaindia.orgLOCATION: Temple Rd, across from StateBank of IndiaHOURS: 9am-noon and1-5pm, Mon-FriPHONE: 220 992

Nyingtob Ling (‘Realm of Courage’) helpssupport Tibetan children from disadvan-taged families.The children work hard at making delightfulhandicrafts and paintings. They are sofriendly and LOVE visitors!LOCATION: Near Norbulingka, SidhpurPHONE: 0189 224 6366, 981 685 1841EMAIL: [email protected]

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

A N E C

The Clean Upper Dharamshala Projectwas founded in 1994 to provide awaste management system in andaround McLod Ganj. The GreenWorkers, the Handmade Recycled

Paper Factory, the Green Shop and theEnvironmental Education Centre are part ofthe Clean Upper Daramshala Project. Joinus for the weekly guided tour on Wednes-days at 3 pm at the office of CUDP!

ENVIRONMENT

Cleaners every Monday at 9.30 am & jointhem up to

contact january 2012

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