spread the word my freinds
got this from Chantel's journal:
Dear Friend,
I would like to commend the International Campaign for Tibet for the tremendous contribution it has made in gathering support for the cause of the Tibeta issue. On behalf of the Tibetan people, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to ICT and its members and all people of goodwill who have helped out cause.
It is always a great pleasure for me to come to the united states. This country represents the universal concepts of liberty and justice for so many people around the world. It is here that we have found genuine support through the American people.
I have always tried to find a solution through direct and honest discussions with the Chinese. It is my sincere belief that if the concerned parties were to meet and discuss their future with an open mind and a sincere desire to find a satisfactory and just solution, a breakthrough could be achieved. We must all exert ourselves to be reasonable and wise, and to meet in a spirit of frankness and understanding.
With my prayers and wishes
(I can't read the signature, as it is not written in a language I recognize)
Dear Friend of Freedom:
I realize that you do not live in Chinese-occupied Tibet.
And that's exactly why I'm writing you.
I hope you will use your American constituional rights to help stand up for the people of Tibet who can no longer speak out for themselves without risking imprisonment, torture, and possible death.
You see, the decal I've enclosed for you is a reproduction of the flag of the Tibetan nation.
This symbol has been outlawed by the Chinese government whose troops have occupied Tibet for over 50 years. Any Tibetan caught displaying, or even possessing, this symbol faces brutal treatment at the hands of the Chinese government.
Ang regrettably, the situation in Tibet is not improving.
That is why, as a Tibetan Buddhist and student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and as an activist on behalf of human rights, I want to inform you that the Chinese government has taken two outrrageous actions in arrogant disregard of the religous customs of Tibetan Buddhism and the Tibetan people:
1) First, defying the Dalia lama's recognition of the Panchen Lama, one of Tibet's most well known and most revered leaders, they picked their own Panchen Lama.
THEN... to add insult to injury...
2) The Chinese detained the 6 year-old boy recognized by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama. Born on April 25, 1989, he and his family have been in detention since May 17, 1995 at an unknown location. The boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, has now spent more than half his life in Chinese custody and remains that way today.
China's agenda is no secret: If they can choose the next Panchen Lama, they think they will be able to choose the next Dalai Lama.
AND... if they choose the next Dalai Lama, the culture, religion and heritage if the Tibetan people as we know it may come to an end.
To many, the issue of the Panchen Lama may seem esoteric in a world filled with so many problems.
But, the fact is that this controversy is a symbol of a campaign to persecute a people and destroy its culture.
Under China's occupation, all but 13 of the country's 6,254 monastaries were destroyed and tens of thousands of monks and nuns were killed or sent to internment camps.
They are still hitting the Tibetans where it hurts most - in the heart of their religous beliefs.
But the world is becoming alert to this religous persectuion. And, caring people like you are taking action.
Our intensified efforts to restore religous freedom in Tibet began at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. when the Dalai Lama and a group of relgious and moral leaders from all faiths rededicated themselves to securing for all the world's people the right to worship and the right to cultural survival.
Today we are engaged in a peaceful, prayerful and nationwide campaign designed to help win freedom for the people of Tibet.
There's no question in my mind that the tide can be turned in Tibet's favor.
But we need your help.
The International Campaign for the Tibet is launching a major effort to mobilize all Americans who believe in the right of a nation, that harbors one of the world's great ancient spiritual cultures, to survive.
Millions of Americans have fought hard to establish this land as one known for freedom and the tolerance and respect for support of human rights. It is on this tradition of vigorous action in support of human rights and religious freedom - by Americans of all faiths - that we are building a nationwide movement designed to help win freedom for the people of Tibet.
I ask you to take a few moments of meditation, prayer or simply silence for the people of Tibet and for people everywhere who yearn to worship as they please, yet are denied. Your voices and your support are being heard and felt by Tibetans everywhere including monks and nuns who have been imprisoned and totured for daring to raise their voices in support of freedom and the Dalai Lama.
Dear Friend,
I would like to commend the International Campaign for Tibet for the tremendous contribution it has made in gathering support for the cause of the Tibeta issue. On behalf of the Tibetan people, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to ICT and its members and all people of goodwill who have helped out cause.
It is always a great pleasure for me to come to the united states. This country represents the universal concepts of liberty and justice for so many people around the world. It is here that we have found genuine support through the American people.
I have always tried to find a solution through direct and honest discussions with the Chinese. It is my sincere belief that if the concerned parties were to meet and discuss their future with an open mind and a sincere desire to find a satisfactory and just solution, a breakthrough could be achieved. We must all exert ourselves to be reasonable and wise, and to meet in a spirit of frankness and understanding.
With my prayers and wishes
(I can't read the signature, as it is not written in a language I recognize)
Dear Friend of Freedom:
I realize that you do not live in Chinese-occupied Tibet.
And that's exactly why I'm writing you.
I hope you will use your American constituional rights to help stand up for the people of Tibet who can no longer speak out for themselves without risking imprisonment, torture, and possible death.
You see, the decal I've enclosed for you is a reproduction of the flag of the Tibetan nation.
This symbol has been outlawed by the Chinese government whose troops have occupied Tibet for over 50 years. Any Tibetan caught displaying, or even possessing, this symbol faces brutal treatment at the hands of the Chinese government.
Ang regrettably, the situation in Tibet is not improving.
That is why, as a Tibetan Buddhist and student of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and as an activist on behalf of human rights, I want to inform you that the Chinese government has taken two outrrageous actions in arrogant disregard of the religous customs of Tibetan Buddhism and the Tibetan people:
1) First, defying the Dalia lama's recognition of the Panchen Lama, one of Tibet's most well known and most revered leaders, they picked their own Panchen Lama.
THEN... to add insult to injury...
2) The Chinese detained the 6 year-old boy recognized by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama. Born on April 25, 1989, he and his family have been in detention since May 17, 1995 at an unknown location. The boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, has now spent more than half his life in Chinese custody and remains that way today.
China's agenda is no secret: If they can choose the next Panchen Lama, they think they will be able to choose the next Dalai Lama.
AND... if they choose the next Dalai Lama, the culture, religion and heritage if the Tibetan people as we know it may come to an end.
To many, the issue of the Panchen Lama may seem esoteric in a world filled with so many problems.
But, the fact is that this controversy is a symbol of a campaign to persecute a people and destroy its culture.
Under China's occupation, all but 13 of the country's 6,254 monastaries were destroyed and tens of thousands of monks and nuns were killed or sent to internment camps.
They are still hitting the Tibetans where it hurts most - in the heart of their religous beliefs.
But the world is becoming alert to this religous persectuion. And, caring people like you are taking action.
Our intensified efforts to restore religous freedom in Tibet began at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. when the Dalai Lama and a group of relgious and moral leaders from all faiths rededicated themselves to securing for all the world's people the right to worship and the right to cultural survival.
Today we are engaged in a peaceful, prayerful and nationwide campaign designed to help win freedom for the people of Tibet.
There's no question in my mind that the tide can be turned in Tibet's favor.
But we need your help.
The International Campaign for the Tibet is launching a major effort to mobilize all Americans who believe in the right of a nation, that harbors one of the world's great ancient spiritual cultures, to survive.
Millions of Americans have fought hard to establish this land as one known for freedom and the tolerance and respect for support of human rights. It is on this tradition of vigorous action in support of human rights and religious freedom - by Americans of all faiths - that we are building a nationwide movement designed to help win freedom for the people of Tibet.
I ask you to take a few moments of meditation, prayer or simply silence for the people of Tibet and for people everywhere who yearn to worship as they please, yet are denied. Your voices and your support are being heard and felt by Tibetans everywhere including monks and nuns who have been imprisoned and totured for daring to raise their voices in support of freedom and the Dalai Lama.