Obaitori

- peace - Tibetan Journey

"Peace", a delightful and atmospheric song out of the album "Tibetan Journey", composed and performed by Paul Lawler from the UK.

"This is a musical voyage through the culture and natural wonders of Tibet, 'the rooftop of the world'. The music is a mix of Eastern and Western styles with Tibetan traditional instruments and voices at the core of the orchestration. With its history and cultural richness, I felt encouraged to compose a Tibetan themed album. However, I decided to deviate from the regular spiritual path and create music that reflects the vibrancy of the Tibetan people and paints a picture of the remarkable Tibetan landscape and architecture." (Paul Lawler)

Paul Lawler's website for more information, more from his You Tube channel. 

OLO THE BOY FROM TIBET

OLO THE BOY FROM TIBET is a moving and timely film. Olo was six when he fled from Tibet when his mother gave him a push forward and said ''Study hard''. Living in Dharamsala, northern India, Olo asks ''Why did my mother urge me to leave my homeland?'' The camera films him as he looks for answers. Serious global attention and real concern is being paid to the potentially genocidal situation occurring in Tibet. This experience will update you on how Tibetans are surviving and maintaining their religion and culture - against the odds.

Just by attending you are showing your support.

Come along on Monday 24th September at 8pm. Tickets $15. Avoca Beach Cinema, Australia

quietly practising

~ Kumbum Chamtse Ling Temple ~

by Jatso Arja

Today I'm thinking about these words;

"Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the people you can, in every place you can, with all the zeal, strength, love, heart and interest you can, as long as ever you can. ~ Swami Sivananda Saraswati ~

Chanting for the Freedom of Tibet;

Hoping that tonight; I will be able to attend the teachings of this extraordinary monk, Choden Rinpoche.  

After China invaded Tibet in 1959, he went into solitary confinement. He remained in a tiny dark room in the capital Lhasa for 19 years. Choden Rinpoche's confinement was self-imposed and he spent the two decades secretly meditating and reciting sacred texts he had memorised. Rinpoche had none of the ritual objects, no altar, or books associated with a monk, just a set of rosary beads he hid under his blanket. Even retaining these was dangerous. "If you kept even one scripture text, that is a serious crime - more serious than keeping a gun," he said through an interpreter. He was constantly spied on and although the Chinese visited him regularly, they believed he was an invalid. At 83, Rinpoche is a respected scholar, teacher and meditation master, and among the last generation of Tibetan-born lamas who studied before the invasion that destroyed much of their culture. He is in Sydney, Australia to teach.

Read more.

 

may all beings be happy

I know that a lot of people are not celebrating Losar this year. But I am. We have a Tibetan sponsor child ~ Woeser Lhamo ~ living in India who hasn't seen her family for over four years. I know her mother cries out to her child's heart. Every mother would.

No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful the experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama ~

 

Today with this quote from the HH Dalai Lama, I wish all Tibetans everywhere a very happy and peaceful new year for 2012. Om shanti om. Tibet will be free.

 

When we demand the rights and freedoms we so cherish,

We should also be aware of our responsibilities.

If we accept that others have an equal right

To peace and happiness as ourselves

Do we not have a responsibility to help those in need?

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama ~

 

Celebrate by taking action. If you are in Australia write to Kevin Rudd to take a stronger step up on goverment action to support Tibet. Elsewhere contact your local Tibetan Council. Please support Tibet!

TIBET TALKS: THE TIBETAN ART OF RESISTANCE, 13 FEBRUARY 2012

With the situation in Tibet becoming more and more dire each day, here is a message from The Australian Tibet Council;

"We are delighted that Tenzin Tsundue is on his way to Sydney for the first in our brand new talk series bringing you fresh insights into Tibet today - Tibet Talks.

 At a time when Tibetans in Tibet are under such duress we feel it is all the more important to be sharing the spirit of resistance with you.

 Tibet’s new generation has taken their resistance against Chinese rule to a new level in a cultural renaissance of music and writing and by taking part in the Lhakar movement.

Since 2008, musicians, writers and bloggers have been using their craft to assert their national identity, a testimony to the enduring spirit of Tibetan resistance. Over 30 writers, singers, bloggers, intellectuals have been detained or sentenced after expressing views, writing poetry or prose, or simply sharing information about Chinese government policies and their impact in Tibet today.

At the same time, ordinary Tibetans have been channelling their spirit of resistance into social, cultural and economic activities that are self-constructive (promoting Tibetan language, culture and identity) and non-cooperative (refusing to support Chinese institutions and businesses).

 

Tenzin Tsundue and Kyinzom Dhongdue will explore these inspiring developments in Tibet.

 

Tenzin Tsundue is a celebrated activist based in Dharamsala. He has published two books of poetry and has written in various publications worldwide. Read more on him.

Kyinzom Dhongdue is a campaigner with Australia Tibet Council and a former journalist in India.

WHEN: 13 February, 6pm for 6.30pm start; finish by 8pm
WHERE: Mitchell Theatre, Sydney Mechanics School of Arts
280 Pitt St, Sydney
COST: $20 (with a glass of wine or juice included)

BUY TICKETS ONLINE or call us on 02 9283 3466

 

If you are in Sydney maybe I will see you there. Free Tibet. Free China. End the hate. Love Katie om om om

Rainbows ~ hope and optimism ~

Our new years start to Stitches for Tibet started on an auspicious note with all the members who attended witnessing a magnificent double rainbow at home before we gathered at Nicole's house. These rainbows  - a highly auspicious symbol to many people around the world, but particularly to Tibetans - appeared along with rain & a glorious golden apricot sunset. The first rainbow had two spectrums of colour. The one above it was strong & bold. The evening was a delightful sight to behold. In our street neighbours of young & old, came out to see this radiance, all smiling, all looking with a sense of peace over their face.

Because rainbows usually appear after a rainstorm, they symbolise the optimism after a difficult period. Rainbows are a symbol of hope, peace & joy. In our own very humble way, perhaps our little sewing group represents the rainbow - the optimism & the coming peace for Tibetans & all oppressed living beings, all over the world.

Our first Stitches gathering was fun, inspirational, warm & motivating. Ideas, suggestions & advice were passed around as we sat & chatted over organic chocolate, red wine, tea & lots of love.We even had a bit of a fabric parade.

At the gatherings, we all bring our own creative projects we are currently working on. Sometimes that might be in the form of an art, a craft, something inspirational, an article from a magazine, a book, a sketch pad or a bottle of nail polish to share.

This time I brought some fabric & heart shapes. I had watched this film, a short documentary on the life of a Tibetan refugee living at the Tibetan Children's Village. I noticed the walls of their bedrooms were very dull. I thought I would send over some colour & am in the process of creating just that. I will create little hearts filled with rice & lavender to hang above the children's beds & also some heart mobiles for the babies nurseries.

Here is another film created by a graduate student of the Tibetan Children's Village.

What we ultimately shared that night was love. & along with the hearts for the Tibetan Children's Village & the gold coin donations we collected that night, we celebrated our gratitude as mothers that our children sleep warmly, safely & peacefully. We hope the same for all women & children all over the planet.

 
Donations can be sent to;

Mrs. Sonam Dolkar, Principal
Tibetan Children's Villages School
Dharamsala Cantt.
Distt. Kangra - 176216 (H.P)India

or contact the Tibetan Children's Village, here.

Stitches of Tibet, here.

There are so many organisations that need assistance all over the world. Consider giving to these groups. Giving is the highest form of yoga.

࿄ ࿅ ࿄ ࿅ ࿄ ࿅

“With the mind harmonised by Yoga he sees the Self abiding in all beings and all beings in the Self; he sees the same everywhere”

~ Bhagavad Gita (VI. 29) ~

Losar ~ Tibetan new Year ~ 2011

I was very fortunate to attend the Tibetan new year celebrations yesterday in Cromer, Sydney Australia, with my beautiful friend Jaymie. We were warmly welcomed with long engaging smiles, we were given knowledge about Tibetan culture, society, arts, dance & were even treated to a cooking class in momos, tsampa & butter tea.

Losar ~ is a major festival for all Tibetans & their friends. Each new year is an echo of the changing cycles & Losar reminds us of the true nature of impermanence.

"Everything that is born is bound to die. The old year is gone & will never cease to exist again. The new year gives us the opportunity to come together & celebrate; to notice & appreciate each moment, in the moment & to realize the blessings of the teachings."

The first day of Losar is traditionally spent with immediate family. Celebrants wear their new garments to signify a new beginning. There are special dishes & treats. There are prayers in the home for purification & for an auspicious new year. Juniper incense is burnt - this connects earth to heaven - & small amounts of barley flour are thrown into the air to ensure livelihoods & crops.

The second day tends to be when public festivals occur & the third ends with the burning of traditional butter lamps.

Please enjoy the following photos of the Losar Festival presented by the Tibetan Community of Australia. & thanks to all those who gave their permission to be photographed. Losar Tashi Delek!!!

 

~ The Potala Palace ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~Traditional Dress ~

~ Tibetan Artefacts, prayer wheel, dharamaru/drum, lotus flower, bells & dorje ~

~ Mala with 121 beads ~

~ Prayer wheel ~

~ Tibetan Singing ~

~ Prayer shawls ~

~ Children's Art Work ~

~ Dance of the Snow Lions ~

The official symbol of Tibet bringing good luck.

 ~ Traditional Dress ~ chupa/dress & pangden/apron ~

 

~ Dalai Lama in Australia ~

~ Cooking Class ~

~ making tsampa -a dough made with roasted barley flour and yak butter- in a tangu -a skin bag ~

~ Traditional Dance Costume made of cotton & silk ~

~ Long live HH the Dalai Lama ~

~ I genuinely wish you a very happy & auspicious Female Iron Rabbit Year ~

~ May all you realise your sankalpa & dreams, may you stay in good health, may you experience & retain true happiness, may you learn to live in the present moment, may you realize the teachings, may you be dipped in Bliss Divine ~

༆ ༆ ༆

The Simple Things

Today we received the Tibetan Children's Village yearly magazine, Metok It is always an interesting read filled with articles of the general happenings of the 16 schools & 16,000 students of Tibet exiled in India. I read with interest one section where their medical team came to visit the children at the Upper Dharamsala School where our little girl Woeser Lhamo attends & lives. The doctor checked all the children - their height, weight, blood, dental condition, looked in their ears, eyes, nose & throat. Based on the examinations the children visited the hospital according to their appointments. Someone had written the line, "Health is Wealth." I got goosebumps & I cried.

Yes, I'm rich & I am so grateful for my little children's health.

Thank You God.

Here are the most recent photographs of our beautiful Tibetan Goddess of Light, Woeser Lhamo, age 6 years.

Find out more about the 6 Best Doctors here.

Goddess of Light

 

Today is Woeser Lhamo's 6th birthday. Woeser lives at the Tibetan Children's Village in Dharamsala, India. She is a Tibetan refugee & our dear sponsor child. Woeser's mother carried her over the Himalayas when she was almost three. Her parents, farmers who depend totally on their small plot of land for their daily livelihood, wanted their little daughter to grow up with a true Tibetan identity which is not possible under the Chinese Communist regime. Woeser was very fortunate to escape from Tibet along with her mother who later returned to Tibet to join her family.

 

Indira is always so delighted to receive a letter from Woeser. She carefully assesses the stamps, the writing & then quickly opens it to find little messages from abroad & all about what is happening at the Children's Village. Often Woeser - with the assistance of the child sponsorship secretary - will send a letter & a variety of art work, some English writing & some Tibetan writing - Indira often copies some of this.

The Tibetan Children's Villages were set up by the H.H Dalai Lama's elder sister, the late, Mrs. Tsering Dolma Takla. In 1960 she responded to the needs of 51 very young refugees that were crossing the border & also from a near by road construction - malnourished & orphaned. The school has a long history & today they have over 16,726 students  in 16 schools.

Mrs. Tsering Dolma Takla had much insight & 'advertised' for two Montessori trained teachers. Maria Montessori was exhiled from Italy because of her views on World War II. Whilst in India she trained teachers & set up a lot of schools. The Montessori philosophy spread quickly throughout all areas of India. All of the Tibetan Children's Villages teach using the Montessori method. The schools are directed by Jetsun Pema, the Dalai Lama's youngest sister. HH is the patron.

The school's motto is;

Others Before Self.

 

Many nights I have spent wondering what I would do as a mother in this situation - of course I have not been in this situation, it really hurts to imagine this situation & it is one that I hope I never find myself in, any lifetime. I wonder about all the families who have had to separate from their children. I prayer for them & their children.

Woeser Lhamo - pronounced O-ser Larmo - means Goddess of Light. The secretary wrote, "She is friendly by nature & carries a beautiful smile that attracts everyone." We send parcels of Love over to Dharamsala - inside they carry our thoughts, hopes & dreams. One of the dreams - that I feel quite certain about - is that we will meet Woeser Lhamo in Dharamasala. One of the thoughts is that her dear little heart is calm & peaceful. & of the hope, that she; her family, & all Tibetans, will be reunited again in a Free Tibet.

 

Happy Birthday Woeser Lhamo. We Love you. May your light shine bright.

The period of greatest gain in knowledge and experience is the most difficult period in one's life. Through a difficult period you can develop inner strength, determination and courage to face the problems

~ H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama.

Tibetan Prayer Bowl

Our Tibetan Singing bowl has finally got a home of it's own. For a long time I was concerned about the bowl & it's apparent 'lostness' on the family altar. I knew that it was very important for it to be honoured & respected. The bowl represents the element of air through sound.

If you are inclined to make your own, this prayer bowl pillow is like a big pin cushion. I was going to make mine but saw this one at Adyar & thought that I would use the time I would take to make it, to chant instead & also pay respect for all the resources that collectively made this beautiful pillow.

In Buddhist practice, singing bowls are used as a support for meditation, trance induction and prayer. For my own practice I strike it when a particular phrase in a sutra, mantra or prayer is begun or concluded. Singing bowls may also mark the passage of time or signal a change in activity.

Singing bowls are unique because they are multiphonic instruments, producing multiple harmonic overtones at the same time. If you are looking to buy a singing bowl I can recommend the Bodhisattva Trading Company. They are an experienced business, are sympathetic to the plight of the Tibetan people, society & culture & are ethical.

This very short 29 second film shows how to play a prayer bowl.