Walking close to Tibet

As I walked closer to Tibet, my homeland, after all the years of my escape into exile,

I can see the snowy mountains bowing down to receive me in their cold, yet warm arms.
I can hear the winter wind singing welcoming songs through the willow trees.

I can see the rivers and rivulets running up to receive me down through the valleys.

I can sense heavenly smells running deep down through my nostrils and nerves.

I can see the Yaks and Sheep lined in thousands greeting me with a standing ovation.

I can see the Rhodiola and rhododendron standing at unusual heights as I walked.

I can see the juniper and willow trees dancing on the hills as they saw me return.

I can sense the sunflowers and the red roses receiving me in their best colors and scents.

I can see the crow and cranes flapping feathers together as they receive me.

I can smell the smoke coming from our chimney with the aromas of different dishes.

I can see the siblings stretching their arms in their wildest smiles to reach and receive me.

I can also see the border and boundaries marked with patrolling police.

I can also understand that there is no way I can cross the border and enjoy their welcome.

At Bumla, Indo-Tibet border and Nathang region of Sikkim

Why are you so Silent?

Why are you so silent?

When your countrymen continue to scream in great pain, Behind the bars with broken bones.

Why are you so silent?

When the monasteries and nunneries are destroyed and demolished down to ashes.

Why are you so silent?

When the forests are fired and trees cut down to Timbers in great number.

Why are you so silent?

When the monks and nuns in great numbers are forcibly evicted from their institutions.

Why are you so silent?

When the singers and writers are imprisoned for speaking out the injustice imposed upon them.

Why are you so silent?

When they mined minerals out of the mountains and made a whole lot of holes in the Himalayas.

Why are you so silent?

When they installed eyes on every street pole and watched you pee and peep in deep silence.

Why are you so silent?

When the rivers and rivulet are controlled by building dams after dams.

Why are you so silent?

When you are not dumb and numb enough to ignore the injustice.

By Sonsnow

We must all cooperate

“Humanity’s thirst for natural resources can only be sustained if we adapt our patterns of consumption. Competition for necessities like water, food and land will inevitably intensify. To meet the challenge of climate change and environmental depletion we must all cooperate.”

His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama

Calm Mind

“There are always problems to face, but it makes a difference if our minds are calm. On the surface we may get upset, but it makes a difference if we are able to stay calm in the depths of our minds.”

His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama

Non-violent actions

“There is a link between our physical and verbal actions and emotions. If, instead of anger, hatred and suspicion, we are moved by loving-kindness, we will naturally have greater respect for others and our actions will be non-violent.”

His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama

Emotional Hygiene

“Scientists warn that constant fear and anger are bad for our health, while being compassionate and warm-hearted contributes to our physical and mental well-being. Therefore, just as we observe physical hygiene to stay well, we need to cultivate a kind of emotional hygiene too.”

His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama

Hope

“I often ask myself what is the purpose of our lives and I conclude that life’s purpose is to be happy. We have no guarantee what will happen in the future, but we live in hope. That’s what keeps us going.”

His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama

Inner Peace

“We are, you might say, “brainwashed” into thinking that money is the source of happiness while what we really need to know is that inner peace is something that comes from within.”

His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama

Compassion

“Compassion is of little value if it just remains an idea. It must motivate how we respond to others and be reflected in all our thoughts and actions.”

His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama

Sense of brotherhood and sisterhood!

“People inflict pain on others in their selfish pursuit of happiness and satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. We need to cultivate a sense of universal responsibility for one another and the planet we share.”

His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama

We are the same as other people!

“I’m Tibetan, I’m Buddhist and I’m the Dalai Lama, but if I emphasize these differences it sets me apart and raises barriers with other people. What we need to do is to pay more attention to the ways in which we are the same as other people.”

His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama

Inner Peace

“Everyone wants to lead a peaceful, happy life, but happiness and success aren’t measured by how much money you have, but by whether you have inner peace in your heart.”

His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama