"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." -His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Some Startling Facts
1. The peaceful Buddhist country of Tibet was invaded by Communists China in 1949. Since that time, over 1.2 million Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 monasteries have been destroyed, and thousands of Tibetans have been imprisoned.
2. In Tibet today, there is no freedom of speech, religion, or press and arbitrary dissident continues.
3. The Dalai Lama, Tibet's political and spiritual leader, fled to India in 1959. He now lives among over 100,000 other Tibetan refugees and their government in exile.
4. Forced abortion, sterilization of Tibetan women and the transfer of low income Chinese citizens threaten the survival of Tibet's unique culture. In some Tibetan provinces, Chinese settlers outnumber Tibetans 7 to 1.
5. Within China itself, massive human rights abuses continue. It is estimated that there up to twenty million Chinese citizens working in prison camps.
6. Most of the Tibetan plateau lies above 14,000 feet. Tibet is the source of five of Asia's greatest rivers, which over 2 billion people depend upon. Since 1959, the Chinese government estimates that they have removed over $54 billion worth of timber. Over 80% of their forests have been destroyed, and large amounts of nuclear and toxic waste have been disposed of in Tibet.
7. Despite these facts and figures, the US government and US corporations continue to support China economically. This shows their blatant lack of respect for these critical issues of political and religious freedom and human rights.
Yes, things are bad, but you may still ask, why Tibet? There are hundreds of other countries in which equal or worse environmental and human rights devastation has occurred. Why Tibet? Tibet can be used as the catalyst for change in human rights, woman's rights, political, religious and cultural freedom across the globe. Through a concerted effort, the citizens of Earth can stand up and say "NO!" to the corporations and governments that continue to abuse it's people and misuse it's resources. The struggles in Tibet are symbolic for every human rights struggle. Please, get involved. There is only a limited time left until there will longer be a Tibet to save.
Tibet is a very culturally rich country that has a very deep history. If the Chinese Government stays in Tibet, they could loose all of the history they had. Please help educate others on this growing issue in Asia. Please feel free to visit the following informative sites:
http://www.studentsforafreetibet.org/
http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php
http://www.freetibet.org/
"If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them." -His Holiness the Dalai Lama
