My Home in the Himalayas:
A Letter From A Tibetan Monk

By Yeshe Nyima

A major center for Tibetans living in exile is McLeod Ganj, a small village of around 10,000 people of both Indian and Tibetan descent. It is located just north of Dharamsala in the Northern Indian province of Himachal Pradesh, not far from the Himalaya ranges. Most importantly, it is the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-exile and the current residence of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

McLeod Ganj is also the arrival point in India for Tibetans who have fled their homeland after having survived the treacherous trek across the Himalaya and into Nepal.

I arrived in McLeod Ganj with my Uncle in 1987. I was 13 years old and had been a monk since the age of 9. My family decided that I should leave Tibet in order to pursue my religious education. I was not in McLeod for long. From the refugee center, my Uncle and I went south to the Tibetan monastery of Drepung--the largest monastery in exile-- where I stayed for 13 years before returning to McLeod to continue my advanced studies.

At Drepung, I was able to pursue my religious studies and maintain my vows as a monk. I was free from the persecution and ridicule of the Chinese Government who consider religion as "poisoning the mind."

In 1999, 2474 Tibetans fled Tibet, 1,115 of which were children under the age of 18. Most of them come to India to maintain their cultural rights and to be educated in Tibetan schools. (Annual Report 1999, Human Rights Violation in Tibet) In India today, there are approximately 120,000 Tibetans. Over 20,000 are monks and 3000 are nuns.

In the monasteries and nunneries of India, the foundation of the Buddhist religion--the "three jewels"--is maintained. The first of these jewels is Buddha--one who has completely purified himself of all faults and delusions and perfected all knowledge and wisdom. The second is Dharma--Buddha's teachings that allow one to be released from life's suffering--and the third is Sangha, the monastic spiritual community that works for and provides guidance to all sentient beings. In India, the principles of Buddhism are openly practiced, unlike the current situation in Tibet.

The spiritual leader of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso works tirelessly, in a peaceful and compassionate manner, to educate the world community on the sad plight of the Tibetans under Chinese occupation.  At the same time, he is available to his community to greet all new refugees and give Buddhist teachings to his people and world visitors.

He has also been recently joined by His Holiness The Karmapa, whose presence in India has strengthened the Tibetan people's hope for a free Tibet. This is especially important to Tibetan people because he leads the Karma Kagyu sect.

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