Nurture the Seeds of Tibet
by Changchup Dolma
It is time for all Tibetans — from individuals to families, from families to Social Affiliated Groups, and from these groups to the elite — to devise their own long− and short−term strategies for the cause of Tibet. Tibetans inside Tibet have done their part by fearlessly fighting for freedom and their rights in the face of China’s brutal crackdown since March, and Tibetans outside should not let that blood be shed in vain. I do not wish the Special Meeting to prolong our five decades of debate between Middle Way and Rangzen. China clearly has shown no regard for either one. Churning water will make no butter. The time and environment do not favor us at this moment.
Thus, I hope the Special Meeting at Dharamsala will focus on uniting Tibetans inside and outside Tibet. Together we must plan how best to educate the future seeds of Tibet, how to recognize and make good use of one another’s strengths and abilities, and how to lobby for worldwide support. Our energy and determination must not yield to frustration. When China tries to outwit us, we must get stronger and wiser each time.
- We must provide for the education of all Tibetan children in modern as well as Tibetan Buddhist culture, so that they’ll be wise enough to take the cause of Tibet into their hands when their time comes.
- The children of Tibet should be imbued with a sense of national identity and purpose, knowing and valuing their Tibetan culture.
- We should create opportunities for Tibetan youth to work for the Tibetan government−in−exile, for example as interns or contact persons, so they will feel they are part of the government.
- Tibetans living in the West should offer financial support to our unfortunate brothers and sisters in Tibet who can’t afford higher education in China. By enabling them to undertake professional studies, we’ll help them be intellectually prepared to administer a Free Tibet when the time is ripe.
- We should work to establish more friendly contacts with Chinese communities, try to make them understand the grave situation inside Tibet and the policies of the government−in−exile with regard to Sino−Tibetan problems.
United, we must lend our unwavering support and stand by the decisions of the Tibetan government−in−exile headed by H.H. Dalai Lama; we must give the Chinese Communist Party no opportunity to divide us and create dissension within Tibetan communities. I think we, the people, should plan harder for the future of Tibet while the Tibetan government−in−exile continues to address Sino−Tibetan problems with Chinese officials.