Help the Burmese Monks Help Burma

Burma Cyclone--Stand with the People

The cyclone that ripped through Burma left tens of thousands dead and a million homeless--a natural disaster made much worse by the failure of the military junta to warn or evacuate its people.
Now, the government has slowed the urgent process of providing humanitarian relief--so Avaaz is raising funds for the International Burmese Monks Organization and related groups, which will transmit funds directly to monasteries in affected areas.
In many of the worst-hit areas, the monasteries are the only source of shelter and food for Burma's poorest people. They have been on the front lines of the aid effort since the storm struck. Other forms of aid could be delayed, diverted or manipulated by the Burmese government--but the monks are the most trusted and reliable institution in the country.
We cannot accept cheques--for donation by Switch, Maestro or other questions click here for donation FAQ

Lhasa Is Ablaze

Shops on fire amid Tibet protests
Fires have broken out in the Tibetan city of Lhasa amid reports of rioting, as rare street protests led by Buddhist monks appeared to gather pace.
One eyewitness told the BBC how large groups of people were setting fire to cars and shops and destroying anything of Chinese influence.
The US embassy in Beijing said US citizens had reported hearing gunfire.
Rallies have continued all week in what are thought to be the largest protests against Beijing's rule in 20 years.
Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, released a statement expressing deep concern, saying the protests were a "manifestation of the deep-rooted resentment of the Tibetan people".
[...] The US-based International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) said at least one police car had been set on fire on Friday.
ICT spokeswoman Kate Saunders said her group had received reports that the Tromsikhang market in Barkhor Street - a busy commercial neighbourhood - was either on fire or had burnt down.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7296041.stm

Presidential Candidates and Tibet

Sovereignty for Tibet was “taken off the table” by His Holiness the Dahlia Lama, to reassure the Chinese government that he is no threat to Chinese sovereignty. While this may seem absurd, given the power of China compared to the exiled Tibetan government, the “middle path” of compromise and reconciliation seemed the only way to protect the Tibetan people, and provide an opportunity to maintain their culture, in any form possible.
As “free” Americans, we have an opportunity to use our liberty, (what’s left of it) to help those who cannot help themselves, as so poignantly stated by 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma (Myanmar). Please use the link below to review what some of the candidates have to say about the Dalai Lama and the future of Tibet.
The 2008 Presidential Campaign season is heating up as we head into six major primaries in January alone. And, Presidential campaigns are aggressively working to connect with voters. These days, every vote counts.
After 20 years of advocacy work in Washington, the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) knows that the administration must be responsive on the issue of Tibet. Who we elect as the next President of the United States matters greatly for the future of Tibetans. Many of you helped ICT secure the Congressional Gold Medal for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In short, your vote in this election is extremely important to Tibetans.
Now, please take a few minutes and read the responses to our questionnaire from US Presidential Candidates.
http://www.savetibet.org/campaign2008

Burmese Army Major Deserts

Monks flee crackdown as reports of brutality emerge
Ian MacKinnon, South-east Asia correspondent, Thursday October 4, 2007, The Guardian

There is also widespread belief among diplomats that the death toll could be much higher than the 13 acknowledged. From lists of cross-checked names, the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), an exiles' media group based in Oslo, believes the number of dead in the violent street clashes stands at 138.

Fearing the violence that was to come, a Burmese army major, Htay Win, deserted from his unit in Rangoon before the killings began. He fled to Thailand in search of asylum, and yesterday explained why.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/burma/story/0,,2182966,00.html

HH Dalai Lama Will Be Here Soon!

Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey

A Night of Celebration
Saturday, October 6th, 2007
7:00 P.M. (Concert will begin at 7:30)
Archdiocese of the Armenian Cathedral (a.k.a. Armenian Church)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY
Admission $25.00

To celebrate the good fortune of being able to see and hear from His Holiness this fall and to celebrate the United States Congress' awarding its highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, to His Holiness, the Tibetan Community of New York & New Jersey will host a Night Of Celebration with a concert and dance party.
For more information and updates, please check the following pages (web sites)
Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey
http://www.tibetancommunity.org/
And some dedicated web pages
A Night of Celebration, October 6th Concert and Party http://ssherpa.googlepages.com/tcofnynjconcert
An Audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Javits Center, October 11, 2007 - http://ssherpa.googlepages.com/audiencewithhisholinessthedalailama
His Holiness Accepts Congressional Gold Medal in Washington, D.C., October 17, 2007. Buses to Washington chartered by Tibetan Community of NY&NJ http://ssherpa.googlepages.com/hilholinessacceptscongressionalgoldmedal
Screening of Richard Gere is My Hero – October 21, 2007. - http://ssherpa.googlepages.com/richardgereismyhero

Stallone Witnesses Burma Slaughter

from the Daily Mail:
Stallone speaks out after Rambo crew witness 'hell beyond your wildest dreams'
Last updated at 13:21pm on 2nd October 2007

"We saw many elephants with blown off legs. We hear about Vietnam and Cambodia and this was more horrific," he said.

"This is a hellhole beyond your wildest dreams," Stallone said. "All the trails are mined. The only way into Burma is up the river."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=485063&in_page_id=1811

Burma's Other Problem

International narcotics agenda behind Myanmar instability
by Larry Chin, Global Research, September 28, 2007

The demise of the Golden Triangle: bad for business

Not surprisingly, the Golden Crescent and Afghanistan now under control of the US and its drug-intelligence proxies, is by far and away the world’s number one opium supplier, as well as the top overall drug producing region, dwarfing Colombia and the Golden Triangle.
(See http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6178 )

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=6919

I Can't Reincarnate Without Permission!

China has banned Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without government permission !

By Matthew Philips, Newsweek

Aug. 20-27, 2007 issue - In one of history's more absurd acts of totalitarianism, China has banned Buddhist monks in Tibet from reincarnating without government permission.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20227400/site/newsweek/