HisHoliness is to visit Christchurch on 8th June to offer prayers and support for the people of Christchurch, particularly for those who died in the earthquake and their families, but also for the wider community.
There will be a free prayer service at the CBS Arena at 12:00 with the doors opening at 10:00am. No tickets
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Zhang Qingli, Party Secretary of Tibetan Autonamous Region of China visits NZ
Meeting with Foreign Affairs Dept
May 2011
Statement from Foreign Affairs office of Hon. Murray McCully:
"Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade met with Tibet Party Secretary Zhang Qingli during a stopoever visit to Aukland on Tueday May 17th. The meeting provided the opportunity for a discussion of China's policies in Tibet, and for New Zealand officials to enquire aboutr the situation at the Kirti Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Sichuan province."
Further enquiry from the Government department concerned illicited no further information on what transpired between NZ government officials and Mr Zhang. It was not reported in NZ papers but was mentioned in the China Daily Post.
Indian High Court ruling a watershed for Tibetans in exile
Tibetans born between 1950 and 1986 can now, in theory, become Indian citizens under the Citizen Amendment Act 1986. Namgyal Dolkar appraoched the High Court after failing to be heard. This means that many Tibetans will have a greater ability to travel abroad rather than using the United Nations Identity Certificate which causes many problems in its own right. Many holders having to get visas just for landing at transiting airports.
This will also create ongoing discussions around statelessness, refugee status in India and the right to return home to Tibet given a change (currently highly unlikely) in Chinese attitudes and belief systems to Tibetans and their 'splittist' spiritual leader, HH XIV Dalai Lama.
Canada is sponsoring 1000 Tibetan Immigrants from Arunachal Pradesh
Tibetans living in remote areas of Arunachal Pradesh bordering neighbouring China could soon fly their way into Canada. The Canadian Government has agreed to facilitate immigration of Tibetans living in Arunachal Pradesh. The Canadian Govt's initiative came following the request from Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama to settle Tibetans inhabiting remote areas, any of them inaccessible by roads. There are 39 settlements in India, three of them located in Arunachal Pradesh which includes Bomdila and Tezu Tenzigang. Foreigners are not allowed into this area except with permits due to its senstivity around Maoist extremists and border disputes with China.
It is such a shame that we have no interest from the New Zealand Government in helping Tibetans come to this country for a new start.
Retiring MPs at the 2011 NZ Elections
Many of you know that the
Green Party has been very supportive of the Tibet issue in many ways, especially demonstrating in front of visiting chinese officials to highlight the human rights issues in Tibet. We are sorry to learn that both
Sue Kedgley and
Keith Locke will be retiring at this year's General Election. The Friends of Tibet would like to thank them for constantly standing up for human rights.
Lending Library Now Open at Nelson Buddhist Centre
87 Nile St, Nelson
One of the benefits of being a member of the
Nelson Buddhist Centre is that you have access to our small but jewel-packed collection of books on the Dharma. So far it has only been accessible as a reference library. We are now open as a regular lending library so members will be able to take books, tapes, DVDs or VHS tapes home to study and enjoy.
NEW BOOK OUT NOW!A VISUAL JOURNAL
His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama in New Zealand December 2009
by Cally Stockdale
Each day's events captured over 84 pages of colour photos covering His Holiness' visit, complete with a gallery - were you there?Softback, $35 each plus handling, p&p. Order from this website - go to HH Dalai Lama Book page on this site for more information.
Shakyamuni Buddha Statue at Karma Choeling Monastery
Kaukapakapa, North of Auckland
Karma Choeling is currently working to raise funds and secure skilled hands to strip and
re-gild their 25ft high Shakyamuni Buddha statue this summer. This is the largest Buddha statue in the southern hemisphere, a treasure to be maintained and cherished as an embodiment of Buddha. Restoring it is a meritorious and noble work.
To support the Buddha Statue’s restoration donations are payable by:
1.) Cheque: to 'NZKKT'. Posted to 66 Bodhisattva Rd, RD1 Silverdale 0994
2.) Bank deposit: to account #:ASB 12-3209-0303-196-00 with ‘Buddha Statue+your name’ as reference.
All Donations are tax deductable. Tax receipts for any donations can be obtained from the monastery office.