March 10: Tibetan National Uprising Day

March 10 is Tibetan National Uprising day, in which thousands of Tibetans and Tibet supporters will take to the streets to show their support for the cause of freeing Tibet from Chinese oppression. Other ways to get involved and show your support on this day or any other can be found Students for a Free Tibet International.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army took over Tibet by force in 1949, under the rule of Chairman Mao. In 1951, an "agreement" was passed, stating China's sovereignty over Tibet but allowing the Tibetan government's autonomy when it came to internal affairs. As time went on and China repeatedly violated this treaty, resistance to their rule grew.

In 1959, thousands of Tibetans came to Lhasa (the Capitol city) seeking refuge from the Chinese repression in their towns and villages. Despite government officials' orders to disperse, the people refused to leave and the crowd grew larger and larger. On March 10, 1959, these Tibetans surrounded the Dalai Lama's summer residence to protect their leader and demand the Chinese leave Tibet. As the protests intensified, Chinese troops responded with violence, and a full-on uprising ensued in the streets, with the mostly unarmed Tibetans fighting for their freedom against a finely tuned and well-armed army. The Dalai Lama fled to India, with the help of many Tibetan resistance fighters. Tens of thousands of Tibetans were killed and taken prisoner, while thousands more fled persecution by making the hazardous journey into exile in India.

"For the past 50 years, the Chinese government has done everything in its power to divide Tibetans and confuse the world about the issue. Tibet’s historical provinces of U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo have been cut up into the Tibetan Autonomous Region and the four Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu & Yunnan. At the same time, the Chinese authorities have tried to convince the international community that the majority of Tibetans are happy under Chinese rule and that it is only a privileged minority who agitate for independence.

But even a quick look at the history of the Tibetan people under Chinese occupation exposes the absurdity of this claim. In the 60 years since China invaded Tibet, Tibetans from all walks of life have sacrificed their lives to resist the occupation and restore Tibet’s freedom." (Students for a Free Tibet)

Today, Tibet remains an occupied country with no freedom of speech, assembly, press, or religion. The Chinese government is determined to stifle any form of dissent by wiping out all traces of Tibetan national identity, including their language, social structure, monastic life, and Buddhism. Those who rebel are persecuted, sometimes fatally. Despite the inevitable backlash, many Tibetans are still protesting and fighting for their freedom. Over the past couple of years, Tibetan monks have been protesting by setting themselves on fire, spurring a violent crack down on Tibetan protesters by the Chinese government. You can see a BBC News report on this here.

If you think that this oppression needs to end, that the Tibetan people deserve freedom and independence, consider taking non-violent direct action or educating others on the Tibetan plight. Tibetan National Uprising Day on May 10th is great day to start!

Mahakala: Tibetan "Lord of the Tent"

Mahakala may look frightening, but his rabid glare is not directed at you! Like a gargoyle, the mask of Mahakala is meant to scare bad spirits and energy away from the place it protects. He is revered as a compassionate protector, with all his aggression directed at those who would do harm. His anger is necessary because it gives him the fearsome power to demolish any enemies or obstacles on the way to enlightenment.

Originally when the Tibetans began using the face of Mahakala for protection, they were a nomadic people, living in tents and moving from here to there all the time. He is still often referred to as "Lord of the Tent", as roughly 40% of the Tibetan population is still nomadic or semi-nomadic, though now the mask of his face frequently hangs on more permanent walls as well. Because he is considered a protector of religious law in particular, Mahakala masks are frequently found in temples and monestaries in Tibet, as well as in private homes.

The blaze of fire above Mahakala's eyes and coming from his mouth represents his powerful energy for consuming neurotic states of mind. His third eye denotes him as a protector; three orbs of vision express his ability to see the past, present and future. Staring at the world with widened eyes signifies that he is incensed at the current state of affairs, and none shall pass him without being affected.

Mahakala has a crown of five skulls, which represent the transmutation of five negative afflictions of human nature into virtues. As he confronts negative forces and crushes them with his anger, his crown of skulls neutralizes what remains and works to transform it into something positive. Thus ignorance becomes wisdom, pride is humbled, attachment becomes the wisdom of discernment, jealously shifts to feeling satisfied with one's own accomplishments, and anger is released and soothed.

Consider Mahakala your spiritual bodyguard. He appears to be tough and larger-than-life scary, but he is somebody you want to have on your side as you face the trials and stresses of life. That face is angry only in the service of a greater good: your happiness, wisdom, and karmic health!

Prayer Flags Explained!

When the tradition of hanging prayer flags began more than 2000 years ago, Tibet was ruled by warlords who carried their own flags into battle. The native people took this as their inspiration but spun the intent on its axis when they made their own flags to honor the nature gods of Bon, their shamanistic religion. They used five colors to represent the five elements: blue for sky or space, red for fire, green for water, and yellow for earth. They believed these flags would carry blessings on the wind to anyone nearby, so they took to hanging them over mountain passes and rivers to benefit all who passed underneath.

In the 7th century, Buddhism largely took the place of Bon, absorbing many of its characteristics including the flags, and bringing the new ideals of peace and compassion. The early prayer flags displayed both Buddhist prayers and pictures of the fierce Bon gods who they believed protected Buddha. Over the next 200 years, Buddhist monks began to print their own mantras and symbols on the flags as prayers for peace, prosperity, wisdom, and compassion to be sent out into the world with each breeze.

There are two types of prayer flags, those hung horizontally and those hung vertically, attached from a high place to the ground. Vertically hung prayer flags are known as Dar Cho, with "Dar" meaning to increase life, fortune, health, and wealth, and "Cho" representing all sentient beings.

The flags most commonly seen (as in the picture above) are typically hung horizontally, and are known as "Lung-ta" which translates into "Windhorse". The central image on each flag is often of a horse with three flaming jewels on its back, representing the Tibetan Buddhist trinity. This trinity consists of Buddha, the enlightened one; Dharma, the path of Buddhist teachings; and Sangha, the Buddhist monastic community. The Windhorse is meant to evoke power, subdue evil, and act as the vehicle of enlightenment.

There are several other creatures that are commonly seen on prayer flags.






There is the Senge, or snow lion, who symbolizes bravery.





Tag, the tiger, represents the strength one must possess to follow the Dharma and become enlightened.





Kyung is the destroyer of evil; he soars on a bed of clouds with flames emanating from his horns.





Finally, there is Druk the dragon, whose roar is said to cut through the fog of ignorance, which is the prime obstacle on the path to enlightenment.




The prayer flags may be hung indoors, but they are designed to be strung up outside where the wind will disperse their messages if you choose to do so. After some time the flags will fade and fray, symbolizing the natural passing of all things. It is believed that when prayer flags fade and blow away thread by thread, the prayers become a permanent part of the universe. Every time you look at prayer flags, let them remind you to continue to send out your own prayers for peace and kindness in the world. As you do so, you will benefit from their blessings as well.