Geneva: The Second Geneva Summit on Human Rights, Tolerance and Democracy is being organised jointly by over 25 human rights groups from across the globe.

The Tibetan Women’s Association in Switzerland is one of the organisers of the two-day conference which started yesterday in Geneva. The conference features political dissidents and activists from Iran, China, Cuba, North Korea, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burma and Vietnam.

John Suarez of the Cuban democracy group, Directorio, opened the session. Recalling the spirit of the summit’s co-chairs, Vaclav Havel and Lech Walesa, he urged human rights defenders to come together, brainstorm and collaborate.

Another Cuban dissident, Nestor Rodríguez Lobaina, has been barred by the Cuban government to attend the conference. “Yet, thanks to the mobilization of international organizations and civil society, you can contribute to making sure democracies fulfill their responsibility to humanity,” said Isabel Rochat, Conseil d’Etat of Geneva. “We may forgive but we will never forget. That is the best response to indifference.”

Speakers of the first panel titled “Rising Powers, Rising Rights Compliance? Case Study of China” included Ms. Rabi Kadeer, Uyghur activist, Ms. Phuntsog Nyidron, former Tibetan political prisoner and Mr.Yang Jianli, Chinese dissident who shared their personal stories of suffering and survival from brutal oppression of Chinese communist regime.

Called the “mother of the Uyghur nation,” Rebiya Kadeer spent six years in a Chinese prison after standing up to the authoritarian Chinese government. Her own sons are serving decade long sentences in China without due process. She also told that the case of a young Uyghur protester, whose wounded, lifeless body was anonymously returned to his family. The Chinese government has cut internet and telephone communications,” said Kadeer. Many other such cases exist and are not recorded.

Moderator Ambassador Alfred Moses underlined that “the repressive regime in China will not survive. Oppression cannot survive. “

The panel’s second speaker, Mr. Yang Jianli, said that he was locked in solitary confinement for five years after taking part in the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square. He pressed the importance of the Internet to push forward democracy in China. Mr. Jianli said, “The cost of censorship will outpace the cost of circumventing censorship. It will be impossible to maintain, China will not be able to control the will of a billion citizens.”

Ms. Phuntsok Nyidron, former political prisoner and the recipient of 1996 Reebok Human Rights Award said that she was given total of 17 years sentence. Her crimes were secretly recording songs with inmates in praise of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in prison and saying “Long Live Dalai Lama and “Free Tibet”.

She further said that “I want to tell you what a day was like in a Chinese prison. My right hand was stretched over my right shoulder and a guard stood on a table and pulled me up by my handcuffs. Electric batons were put in my mouth, my fingers were poked by shoe sewing machine needles and cigarettes burned on my face. I was shocked with electric wires until I fell unconscious. The prison guard poured cold water to wake me up and tortured me again. That day, I was neither given a single drop of water nor food.”

She urged audiences to help protect and support rights of Tibetan people who have been struggling for their basic rights under brutal Chinese communist regime through non-violence.

According to organisers, over 800 participants had signed up to this conference from 50 countries. Yesterday’s conference was attended by over 200 people including some diplomats.

–Report filed by Tenzin Samphel, Office of Tibet, Geneva

Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama lauded the unflinching courage and sincerity of Tibetans living inside Tibet in raising their voices for the cause of Tibet, which he described as an issue of truth and justice. (Click here to watch video)

His Holiness expressed deep appreciation for the long life prayer offerings presented to him by the Central Tibetan Administration and the people of Tibet out of common reverence, bond, sincerity, aspiration and hope.

We offer prayers to those Tibetans who sacrificed their lives for Tibet under the repression of the Chinese government, His Holiness the Dalai Lama told a large Tibetan congregation at the main Buddhist temple here this morning. Thousands of Tibetans attended the official long life offering ceremony.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama prayed for the speedy recovery and long life of thousands of Tibetans who were wounded by brutal Chinese police beatings during the peaceful protests throughout Tibet since 10 March 2008.

The officials of Central Tibetan Administration wait in queue carrying auspicious offerings for His Holiness the Dalai Lama/Photo: Sangay Kyap/TibetNet

His Holiness expressed gratitude to Tibetans living inside Tibet for keeping up their sincerity and determination. His Holiness said though Tibetans are physically living under the repression of the Chinese government, but they are very much united in their hearts to struggle for their rights and truth of Tibet’s cause.

Describing the cultural heritage of Tibet as precious gem of the world, His Holiness told Tibetans to carefully study it in order to preserve the rich tradition. His Holiness also underlined that Tibetans must excel in both traditional Tibetan studies and modern education.

His Holiness told Tibetans who are living in free world not to squander their time and opportunities in taking the responsibility as Tibetans inside Tibet pin their hopes on them.

The long life offering ceremony was the part of official commemoration of the 50th anniversaries of the Tibetan people’s peaceful uprising against the repression and occupation of Tibet by the People’s Republic of China, and the exile of the Tibetan government and its people to India from 10 March 2009 to 10 March 2010.

Dharamshala: A two-day deliberation on how to facilitate and empower Tibetan women to take full and active participation in social, political and economic and other administrative activities in the exile community started this morning at Gangchen Kyishong.

Around 40 women participants and representatives from departments and offices of the Central Tibetan Administration are taking part in the first-ever symposium on women empowerment from 4 – 5 March. It is an initiative of the Social and Resource Development Fund (SARD) under the supervision of the Kashag and Department of Finance.

On 2 September 2008, the incumbent 13th Kashag laid down policy vision for the empowerment of Tibetan women in the diaspora. SARD has been initiating a series of programmes including trainings, discussions, workshops and counsellings to educate and encourage Tibetan women to take more proactive role at various administrative levels.

In his keynote address to the participants, Kalon Tripa Prof Samdong Rinpoche said since the beginning of human civilization in Tibet, Tibetans in their entire history have not experienced problems such as gender inequality or gender oppression and exploitation. Particularly since the spread of Buddhism in Tibet, the importance of gender equality explained in Buddhist teachings have flourished in Tibet, and continue to do so even to this day, he added.

Kalon Tripa stressed that the “core objective of the women empowerment programme is not to demand rights for the women, but to invoke and activate the inherent power of womanhood”.

two-day symposium on Tibetan women's empowerment in Dharamsala on 4 March 2010

“The idea of Tibetan women empowerment is provide equal opportunity to women so that they do not lack behind in taking up their share of universal responsibility,” Kalon Tripa said.

Kalon Tripa presented the proportion of male and female participation in the Central Tibetan Administration and in various regional level institutions.

The total number of official civil servants is 464 out of which the male and female ratio is 309/155. Out of total of more than 700 staff working in Tibetan settlement offices in India and Nepal, the ratio is 446/274. The strength of women in the governing bodies of cooperative societies is low which is only 25 against 229 men. The figure is also at the low of 16 against 190 in Rawang Denpai Legul Tsokchung. Out of 206 local leaders (gyapon) only 24 are women.

Kalon Tripa said emphasis must be laid on efforts to increase the number of Tibetan women’s participation in the Tibetan parliament, local Tibetan assemblies, board of directors of cooperative societies, Rawang Denpai Legul Tsokchung and local leadership in Tibetan settlements in India, Nepal and Bhutan.

He emphasised that there should be some tangible increase in the number of Tibetan women participation in these institutions within a span of next 10 years.

A group of panelists, including Dr Juile Thekkudan of Society for Participatory Research in Asia, Ms Dolkar Wangmo, counselor at the department of education and Ms Tenzin Dhardon Sharling, research and media officer at the Tibetan Women’s Association, will preside over a panel discussion.

Kasur Jetsun Pema, Kasur Rinchen Khando and Mr Jampel Choesang, Chief Election Commissioner and Chairman of Public Service Commission were present at the inaugural session.

Larry King during an interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama

His Holiness started his second day in Los Angeles with a forty-five minute interview with Larry King on popular talk show – Larry King Live. King started off by asking about His Holiness’ meeting with President Obama and asked what His Holiness wanted from Obama. His Holiness answered that he stated his three main commitments: promotion of human values, promotion of religious harmony and the Tibetan issue.

His Holiness said he had “requested President Obama to urge the Chinese government for dialogue and contact with the Tibetans, and requested help, such as scholarships, for Tibetans in refugee communities as well as Tibetans in Tibet”.

Larry King asked His Holiness if America could maintain good relations with China while at the same time supporting Tibetan independence. His Holiness answered that “there was no contradiction in keeping good relations with China and supporting Tibet because they were not seeking independence but a genuine autonomy. Our concern is basic rights for the six million Tibetans inside Tibet”.

“Every Tibetan wants a modernised Tibet and to remain part of China can ensure this,” His Holiness added. His Holiness called his approach the Middle Way Approach and stressed, “Our approach is in the best interest of China”.

Highlight of Day’s Other Programmes

Earlier at 8:45 am His Holiness met with board members and staff of the Whole Child International. His Holiness held a brief informal question and answer session with sponsors of Whole Child International. There were around sixteen people including Cher and Chris Rock. They asked His Holiness’ opinions on topics ranging from leadership ethics to childcare to cultivation of inner peace. In his answers, His Holiness stressed that not just money but values such as freedom and free information were very important. His Holiness said: “In order to utilise human creativity properly, you need free information without censorship or restriction.”

Later in the afternoon His Holiness gave a public talk to almost 6,000 people on ‘Cultivating Compassion and Needs of Vulnerable Children’ at Gibson Amphitheater, Universal City.

The talk was organised by Whole Child International, and focused on cultivating compassion and inner peace. Renowned singer Sheryl Crow sang three songs.

In his address, His Holiness said the 20th century was a crucial century for human history. In the 20th century, people created wonderful technology and human society became very advanced in some ways but on the other hand, over 200 million people were killed in this century. “In ancient times,” His Holiness said, “destruction of your enemy meant victory for yourself.” Now it’s different; the destruction of your enemy is the destruction of yourself. His Holiness stated that therefore disarmament was very important. He made a distinction between two types of disarmament: external and internal. His Holiness said, “Without internal disarmament, change is not lasting. Therefore, cultivate compassion.”

His Holiness particularly emphasised the “role of education in developing compassion so that intellectual development is concurrent with moral development”. His Holiness urged that children should be taught the value of compassion when they are small. His Holiness said that Tibetan parents teach their children not to kill insects and the children grow up to value all life. If children do not value insect life, that can be a slippery slope to devaluing all life. His Holiness also pointed out that compassion reduces blood pressure, tension and stress, and induces sound sleep and good digestion. His Holiness said, “The real healing power is compassion.”

During the question and answer session, His Holiness was asked how parents should teach privileged children to understand how lucky they are. His Holiness remarked that there is a question of how to introduce the value of compassion in a modern education system, and a pressing need to teach values in a secular way to children from kindergarten to university.

His Holiness was also asked if he planned on going back to Tibet. His Holiness said there was “always a desire to return,” but the Chinese leadership, which slanders him and calls him an enemy, would have a hard time justifying to its citizens why His Holiness was let inside the country. So His Holiness said he was trying to improve his relationship with the Chinese government. He reiterated that the issue of Tibet is not a Dalai Lama issue, but the issue of the Tibetan people.

Tomorrow His Holiness travels to Florida where he will give two public talks.

–Reporting by Tenzin Dickyi, Office of Tibet, New York. Editing by Lobsang Choedak

Washington, DC: US President Barack Obama met this morning at the White House with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. The President stated his “strong support for the preservation of Tibet’s unique religious, cultural and linguistic identity and the protection of human rights for Tibetans in the People’s Republic of China”.

The President commended the Dalai Lama’s “Middle Way” approach, his commitment to nonviolence and his pursuit of dialogue with the Chinese government. The President stressed that he has “consistently encouraged both sides to engage in direct dialogue to resolve differences and was pleased to hear about the recent resumption of talks”.

The President and the Dalai Lama agreed on the importance of a positive and cooperative relationship between the United States and China.

“Today’s meeting is a clear demonstration of President Obama’s support for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s efforts to resolve the Tibet issue as well as of his personal respect for him,” said Lodi Gyari, the Special Envoy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Washington, DC: His Holiness the Dalai Lama began his programme with a visit to the White House for his meeting with President Barack Obama. On his arrival at the White House, His Holiness was received by Ambassador Capricia Marshall, the Chief of Protocol of the United States Government and was led to the Map Room. His Holiness was accompanied by Special Envoy Lodi Gyari, Representative Lobsang Nyandak Zayul and Secretary Tenzin N. Taklha. President Obama was accompanied to the meeting by Presidential Advisor Valerie Jarrett and Senior Asia Director Jeff Bader.

His Holiness and the President met from around 11:20 till around 12:30 pm. In a statement the White House Press Secretary said “the President commended the Dalai Lama’s “Middle Way” approach, his commitment to nonviolence and his pursuit of dialogue with the Chinese government.”

His Holiness gave a brief remark to the White House press during which he expanded on what he had discussed with the President. (click here to watch) His Holiness said he felt honoured meeting the President of the greatest democratic country. Since childhood, His Holiness said he had admired America, not as a military power, but as a champion of human value and human creativity. His Holiness told the media that he had apprised President Obama about his three commitments of promoting human values, promoting religious harmony, and resolving the Tibetan issue. Female biologically more sensitive to others’ pain and suffering and the President agreed with this. I said I wished that more female should take leadership role. On the second commitment, he suggested that while keeping to one’s own religion people should respect others’ religious tradition.

On the third commitment on the issue of Tibet, His Holiness said that since 2001 there is an elected leader who takes the lead. He jokingly said that usually he introduced the elected leader as his boss, while spiritually he was the boss of the elected leader.

His Holiness said the President himself inquired about the issue of Tibet. His Holiness reiterated his full commitment to the Middle Way Approach. He said he thanked the President for his interest. Even before his elections, he showed his concern, His Holiness said. After his election, the President continued this concern, including during his visit to Beijing last year, he added.

In the afternoon, on his way to the State Department to meet Secretary Hillary Clinton, His Holiness stopped briefly outside the hotel while a crowd of Tibetans had gathered to greet him. Majority of them had come down from New York to participate in the welcome events that the Tibetan communities in the Washington, D.C. Area and New York had planned at the White House today. These Tibetans showed strong emotion as His Holiness appeared before them and bursts into sobs and prayers for His Holiness’ long life.

At the State Department, Secretary Hillary Clinton was joined in the meeting by Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State and Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues; Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific; and David Shear, Deputy Assistant Secretary.

On his return from the State Department His Holiness addressed the media gathered outside the hotel and took some questions from them.

His Holiness talked about President Obama’s support of his approach. When asked how the Administration would implement this, His Holiness said time will tell saying nobody can predict.

When asked what kind of reaction he expected from China to today’s meeting, His Holiness said he felt almost certain that there would be some negative reaction, some criticism, some scolding.

His Holiness said he wanted to tell the Chinese leadership, to look at every issue in a more holistic view. He said they can then get fuller knowledge about the reality. By looking at any problem from just one side, His Holiness said one can’t see the reality fully thus making one’s approach unrealistic. He said it was in this context that some Chinese policy looks very childish to some people.

When asked whether he felt frustrated to come back here year after year with so little changing in Tibet, His Holiness said he did not feel so. He added that the important thing is that we have the truth, basic right and reasonable right. He said therefore it was worthwhile to make an attempt adding that it did not matter whether we realise this goal within one’s own lifetime or not.

He said the issue is something worthwhile, something that benefits not only Tibetans, but also in whole Asia, and, particularly, millions of young Chinese. He said 50 years have passed and we never gave up our hope.

When asked whether they had talked about US-China relations, His Holiness said they did and recalled his basic position on how the world should engage with China. His Holiness said during the time when discussions where going on in the United States as to whether China should be given the Most Favored Nation status, he had supported it.

His Holiness said while the world should engage in economic development relations with China, there was also the responsibility to bring China into mainstream of world democracy. His Holiness said the hardliners in the Chinese leadership perceive the term democracy to be negative and argue that Western style of democracy may not fit Asia. His Holiness said that India and Japan very successfully practice democracy.

His Holiness said China’s ultimate ambition is to become superpower and added that in order to become superpower, moral authority is a very important condition. He said superpower in the sense of military force, like that of the former Soviet Union, brought more fear, more distrust, and more discomfort. On the other hand, a superpower like the United States, which is an open society, democratic, independent judiciary, brings more, sort of, trust, more comfort. His Holiness said China eventually should be such a superpower, which brings happiness, satisfaction, and calm. His Holiness said transparency and free media were essential in this.

His Holiness said that whenever he met with some Chinese friends, Chinese professors, and scholars, he talked about the need for China to be an open society. Then, trust can develop, he said. His Holiness also talked about the need for genuine friendship between India and China, the two most populated nations. He said that genuine friendship only comes on the basis of mutual trust.

His Holiness said he had also discussed with the President about development in the American society. He said President Lincoln had abolished slavery while Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights. He said it was now great that a non-white has become the President of the United States. His Holiness recalled hearing the news of President Obama’s election victory while he was attending a meeting of Gandhians in the Indian city of Pune. His Holiness said everyone clapped which indicated that Obama’s elections impacted not only the United States but also the world.

When asked whether India was with him on this political journey, His Holiness replied, “India is my home.”

Thereafter, His Holiness met with Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar, former Under Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary and Special Coordinator on Tibetan Issues Maria Otero and some Tibetans.

In the evening His Holiness attended a Tibetan New Year reception hosted by the Aspen Institute.

–Report filed by Mr Bhuchung K Tsering of ICT

Dharamshala: Tibetans living near the birthplace of His Holiness of the Dalai Lama in Tibet’s Amdo Province welcomed Thursday’s scheduled meeting between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and US President Barack Obama with incense burning ceremony (Sangsol) and fireworks, Reuters news agency reported Wednesday.

Reuters reported of “midnight display of fireworks along a valley dotted with Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in Rebgong”.

“My heart is filled with joy,” said Johkang, showing off an enormous smile, standing at his monastery. “It is so important for us that this is happening, that the US has not given in to threats and will meet our leader,” added the monk.

Tibetans set off fireworks at this time of year anyway to mark the start of their traditional lunar new year.

But many Tibetan monks in Rebgong told Reuters that this year they were also marking His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s scheduled meeting in the White House.

“We do this whenever something big, and good happens,” said Losan, swathed in the vermillion robes of a Buddhist holy man, standing on a hillside above a monastery where monks were lighting fireworks in the early hours of Thursday.

“He’s really going to meet Obama?” interrupted a monk standing next to him, sounding somewhat incredulous.

“I heard it on Voice Of America,” Losan told him confidently.

The sound of conch shells being blown echoed around the valley as a group of monks burned an offering of flour and a ceremonial Tibetan scarf on a fire.

“I’m very excited about who the Dalai Lama is going to meet,” said one Tibetan woman, who declined to be identified citing the sensitive nature of the topic. “But I worry about what measures the government could take against us in retaliation.”

Word of the His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s meeting with Obama has filtered through to Amdo through Tibetan-language foreign radio broadcasts, monks told Reuters.

Some spoke proudly of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in 1989.

“That the 1.3 billion Han Chinese have never had one of their number win a Nobel prize and that we have, with just 6 million people, says something powerful,” said a monk named Tedan. “Now you understand why we love him so much.”

While technically Tibetan monasteries are not permitted to show pictures of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, many in Amdo do.

Still, a sense of wariness pervades Rebgong.

A large new paramilitary police headquarters is being built outside the county seat, and monks mutter about occasional fines if their public devotion to His Holiness the Dalai Lama becomes too much.

“CCTV is always saying this and that about His Holiness and about us Tibetans,” said monk Tarkey, referring to China’s main state-run television network. “The world will get a better idea about who he is once he meets Obama.”

“The President would simply encourage the two parties to continue to talk,” said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, about the meeting between Obama and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

He said a briefing would be provided after the two leaders met Thursday morning in the White House Map Room where US presidents normally meet visiting heads of state.

During the ninth round of talks held in China from 26 – 31 January, the envoys of His Holiness the Dalai Lama had urged the Chinese leadership to work with His Holiness to find a mutually acceptable solution to the Tibetan problem based on the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People.

“The fundamental issue that needs to be resolved is the faithful implementation of genuine autonomy that will enable the Tibetan people to govern themselves in accordance with their own genius and needs,” the envoys told the Chinese leadership. (Click here for full coverage of press briefing by two envoys)

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks on behalf of the Tibetan people, with whom he has a deep and historical relationship and one based on full trust. It cannot be disputed that His Holiness legitimately represents the Tibetan people, and he is certainly viewed as their true representative and spokesperson by them. It is indeed only by means of dialogue with His Holiness the Dalai Lama that the Tibetan issue can be resolved. The recognition of this reality is important.

“We emphasised the point that His Holiness’ engagement for the cause of Tibet is not for the purpose of claiming certain personal rights or political position for himself, nor attempting to stake claims for the Tibetan Administration in Exile.”

Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama presided over religious ceremonies at the main Buddhist temple in Dharamshala this morning, marking Losar or the “Year 2137 of the Iron-Tiger” of Tibetan calender. (click here for audio and video webcast)

Later, His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivered a brief address to thousands of Tibetans gathered for the ceremony.

His Holiness offered greetings to Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet and people of the Himalayan region who share same culture and religion as Tibetans. His Holiness extended his good wishes and gratitude to the international community for taking interest in and supporting the just cause of Tibetans.

“Despite facing great problems in Tibet for many years, the Tibetan people living inside have shown indomitable courage and sincerity in standing up to the situation,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

His Holiness said “Tibetans in living in many parts of Tibet are marking the year as a year of remembrance of Tibetan people’s suffering,” adding that “they refrain from festivities during the Losar.” With such sentiments of our brethren in Tibet, His Holiness advised Tibetans to offer prayers by engaging in religious ceremonies and eschew festive celebrations.”

His Holiness “reminds Tibetans living in the free world, not to forget the critical situation in Tibet”. “The Tibetans in exile must keep up their sincerity and courage like their brethren in Tibet,” His Holiness added.

Speaking of education, His Holiness “urged Tibetans, Mongolians and the people of Himalayan region to put more efforts in education, and to excel in the study of Tibetan Buddhism”. His Holiness “underlined the study of Tibet’s unique secular education, particularly the philosophy of religion”.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama leads an early morning prayer ceremony in Dharamsala, India, on 14 February 2010

The day began at 7:00 am with an early morning ceremony of offering prayers and ceremonial cake(Tse-Tor) to goddess Palden Lhamo, the supreme hierarchy of Dharma protectors. The abbot of Namgyal Monastery offered Mendel Tensum, auspicious offerings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The officials of the Central Tibetan Administration, including the chief justice commissioner, justice commissioners, speaker and members of Tibetan Parliament, Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and members of the Kashag, were present.

This is was followed by another prayer service in the main shrine hall, during which the abbot of Namgyal Monastery, the chief justice commissioner, speaker of the Tibetan Parliament and Kalon Tripa, presented auspicious offerings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A group of monks participated in a religious debate.

Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration will organise a function on 25 February 2010 to commemorate the centenary of The Thirteenth Dalai Lama’s exile to India, the Kashag Secretariat said in an announcement Monday.

Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and the speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, Mr Penpa Tsering, will address the ceremony at Tsuglagkhang, the main Buddhist temple in Dharamsala. Later in the afternoon, Kalon Tripa will speak on the accomplishments of The Thirteenth Dalai Lama to an exclusive audience of officials of the Central Tibetan Administration.

The Thirteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet, Thupten Gyatso, took refuge in India from 1910 – 1911 following the Chinese invasion of Tibet led by General Chao Er-feng.

The Thirteenth Dalai Lama was born in the year of the Fire Bird in 1876 at Thakpo Langdun in south Tibet to Kunga Rinchen and Lobsang Dolma, a peasant couple.

In 1878, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama following predictions from the state oracles and auspicious signs at his birth. He was escorted to Lhasa where he was ordained into monkhood by the Panchen Lama, Tenpai Wangchuk, and was given the name Ngawang Lobsang Thupten Gyatso Jigdral Chokley Namgyal. In 1879, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama was enthroned at the Potala Palace.

On 8 August 1895, he assumed political power and was thrown into the thick of the Great Game played out by Czarist Russia and British India on the fringes of their sprawling empires. He went through the British invasion of Tibet in 1904 and the Chinese invasion of his country in 1909 and survived both experiences, with his authority enormously enhanced.

When the news spread in 1909 that Chao Er-feng, a Chinese General, was at the gate of Lhasa, the Dalai Lama and some of the most important officials fled Lhasa and headed to India. The group crossed Dromo and negotiated the Jelep-la pass, which separates Tibet from Sikkim.

In 1911, the Manchu Dynasty was overthrown and the Tibetans took this opportunity to expel the remnant Manchu forces from Tibet. The Dalai Lama returned to Tibet and went on to exercise a political authority not seen since the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama. Besides attempting to modernise Tibet, the Dalai Lama also tried to eliminate some of the more oppressive features of the Tibetan monastic system. While in exile in India, the Dalai Lama was fascinated with the modern world and he introduced the first currencies and coins of Tibet. In 1913, he established the first post office in Tibet and he also sent four young Tibetans to England to study engineering. On 8 January 1913 he made the public statement of the five points of Tibetan Independence and he composed the present day Tibetan National Anthem.

In 1914, he strengthened the Tibetan military force by organising special training for the Tibetan army. In 1916, he selected several young and intelligent monks from various monasteries to preserve the unique Tibetan medical tradition and he established the Tibetan Medical Institute which is well know today as Men-Tse Khang. In 1923, he established a police headquarters in Lhasa for the security and welfare of the Tibetan people and in the same year, he also established the first English school in Gyaltse. He died in 1933 at the age of fifty-eight.