The Solidarity actions around the world in the support of present crisis in Tibet.

April 26, 2008 report

April 26, 2008:

Nepal –

Shabrim recital from April 24, 2008
No. of participants = 500
 
Dolma Gyepa      43,610
Dolma Dhuepa   2,69,766
Dolma Zung       1,38,286
Mani                 19,03,678
Vajra Guru           8,75,101
Tamdin Zung       1,23,449
 
19th birthday of the Panchen Lama – Gedun Choekyi Nyima: 

Despite the short notice, a large number of Tibetans, students, local Tibetan and Western media had gathered at Samtenling Gonpa, Baudha to commemorate the 19th birthday of the Panchen Lama. NTSF had prepared placards, banners and flyers. An official ceremony was carried out from 9:00 AM, with a procession carrying picture of the Panchen Lama along with various placards demanding release of all Tibetan political prisoners. NTSF urgent appeal campaign flyers and flyers made specifically on the occasion were distributed widely. A 2-minute silence was observed followed by singing of the Tibetan National Athem. Chithue Yungdrung Gyaltsen la addressed the crowd speaking about the occasion and the reasons for gathering today while Nepal’s Coordinator for Tibetans, Kungo Trinley Gyatso elaborated on the occasion as well as mentioned the importance of working together under the guideline of TSC. To reiterate this, he read out Kashag’s public statement. The ceremony ended with a sangsol offering. Thereafter, Tibetans walked to the Baudha Welfare office – site of daily shabrim recitals. No untoward incident took place.
 
24 hour Relay Fasting in Solidarity: 
The highlight of today’s new group was all the participants constituted of female students and teachers of Namgyal Higher Secondary School. All 61 students were 16 years or above. 5 female staff members accompanied the students.  A group of senior boys from Namgyal Higher Secondary School attended Panchen Lama’s birthday celebration at Baudha.

Mundgod -

1. 17th April 2008: Around 100 monks including 50 from Gaden monastery and 50 from Drepung monastery participated in protest march in the city of Pune. 

2. 18th April 2008: In addition to around hundred monks from Mundgod monasteries, a large number of local Indian, Indian Buddhists community in Pune, Tibetan college students in Pune, local Indian leaders and the Tibetan business community in Pune also participated in the protest march. They also organized hunger strike and conducted a candle light procession in the evening. Large numbers of fliers were also distributed.

3. 19th April 2008: They held a March protest, followed with hunger strike. 

Dharamsala -

1. April 25, 2008: Special prayer was organized for one of the most revered lama, the Panchen Rinpoche at the Namgyal monastery. 

2. Around a thousand people gathered at Lhabsoeri for sangsol. 

3. Tibetan Women's Association organized signature campaign for the immediate release of the Panchen Rinpoche. Around 2000 people signed to express their support for this campaign. 

4. Relay hunger strike continued. 50 nuns from Telopur nunnery participated in the hunger strike. 

5. In the evening around 5000 people participated in the candle light peace procession. People were exhibiting pictures of Panchen Rinpoche and they were also carrying banners wearing various messages for the immediate release of the young Panchen Rinpoche. Both, the speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile and the prime minister of the exile government addressed the public.  

6. Tibetan Women's Association and the Tashi Lhunpo Central Association for the Panchen Lama also convened press conference on Panchen Rinpoche.