A Peaceful and Happy New Year!

I woke to the news today that Tibetan exiles in India have avoided New Years Celebrations in favour of praying for their brothers and sisters who continue to suffer inside Tibet.
While I look forward to the privilege of another year free to write and think and enjoy my life in Australia, people such as the Tibetans continue to suffer in exile or under the occupation of the Chinese Government with a lack of basic human rights and with the ongoing destruction of their cultural heritage and natural environment. It is obvious that China's intent was always to get hold of Tibet's vast natural resources and the ongoing tragedy is that this comes at the cost of religious and social freedoms of its people.

As one blogger inside Tibet wrote, in relation to continued suffering of Tibetan and Chinese people at the hands of the government regime, "To respect life is to respect oneself, and to cherish the memory of the deceased is to rescue and redeem oneself ... 2009 is the year for us to cherish the memory of the deceased. And we have our own way to do so: make lamp offerings and light candles to commemorate the souls of the deceased, and recite the mantra of Avalokiteshvara: Om mani padme hum!"

May this year continue to highlight the need for the Chinese government and other oppressive regimes around the world to be held accountable for their "human rights" abuses and may leaders such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama continue to struggle for humanity and may they live long. Tibetan people recently voted unanimously to continue to support the "Middle Way" approach to seeking genuine autonomy for Tibet.

This year 2009 marks a number of anniversaries including 50 years of exile for His Holiness, 30 years since his first teachings in the West, 20 years since his Noble Peace Prize and 20 years since the infamous Newcastle earthquake.

I look forward to a productive and joyful year and more regular postings to this blog.

Dharamsala, Jan 1 (ANI): Exiled Tibetans avoided New Year celebrations in protest against China’’s occupation of their homeland. Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Samdong Ripoche said, “We are doing only religious ceremonies. We are not doing much pomp to mark our solidarity with the people suffering inside Tibet.” The Tibetans claim that the “Chinese atrocities” have increased since the March 14, 2008 Tibetan uprising in Lhasa, which China blamed on the Dalai Lama and his “clique.”
The riots later spilled over to the rest of Tibet and neighboring Chinese provinces with Tibetan populations, drawing global attention.
Rights groups say hundreds remain in jail following the protests where they are subjected to harsh treatment and even torture.
India is home to about 150,000 Tibetan exiles, most of whom arrived after escaping from Chinese in Tibet, over the past few decades.
Chinese troops marched into Tibet in 1950 and the Dalai Lama, fled into exile in 1959 after a failed uprising against Beijing’’s rule.
Tibet was rocked by anti-Chinese protests earlier in 2008, which China blamed on the Dalai Lama, whom it brands a separatist. He has repeatedly denied the claims.