Tashi Dhondup, Director, Sambhota Educational Home, Dehra Dun, during an audience with the Dalai Lama in McLeod Ganj, India, on 27 November 2019. OHHDL
By Tashi Dhondup
DEHRA DUN, India, 14 December 2019
Thousands of people around the world flock to Dharamshala to catch a glimpse of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the lucky ones get a close-up audience with him. He is the living symbol of peace and compassion for humanity. I, too, visited the hill station of Dharamshala in India’s northern state of Himachal Pradesh for both worldly and spiritual purposes, but especially to fulfil my late father’s fervent wish to present the story of his life as a freedom fighter to His Holiness.
On the 27th of November 2019, I lined up anxiously with pilgrims from all around the world at His Holiness’ residence. I waited patiently with a heart full of reverence and with a great sense of belonging to His Holiness, who is the ultimate protector and role model for all Tibetans. No Tibetan could command so much love, respect, and reverence in our community. It is hard to think of life without him!
Soon he appeared from his residence. His personal attendants escorted him as all of the pilgrims waited patiently for their turn to get his blessing. First, he blessed the pilgrims from Tibet and senior citizens separate from the others, and then it was our turn to line up for his audience. I stood in line, holding the book that represented the memory of my late father, whose story I was going to share with His Holiness and the world. This was the dying wish of my late father Makchi Shangri Lhagyal.
I feel lucky that almost two decades ago, I had the opportunity to invite HH the Dalai Lama to bless and consecrate the Sambhota Educational Home in Dekyiling, Dehra Dun, on 18 November 2000. And now, this time, I am having the audience with HH the Dalai Lama on behalf of my late father, Makchi Shangri Lhagyal.
I travelled from Dehra Dun to Dharamshala, representing our entire family and relatives, with a fervent wish to present our book to HH the Dalai Lama. we had worked tirelessly for many years to bring out this book.
My late father’s memoir, entitled Resistance and Unity: The Chinese Invasion, Makchi Shangri Lhagyal, and a History of Tibet (1947-1959) is written by Tashi Gelek, Dorjee Damdul, and myself Tashi Dhondup, and edited by Carole McGranhan. The book was first launched in Switzerland in September 2019, and is now available worldwide. The book was born out of two audio cassette recordings in which my late father Makchi Shangri Lhagyal narrated his life story and the battles he fought with the Chinese.
When my turn came, I quickly offered the book to His Holiness. Without wasting any precious time, I mustered all my courage to tell him that this book Resistance and Unity is about my late father, who was one of the commanders of Tensung Danglang Mak (the Tibetan Voluntary Army to Defend Buddhism). I explained that my late father wanted to tell his story because His Holiness the Dalai Lama had asked all the freedom fighters to write their story,
His Holiness was very pleased and said, “Good, it is s very important to write books and let the world know the true story of Tibet.”
He held the book fondly and then flipped through the pages. He looked at most of the photos and felt nostalgic, looking at photographs of himself spending Losar with Mao, Zhou Enlai, Panchen Rinpoche, and Liu Shaoqi. He remarked that Zhou Enlai was a tricky man. Another photo of His Holiness’ mother with Pandit Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Tsepon Shakabpa, and Tibetan trade representative Khenchung Lobsang Gyaltsen made him reminiscence about the past. He said, “Nehru did a lot for us.”
He looked closely at the photo of himself being escorted safely to India by the Chushi Gangdruk freedom fighters and asked: “Where are the relatives of Andrug Gompo Tashi?”. Since I was at a loss for a response, Ex-Kalon Tsering Dhondup, who was standing nearby, chimed in and said that they were in the US. His Holiness remarked that the freedom fighters had done their best. He made several comments about other pictures depicting Taring Amala, my late father, and Dr Johannes Schindler, our school sponsor.
I had to explain as quickly as I could, as many other people were waiting for his blessing. While I was caught up with HH with the book, the kids in the audience started to get impatient. They made some noises. Seeing that, His Holiness the Dalai Lama asked the attendants to hand them candies, and it worked for the kids miraculously, for they become quiet again.
Finally, His Holiness blessed me and my rosary, and asked me to carry on the good works I was doing, before posing for the photo. The golden countenance of HH the Dalai Lama is sparkling, and a calming and serene atmosphere descended upon the waiting people. It was a moment of unexplainable bliss.
HH the Dalai Lama took about five minutes with me and the book, and it was a most uplifting experience. I felt as if a burden had been taken off me as I emerged from his residence, with a phenomenal sense of being blessed and of fulfilment. This was the most significant moment of my life. I was able to fulfil my late father’s dream to speak from his heart to His Holiness about his and other freedom fighters’ humble life and sacrifices for the cause of Tibet. As His Holiness always says, each one of us has a responsibility to fulfill for the cause of Tibet.
My father, late Shangri Lhagyal, sacrificed everything defending His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Buddhism, and the country of Tibet while serving as a commander in Chushi Gangdruk. Getting this special attention from His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his book Resistance and Unity means so much. It is a great honour for both the dead and the living.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is and has always been a symbol of the Tibet nation and the Tibetan people, and has represented Buddhist values and traditions in the best possible ways to the world. He is undoubtedly the most effective spokesman of the Tibet issue.
Following this audience, I renewed my pledge to carry on the spirit of the Tibetan freedom fighters in restoring freedom in Tibet and abiding by the wishes and guidance of HH the Dalai Lama.
Lastly, I pray for His Holiness Long life:
In this Pure Land surrounded by the snowy mountains,
You are the source of all benefit and happiness, without exception
All-powerful Avalokiteshvara, Tenzin Gyatso
May you stay immovable until Samsara becomes exhausted.
The story of the writing of Resistance and Unity is here on Tibet Sun.
About the author
Tashi Dhondup is the Director of Sambhota Educational Home, Dehra Dun. He can be reached at [email protected]
Congratulations for your ability to present the book to the Dalai Lama, you are really lucky for having got such a rare opportunity. Dalai Lama is so approachable, and he cares for everyone.
Look at the picture, he has such a glow on his face, Tibetans need not worry about his departure. The Dalai Lama will live long to witness some historic changes in the world.
The Tibetan people will only advance when there is a good culture of reading. Unfortunately, Tibetan society doesn’t seem to be a reading society. I have been in Asia and in the West and have seen Tibetans in both situations, where the individual reading habit is pretty scant. Tibetans in the West maybe read a little bit more. But compared to the West, Tibetan people are still far behind in catching up reading. Elderly Tibetans read scriptures and prayer books without fully understanding the meaning of it.
Without reading, there is a lack of critical thinking, and without critical thinking people tend to have a herd mentality. Therefore reading any history or other books is an education that pays handsome dividends. There is a good program at VOA, where they talk about books and discuss it. I hope that the Tibetan people in general wake up and undertake a reading revolution, that will change everyone’s outlook for the better.
Such an amazing book, and a beautiful moment shared by one of the authors and His Holiness. It is amazing to see how far the Tibetan community has come, and to be able to rejoice in the fruits of hard work and love with His Holiness himself. More and more books are coming out not just on the history of Tibet itself, but the Tibetan experience. This is so important, and as a young adult I am excited to hear more stories about my ancestors through such outlets.
Tibetans will go on to live even without the Dalai Lama. It is naïve for some Tibetans to think that in the absence of the Dalai Lama, the entire Tibetan cause will fizzle out. Many Tibetans had the same knee-jerk reactions when HH the Dalai Lama devolved His political power to elected leadership.
It has been years without the Dalai Lama carrying any political responsibility, and Tibetan issues are growing stronger by the day. HHDL even asked everyone to go on and do their responsibilities as if he is no longer on the scene. That is what all Tibetans should do as per his wish. HHDL’s shoes are too big for anyone to fill, as he is a moral giant. However Tibetan people need to care for themselves, an icon like the Dalai lama will not remain there forever, whereas the Tibetan race need to continue their fight against the oppressor.
From writer to politician, reincarnate Lama and everyone in Tibetan society uses the Dalai Lama to prop up their standing and acceptance in society.
While an audience with HH the Dalai Lama is truly inspirational and fortunate, it should not be used for personal gain. Whether the book is good or bad, readers will decide. Sorry, I have nothing against this author. He seems to be a genuine guy, but I can’t bear to see many in Tibetan society, flashing the Dalai Lama to bolster their stature, which I think is unethical.
His Holiness has preached before on the importance of storytelling, and sharing the true history of Tibet and the experience of Tibetans especially in these times. I do not think this article, that highlights the story of his late father, nor his experience in sharing his work with His Holiness, is a way to “bolster their stature” nor is it unethical. If anything it is clear he is writing to say he feels blessed to be able to share the work of the blood, sweat and tears behind the person in this story and the process of writing it, and seeing the one person (His Holiness) that has been kept in mind throughout the whole process. I am not speaking to others who you may feel do such things, but it certainly isn’t this author. And I say this after having read reviews and the book itself, which I recommend to you as well.
Even if it is not intended, anything that the Dalai Lama touches becomes gold. I say it to compliment the writer, for writing a book is not easy and they deserve the highest respect. But there are other people, who always abuses the good name of HH by attaching the Dalai Lama’s name to everything for self serving purposes. No one should abuse the power of Dalai Lama’s picture to cash on their selfish interest.
This article was prompted by the meeting with the Dalai Lama. I am sure every Tibetan and others have similar feelings of bliss and inspiration, but not many take the time to write it.
Thank you to the writer Tashi Dhondup. You are the man. You have beautifully and clearly captured the moment of your personal audience with the Dalai Lama.
The freedom fighter’s memoir seemed to be an interesting one, as I have already heard about it. I was touched that HH received the book with such care and attention. It was indeed a very fulfilling job, to write the book and according to the dying wish of the freedom fighter present it to Dalai Lama.
May the spirit and courage of the elder Tibetan generation live long!