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Tibet
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Tibet, Mt. Kailash
Ritual dances
Chinese invade Tibet
Police torture instruments
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Geography
Tibet is the world's largest highland area. Surrounded by the Himalayan
mountains, which tower up to 8,000 meters (26,250 feet) and above, lies
the country's populated plateau, located between 3,600 and 5,200 meters
(11,800 to 16,400 feet). The country known as the "roof of the world"
extends over a total area of 1,23 million square kilometers.
History
In the seventh century, under King Songsten Gampo, Tibet experienced an
enormous cultural and economic upswing, which led to its transformation
from a nomadic society to one whose people led a fixed existence with a
central administration. The city of Lhasa was founded, which has been the
political and religious center of Tibet ever since.
A decisive influence on Tibet's development came with the introduction of
Buddhism, which was brought into the country from India. The following
centuries saw the development of a high culture, based on the religio-
philosophical system of Buddhism, which also influenced the surrounding
countries. Its emphasis on compassion, wisdom and tolerance fostered a
peace-loving attitude on the part of Tibet's population, who were at the
same time cut off from external influences and modern developments.
The country remained practically inaccessible to foreigners long into the
last century.
Occupation and exile
With the occupation in 1950, troops of the People's Republic of China
marched into Lhasa and would soon destroy Tibet's culture and forms of
religious expression. 1.2 million Tibetans died as a result of the Chinese
invasion and more than 6,000 monasteries and other holy places were
razed to the ground. Around 100,000 Tibetans, among them H.H. the
Dalai Lama and the majority of Tibet's intellectual elite, were forced to flee
into exile. The Dalai Lama and most of the compatriots who fled with him
made a new home in India. Europe's largest Tibetan community is to be
found in Switzerland, where 2,000 Tibetans now live.
Current situation
Today China rules Tibet with an iron fist. Tibetans - among them monks
and nuns - are being imprisoned and tortured for demanding the
independence of their country, where there is no room for political
opposition. As a result of a deliberate policy of settlement by Han Chinese,
the six million Tibetans are suffering the indignity of becoming a minority
in their own country, and in terms of language Chinese is superseding
Tibetan even in the schools and universities. Particularly alarming is the
plundering of Tibet's natural resources: Beijing is depleting the country's
large wood, ore and mineral resources and transporting them to China.
Furthermore, China is also storing nuclear waste in Tibet.
H. H. the Dalai Lama
In spite of the desperate situation in his homeland, H.H. the Dalai Lama
continues to adhere to a path of non-violence. His view is that the Tibet
problem can only be solved through dialogue and negotiation with the
Chinese rulers. Up to now, however, the Chinese government has refused
all discussion of the matter. "Time is running out" declares the Tibetan
leader. Tibetan culture and religion in Tibet are on the verge of obliteration.
Very soon they will only survive in exile.
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H.H. the Dalai Lama mentioned on different occasions the responsibility of engaged Buddhists
to support the Tibetan people´s struggle for freedom, because it is directly linked with the survival
of Tibetan Buddhism.
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Tibet Support Groups
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Policeman arresting monk |
Purpose and aim of Tibet
Support Groups
Tibet Support Groups take it as their
duty to help Tibetans in Tibet
as well
as in exile and to inform the public on
the actual political and
humanitarian situation in Tibet.
They also draw attention to worldwide
projects
for support of Tibet.
Tibet Support Groups in Austria
· Gesellschaft für bedrohte Völker
Tibetkoordination
Daniela Luschin,
Prinz Eugen Str. 52/5, A
- 1040 Wien.
Tel.: +43 - 1/ 34990
email: Daniela.Luschin@blackbox.net
· Save Tibet
Elisabeth Zimmermann, Lobenhauerngasse 5,
A - 1170 Wien.
Tel.: +43- 1/4849087 email: save.tibet@gmx.at
· Tibetan Community of Austria
Lobsang Gyalpo, Neustift am Walde 26-28/8, A - 1190 Wien,
Tel.: +43/1-4402375
· Tibetan Nomads
Amchok Choetar, Breitenfeldergasse 18/10, A - 1080,
Tel.: +43/1-4077438
· Verein Freunde Tibets
Michael Lugger, Albertgasse 30/2/13, A - 1080 Wien
Links:
Comprehensive information and link collection
on Tibet and Austria provided
by SAVE TIBET in collaboration with Tibetergemeinschaft in Österreich:
www.logic.at/tibet/
further addresses:
www.tibet.com
www.tibet.org
www.tibet.net
www.amnesty.org
www.savetibet.org
www.tibetinfo.net
www.tibetfund.org
Students for a Free Tibet
www.tibetaid.org
www.tibetfocus.com
www.tibet-initiative.de
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