Articles

The indigenous communities of the Himalayan region have distinguished themselves for their unique cultures and distinct identities, but nowadays the strong influence of western and urban culture is destroy them. This is why Pragya - a non-profit development organization with activities in India, Nepal and United Kingdom – is working to stimulate the right development of these vulnerable communities.

On October 23, 2008, Alan Greenspan, former chairman of the United Stated Federal Reserve, was hauled before Congress to testify on causes underlying the largest financial crisis since the 1930s Great Depression. “I made the mistake in presuming that the self interest of organizations, specifically banks and others, was such that they were best capable of protecting their own shareholders,” explained the ex-central banker adding he had “found a flaw” in his underlying economic assumptions. “The whole intellectual edifice,” he admitted, “collapsed in the summer of last year."

Jokhang Monastery, Tibet’s most sacred pilgrimage site is to Buddhists what Mecca is to Muslims. Inside, yak butter candles burn dim, sending a natural radiant glow that illuminates the Jowa image of Sakyamuni, the first Buddha. Hundreds of Tibetans prostrate at the door outside.

I first met Professor Muhammad Yunus known to the world as “banker to the poor”, after it was announced that he would receive the Nobel Peace in autumn 2006. He had arrived in Beijing to speak in Bangladesh which pioneered grass roots credit model based on human trust and not physical collateral, Yunus put a new spin on humanism declaring, “Credit is a human right.” That autumn, his words rang in ears of his Chinese hosts.

“Come visit my shop,” calls out Yu Drun to foreign visitors passing by in the alley outside. “I can make you a cafe latte while you brose at my jewellery. Remember, my jewellery is designed and made by me, and I am Tibetan. So when visiting Tibet,” she pleads with a laugh, “please do not buy Tibetan jewellery made by other peoples!”

Mala prayer beads are used in Tibet by monks and ordinary people as well for reciting mantra with deepest intention and resolve. When not used for concentrated and calming recitation, they may be worn wrapped around one's wrist or as a necklace for convenience or even fashion. Both men and women can wear mala beads either way.

In the darkness of an ancient Tibetan Buddhist monastery dimly lit by the sporadic flicker of yak butter lamps, often one can still find on occasion a Tiger skin crouching in an unlit corner. These have often been preserved for generations. Possessing the tiger’s spirit, the skin serves as a Symbol of protection against the dangers of ignorance, frustration and greed; the “three poisons” of Buddhism which should be crushed by “correct thought, words, and action” The tiger spirit is there to keep it all correct and the demons in time.

Anu is an elderly Tibetan lady. She lives alone on the upper floor of a traditional Tibetan style courtyard home in the Barkor area of old Lhasa. Life is hard. She was crippled at age four when a tractor ran over her leg, severing it. She grew up disadvantaged, never married and has no children. Her apartment is simple and bare, except for her sewing machine and a Buddhist shrine. To receive water and yak butter, essential for living on the Tibetan plateau, caring friends are required to bring these to Anu each day.

Tashigang Monastery lies along a quiet bend of the Lhasa River. Here the current is fast as icy water passes rapidly from melting glaciers on the long winding path to India. At the gate of Tashigang Monastery a dirt road marks the famous Tea Caravan Trail which one served as the main link between China and India. Tea Traversed by pony from rich Yunnan Province across Tibet to India. Buddhist sutras returned with the caravans. Historically, Tashigang Monastery was the first overnight stop of the Dalai Lamas whenever they made sojourns from Lhasa.

Menzikhang Hospital, Lhasa's only traditional Tibetan hospital, is just steps away from Tibet's most sacred pilgrimage site at Jokhang Monastery, where hundreds of Buddhist pilgrims prostrate themselves every morning and afternoon. At the Menzikhang Hospital entrance I am met by Seva Tibet Sight Program's Associate Manager, Dolma Chugi. She guides me through the patient recovery room and the theatre of cataract operations. I was stunned to see, that in one morning, twenty patients were operated on for cataracts. They entered the operating theatre blind and ten minutes later came out seeing.