Anniversary for a Matyr
At 6am on the 27th of April, 1998, 60 year old Tibetan Thupten Ngodup immoliated himself in protest against the lack of international action to help Tibet.
He did this 8 weeks into a "hunger strike til death" campaign organised in Delhi by the Tibetan Youth Congress. He was due to take part in the second stage of the hunger strike but instead decided to take more drastic action. He was filmed as he calmly held his hands in prayer and said "Bod Rangzen" ("Freedom for Tibet"), "Bod Gyal lo" ("victory to Tibet"), and "Long Live His Holiness the Dalai Lama".
2 days later, after having been visited by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in hospital, Thupten Ngodup died from his horrific wounds.
Last night monks and nuns of McLeod Ganj led a candle-lit, chanting crowd of locals and foreigners in three circumambulations of the temple in town followed by three circumambulations of the Dalai Lama's temple to commemorate the important date.
It's been an intense week for Tibetans. And for Australian tourists in McLeod Ganj.
1 comment:
certainly sounds like a very intense and sad week. Your note about the chanting for freedom for Tibet and for the Panchen Lama was very moving. You will definitely have to return
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