From the Udumbara - Dear Chinese Givernments

Dear Chinese Government,


I think I mentioned before, I have been to China on different occasions. I worked in your beautiful country. I lived among your kind people. Their humility and kindness is what struck me the most. Although I saw some things I might not agree with or like, I respect that China has always been a world of its own. I mean that in a respectful way - a way that can only admire how your people have managed to remain (almost) untouched by some of the less admirable qualities of the Western world. Your cultural traditions and spiritual, wisdom filled, values are what the West has always admired.

Forgive me if I say so but when I was in Tibet, I noticed that you dress up Chinese girls, in Tibetan clothes, and then parade them at strategic shops to sell replicated Tibetan products. Why would you need to do so?

It seems, to me, that if you joined forces with the Tibetan people and allowed them all the rights of Chinese citizens, you would find they would sell their goods faster than you might ever expect.

I do recall from my days in China that one of your previous governments decided to introduce capitalism into your communist regime. You discovered there was more profit in semi privatising (or incentivising) your previously government held businesses. I do believe that since that genius policy, your gross home production percentages sky rocketted; allowing you to become of the strongest economic countries in the world.

You could have that with the Tibetan people. Think about it. You allow them to produce and sell their products for a percentage plus, of course, the normal business taxes you apply to your people. Of course, there is a law in Italy that excludes artesans from paying taxes because they don’t have factories nor mass produce. Maybe in the future, you might consider opening a factory for them.

Have you ever watched the way Tibetan people sell. Well, in fact, they almost don’t need to even try to sell you anything. Their energy, theirs smiles and their inner beauty shines so bright, one can’t help but buy. They could be very beneficial to you as allies.

Remember, energy (or our spirit) is the one thing that cannot be purchased.

While we’re on the subject of Tibetan citizens in Tibet, which is now considered your territory, I have the perfect solution for you to hand back the Autonomous Region of Tibet to His Holiness the Dalai Lama before he passes away. So that he may, at least, be buried on his home soil.

Just imagine, for a moment, that that is his secret wish. Can you imagine international press? You’d become heroes over night. You’d be in every magazine and paper, on every news channel and every radio channel. I’m sure people around the world would love you and buy more of your products.

I can just see the Headlines now: “China gives back Tibet to the Dalai Lama” - subtitle: “It’s history in the making.” - and, you, the current leaders of the Chinese Government would go down in history as the new Global superheroes.

Personally, I think it would be a fare payback for the money you have cashed in with tourism to Tibet. His Holiness has been your major advertiser and hasn’t charged a penny for it. He brought and continues to bring tourism but just think how much more tourism you would generate if genuine Tibetans lived in Lhasa!

It’s not a crime to cash in such vast amounts of money on spirituality markets but for people, in your country, I know that being the bigger person of the two is very important.

However, it is a crime to let any Dalai Lama, and please remember that he is a reincarnation of all the previous Dalai Lamas, do such work in order for people, like myself, to be deceived by the inauthenticity, of the country, through the lack of genuine Tibetan food, people and warmth. Most of all, I missed seeing monks walking around in their robes. It also broke my heart to witness a very elderly gentleman be persecuted and intimidated by a policeman on a motorcycle.

I shan’t mention the military convoys running through the centre of Lhasa. I am hoping it was just a test mission for something. I think I still have the video of it somewhere. I’ve never made it public on the Internet because I believed you would change and become the heroes in this tragic “modern day” Illiad. Call me a romantic but I still believe that heroes always win.

I forgive the fact that my room was tapped and my movements were monitored. In fact, I am grateful for it because you taught me energetic frequencies used by spy devises and/or when someone is surveilling us. Yes, I can read energy. It is my nature. I still plan to come to China to study Qigong with one of your Great Masters. I owe everything to them. Even those I have never met have been my teachers. I bow in reverence to them.

Dear Politicians in China, there is no need for any more fighting or bickering. The War is over. My appearance on this Earth signifies the New Buddha is coming. It’s only a matter of time before it shall be known. Not even you can prevent this prophecy.

So why not stop now. Someone has to stop. I choose to stop here and tell you, I shall never post the video footage I took in Lhasa because my faith in you continues.

I love China because it is authentic away from the facades of Western influence. I would have re-visited Tibet if I’d had a real taste of it and its people, and if I’d be allowed, one day, to access the Sichuan province and drive up by car.

As the Udumbara, it is my secret wish to see all people living in harmony. When we live in harmony, there is no taking sides. Enemies become friends and everyone benefits from the wealth of knowledge and resources shared.

It’s time to lay down the sword and become the wise China you have always been known for through your ancient texts, maritime abilities, your architecture and much much more.

You are more than capable of striking a deal with His Holiness the Dalai Lama but should you need any help, I would be happy to be the mediator of your new “Autonomous Region of Tibet Agreement!” - The press might call it the “China has a Heart Agreement!”

Dear Mr Trump and Dear Chinese Government from the Udumbara

 Four years ago, I received a random email from the flowering Udumbara ... Today, I received another one.



Dear Mr Trump,

I read, with interest, an article talking about you bringing in a new bill to restrict access of Chinese Tour operators; promoting Tibet, into the US, if the Chinese continue to deny access to foreign journalists into Tibet.

I find this a very contradictory move since it only serves the purpose of denying tourists access to Tibet. If people don’t visit Tibet, how will they ever see what conditions are there? How will they ever know Tibetan people? How will they ever sympathise with Tibet?

Perhaps, Mr Trump, a better route might have been to deny access to Chinese tourists into the USA but that might be very damaging for he US economy and not a very good route either. Why did you not deny access to Chinese officials instead of tour operators? I have to question whether you wish to damage Tibet’s economy but then, I get confused because I thought you were trying to help Tibet and Tibetans.

I read that your “Experts on China” deemed this a “Tit for Tat”. Far be it from me to tell you how to run your cabinet, but I really think you should reassign whoever said this. If they knew anything about Chinese People and Chinese culture, they would know that this is considered a confrontation.I was only in China 6 months and even I know it.

Has history taught us nothing? Chinese Culture doesn’t like confrontation. They are not bad people. They only show force and power because, even though they are an ancient, and wise, culture, they are still learning - like all of us. Only, they don't like to expose their shortcomings in public. It makes them feel like they fall short in some way, when in fact, all they are doing is learning.

So, please don’t make me think that this bill is all about creating a standoff with China. What will be next - sanctions? - The breaking of Trade agreements? What will you do, put them in a corner to damage their economy just so you can bring manufacturing back to the US as you promised during your election campaign?



I would never want to think that a man of your calibre would use Tibet as a pawn in order to “Make America Great Again?” (I do recall that sentence, which again was frequently used in your election campaign)

If this were the case, though, I might end up thanking you because you could very well end the hostility between China and Tibet and let me tell you, it will not be because of your bill.

You see ... old enemies can become friends in their moment of need.



Dear Chinese Government,


I wrote to you 4 years ago ... and today, I am back, louder and stronger. Please don’t enter into this game of chess that is being presented by the US government. It will be damaging to your economy in the long run. 

I have been to Lhasa. I apologise for taking photographs but I did. I apologise for taking videos but I did and I am a nobody in this world ... So, I am sure that any journalists who wanted to enter Tibet - already have. Otherwise how would we know about the brave Tibetan nuns and monks who set themselves alight? How would we know about temples that have been invaded? How would we even know about all the Tibetan people you have arrested?

Dear Chinese government, this is your chance to see things as they are. This is your golden opportunity to make allies of old friends and move forward in the grace you once shared.

If you had genuine Tibetan people in your shops in Lhasa and at the airport, instead of Chinese girls dressed in Tibetan dresses, you would stand to make far more money. Just think about it. Tibetan people are kind, they are very loving, generous, patient and peaceful but they are, also, very clever business people. You only have to see what they have created everywhere around the world to see that.

Four years ago, I wrote that you would never be able to break their inner strength - so, why not learn from it? There is strength in union. There is power in union. There is growth in union. 

Four years ago, I couldn’t see clearly ... I was still growing ... but now I see it all clearly.

I understand His Holiness the Dalai Lama is about to visit your country, please take this Golden opportunity to let all wounds heal.



A faithful servant of Humanity,
The Udumbara flower

Religion

I don’t consider myself to be a religious person. I was brought up a Catholic and I was lead to believe that catholicism is the only right way in this world. Then, through family ties, I encountered Islam, that also claimed to be the only way of this world.

Years later, I was introduced to Jehovah’s witnesses, when they knocked at our family door once, and, unsurprisingly enough, they claimed their religion was the only way to go.

When I worked in China, I found that people still pray to an infinite number of Gods - just like our ancestors throughout history in ancient Greece and Latin Rome. Heck, my name even comes from a Greek and Roman Goddess. Read any kind of European mythology and you will find numerous Gods in every country.

Over the last few years, I have had the pleasure of conversing with great Rabbis from the United States and Israel and, low and behold, they believe their religion is the salvation of human beings.

I’ve read the Torah, the Vedic Scriptures from India, the Holy Bible, the Holy Qur’an, the Japanese Bushinko, the Egyptian and Tibetan books of the Dead. I’ve read about the Bonn religion, Russian and Greek orthodox religions and Hinduism. I’ve studied Shamanism and Buddhism and I could mention many more.

Yet, in 2009, I converted to Buddhism, not because I was seeking a religion. I’m openly, and honestly, not good at following any set of religious rules and rituals. I’m not even capable of having, or following, ritualistic patterns in my everyday life, let alone my spiritual one. I never get out of bed at the same time daily. I never eat at regular meal times and the list could go on. I guess I just don’t have enough self-discipline in that area, or perhaps deep down I feel it’s all a waste of time.

In all honesty, I probably make a terrible Buddhist. I don’t follow any kind of formalised, or institutionalised indoctrination and I don’t pray conventionally. I don’t chant properly or frequently enough. My meditation practice is falling a little by the wayside and I’ve probably broken a few of the vows I took when I converted.

Yet, I don’t go out of my way to harm people or other living beings. I don’t go out of my way to harm the environment we live in. In fact, the three main Buddhist principles I try and follow every single day of my life are: love, kindness and compassion towards other living beings even though it’s not always easy. I’ve always said that mosquitoes will be the reason I’ll stay in Samsara for all eternity and my thoughts of wanting to slap around a few high-maintenance, pretentiously demanding, and thoughtless tourists on holiday is very very remote from being a good Buddhist.

None the less, I don’t go around slapping people every time I feel like I want to. On the contrary,  every day of my life, I still try to make a tiny little difference in someone else’s life and do something to avoid harming the natural world we live in. Sadly, mosquitoes are excluded from this conversation. 

The atheists among you would argue that you don’t need to be religious to be kind and you’d be absolutely right. Religion doesn’t teach us to be kind. Your parents, your education, the very foundations of your moral and ethical being teach you to be kind. You don’t have to be religious to be a kind person.

We can argue that you don’t need a God to tell you to be compassionate, which is absolutely correct. You can learn to be compassionate from a friend, a relative, from doing volunteer work, from empathising with people in circumstances different, or less fortunate than your own. You certainly don’t need a supreme being to show you how to be loving.

In fact, my strong belief is that we’re already, naturally, creatures of love. We were born from an act of love and anyone who has ever done something nice for someone else will also know how good it feels to see someone happy thanks to something we’ve done. It’s the most satisfying feeling in the world.

However, I do understand that many people in the world find these qualities difficult and need guidance to adhere to them. If that guidance comes from their God, and makes them happy and better people, then so be it. Who am I to say it’s wrong. I fully understand that a lot of people need a supreme being to believe in for their own peace of mind when things go wrong, when they need help and when there is nothing in their lives but despair. 

I completely comprehend the need many people have to believe in supernatural powers that can save them. For many, faith is all there is and why should that be wrong? As long as it harms no others in the process.

My personal reasons for converting to Buddhism were:

I’m not capable of being an Atheist. I believe that, in whatever form and with whatever name anyone wishes to call it, there is a very powerful energetic source of all creation out there. Ever since studying physics back in college and metaphysics during my university days, I’ve adhered to the philosophy that the beginning of all things is energy and that energy, by its very nature can be magnified, reduced and transformed but it can never be destroyed. 

Since all energy is derived from atoms, protons, electrons and neutrons, which are particles that form the basic composition of everything. We are no more than a bundle of unified energy on two legs. Of course, this is only the opinion of a ranting woman. I don’t expect anyone else to agree with me.

For the first time in my life, during any religious gathering, or retreat in this case, I heard a Buddhist monk, who I now love dearly and who I consider to be my heart teacher, say: “Buddhism respects all religions, beliefs and cultures.” His words resonated so deeply within me, that I knew I was in the right place and among my kind of people. 

In fact, in all the time I’ve spent in India and Nepal, among Tibetan people and those who have chosen the path of Buddhism, I’ve never heard a bad word said against any religion.

The point of saying all this though, is not to convert anyone to Buddhism nor convince anyone that Buddhism is the way to go. Not at all.

My point is, if one major religion of the world, like Buddhism, can accept and respect all other religions and ideologies, why the hell can’t all the other religions? and yes, surprisingly enough, Buddhism is one of the major religions since studies estimate that close to1 billion people practice it on a global scale. 


Is a question of arrogance and pride?  Is it because each religion wants to be right about its ideology and beliefs? Or, can it simply be a question of what it’s always been about; politics, manipulation and control. Secular powers preying on the beliefs of human being based on existential insecurities. 



I’ll address, more in depth, what I mean in my next article - Religious Ideologies.

From the flowering Udumbara ...

Dear Chinese Government,

It's time.

The wheel of Dharma has been turned, not once but twice. There is one final turn left and not even you will be able to stop the events about to come. None of us will.

The Universe has conspired to bring about a peaceful transition and change is inevitable so you too may as well embrace it.

Try as you will to eradicate a nation, a culture, a religion and a people, you have done nothing more than fuel a fire that burns deep in the heart of every Tibetan and the ones who love them around the globe.

The irony is that the more you tty to erase every trace of them, the more determined you make them. Their legacy is now global and they shall survive long after your heartless leaders have departed from this world. You made and make them stronger. For that, I am truly grateful to you. You made my people the great survivors they are now.

It is time for you to learn there is no supreme race on this planet just a single human race.

The twist in the knife you so gravely wish to implant is that your own people have become influenced and are getting closer and closer to Tibetans. Have you ever considered why?

The double irony is that in wishing to erase Tibetan culture, you have corrupt your own. Maybe it"s because your people find hope among Tibetans. Maybe it"s becausd they admire their peaceful determination. Maybe it"s because Tibetans have qualities your corrupt leaders can only dream of and maybe it"s because among Tibetans their life has value, which you have always paid little attention to.

I find it rather amusing that you took Budhism to Tibet centuries ago and now they are returning it to you by your own doing.

I am but a singular faint voice but you are making me stronger too. Soon I will be echoed a thousand times over.

You cannot stop the inevitable.
The Dharma wheel has been turned.
Turn with it in peace and harmony.

Yours truly budding

The Flowering Udumbara

URGENT EMERGENCY APPEAL - Kyekudo (Yushu) Earthquake

- From the Tibet Foundation -

http://www.tibet-foundation.org/news/urgent_emergency_appeal_-_kyekudo_yushu_earthquake/

You may have already heard the sad news of the devastating earthquake (a 6.9 magnitude) this morning at 07.49 (23.49 GMT) in Yushu (Kyedudo in Tibetan) in the northwest Province of Qinghai. This news has been widely broadcast on Chinese television and by the BBC.

Yushu County is 800km (500 miles) southwest of the provincial capital Xining. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region in the west and Kandze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the east.

Having worked in this region in the past, Tibet Foundation is familiar with the area and is already in contact with local people and local authorities. Ninety percent of the population there is ethnic Tibetan. The area is one of the poorest and remotest regions in the country with very inadequate communication and infrastructure.

The powerful tremor struck around 8 am local time followed by several other quakes, destroying or damaging almost all the houses, also school buildings, medical clinics and hospitals in the county capital, Kyekudo. Information regarding nearby areas is not available at the moment due to landslides and the breakdown of telecommunications. The official report of casualties states that some 400 are dead and thousands more injured. The unofficial and unconfirmed news from local people is three times greater than this.

The Chinese government has a good record of responding efficiently to such emergencies. The government and the Chinese Red Cross have already sent officials to assess the situation. Due to the remoteness of the region and poor infrastructure it could be a very challenging task.

We are directly in touch with some local people and local officers, and the Foundation representative in the nearby Kandze Prefecture is coordinating our assessment of the situation. Your help is most urgently needed for the Tibetans in the region. Whatever support you can give towards immediate assistance for medicine, clothing and food, and also long-term support for rebuilding schools and health clinics, would be very much appreciated. All funds raised by Tibet Foundation will go immediately to the people in need with no intermediary agencies.

Please, we urgently request you to help the Tibetans in Kyekudo affected by this devastating earthquake. We assure you that whatever amount you can offer, however large or small, will go directly to assisting the people in Kyekudo.

Donations

Either:

Send your cheque made payable to Tibet Foundation (Yushu Earthquake) to Tibet Foundation, 2. St. James’s Market, London, SW1Y 4SB, UK

http://www.tibet-foundation.org/news/urgent_emergency_appeal_-_kyekudo_yushu_earthquake/

Where is justice?

1.2 million Tibetans dead. 125,000 counted in exile by the 1996 census. 2,500 seek asylum every year. Thousands suffer malnutrition, depression, anxiety and persecution syndrome. Thousands never see their home or their families ever again. Thousands die in exile because they never recover. Thousands die because the living conditions in exile aren’t adequate enough.

How many more have to die? How many more need to suffer before something is done? Where is human justice?

I’m not a political person. I never have been. Yet, I will stand up and be a voice when I think something needs to be heard.

The invasion and illegal annexation of Tibet began in 1949. You can read the full story here: http://www.tibet.com/whitepaper/white2.html

Since then, Tibetans have fled mainly to Nepal, India and Bhutan in search of asylum. Although, there are circa 9,000 refugees living in the United States, 8,000 living in Switzerland and a few thousand scattered throughout other parts of Europe and Canada. However, recent census figures are unavailable at this time. (Macalester College)

This year, I visited Nepal and was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with several hundreds of Tibetan refugees. I even visited one of the Tibetan refugee camps just outside Pokhara. Believe me when I say, the Tibetan people are beautiful, kind, loving and peaceful people. They open their doors, their hearts and their homes to strangers. They have little or nothing to give and yet they give everything.

Despite their ordeal, they are not driven by vendetta, resentment or hatred. They are not motivated by capitalism or materialism. They pray for their enemy. In fact, despite the invasion of Tibet and the Chinese occupation, they don’t even consider China their enemy. During one of the retreats I took part in, I was told to pray for China. It was I, as a Westerner, who had to confront that part of me, which unlike them, was reluctant to forgive and forget. Tibetan people resolve matters with loving words, with prayers and with hope in their heart.

Although the Tibetan refugee camps are well organised with small handicraft factories, a prayer hall and basic living quarters for everyone; they are not really a place to call home.

The particular refugee camp I visited was founded in 1962 and yet the people who live there are still not officially recognised by the Nepalese government. To this day, most of the Tibetan people, living there, have no citizenship. They are no longer Tibetans because Tibet is now Chinese. They are not recognised by Nepal because they are asylum seekers. So, they belong to no country.

Citizenship would mean the possibility of a legal job. It would mean being able to travel backwards and forwards to Tibet and visit their family. Yet, it costs Tibetan refugees a tremendous amount of money to get a citizenship of Nepal. A monk friend of mine recently told me it was around 800 Sterling Pounds - if they're lucky enough to get one. Considering the monthly income is around 50 British Pounds – for some not even that - it’s an unthinkable amount of money to spend. So, they're forced to decide between living essentials or citizenship.

They mainly rely on the sales of handcraft items to survive. Monks and nuns don’t earn anything at all. They rely on the kindness and support of donations and sponsorship to survive; and the willingness of monasteries and nunneries to look after them.

During the low tourist season or during times of recession in Europe (like now) - people aren't spending much money - so many Tibetan families barely manage to make ends meet. This is something that I feel wouldn't necessarily happen if the Tibetan people were in their own country in "real" jobs - (whatever they may be defined as.)

While I was there, a Tibetan woman put all her pride aside and asked me for my clothes. She also asked if I had any sheets or other items I didn’t need. She wasn't a beggar. She was a beautiful, polite lady selling jewellery on the streets who was just trying to provide for her family in the best way any mother or grandmother would.

If a family member becomes ill, the medical bills put an enormous strain on the whole family’s total monthly expenditure.

We can say that poverty is everywhere in the world. I know this, but this is a poverty that could be avoided if the people of Tibet were allowed to have a place to belong to - a citizenship - an employment.

Worst of all, where is their voice? It seems that every time someone speaks of the Tibetan situation it’s pushed under the carpet. In fact, one day in Nepal, four of us went down to join a protest march for free Tibet. By the time we got there, everyone had been arrested and thrown in prison.

Now, President Obama is going to visit China and the Tibetan situation isn’t even on his agenda; despite his closeness to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

What kind of human rights is that? Where's the freedom of expression? I believe everyone should be allowed to have a voice.

Like I said before, I am on the side of the people - not governments and politics. I believe in human beings and their rights to the basic human necessities of life.
So, I ask: “Where is justice?”

Back from Nepal

It’s been a while I know… but I do have a good excuse. I spent 7 weeks away from modern technology. Now, although sometimes it was frustrating, most of the time it was absolute bliss!

Just for the record, I spent 6 weeks in what I can only describe as the magical, mystical and spiritual country of Nepal. The country and the people captured my heart.

I spent 5 weeks at Kopan Monastery on the outskirts of Kathmandu. More or less, 4 of those weeks were spent in retreat. One week was spent volunteering in the clinic in Kopan Nunnery. Finally, I spent 5 days in Lakeside near Pokhara, where I had the opportunity to visit a beautiful Tibetan family in Hengja refugee camp.

The whole trip was a heart wrenching and heart warming experience (to say the least.)

Never before has my heart and soul been opened so much in one singular place. Never before have I encountered so much warmth and love from so many beautiful people. I look at the amount of suffering and poverty in Nepal and yet, I see hope for the future.

Only 30% of the total population of Nepal is employed. Poverty is a common thing. People live below the poverty line. However, people who can help, give what they can; not with indifference or embarrassment but with the genuine desire to help. Whether it’s with a hand full of rice, a bottle of water or a few rupees; each person helps in their own way.

The army’s presence is strong; a reminder to us all of the restless times we live in. Yet, countless faceless, nameless people from both the East and the West spin Dharma wheels and pray in hope of peace.

The blind are led, the hungry are fed, the elderly and the unmarried are taken care of. The departed are remembered by communities who gather to commemorate. People come together to help people and not just in times of crisis.

Kopan Monastery, where I stayed, uses wisely the donations given to it in order to give refuge to numerous Tibetans who go unrecognised by the Nepali government, and who can no longer go home. Some monks haven’t seen their families, in Tibet, for over ten years.

They empower their nuns by offering them degrees in Philosophy. Nepali families who can’t afford to support their children send them to the nunnery or the monastery. Westerners come from all corners of the world to seek retreat.

Nobody is turned away. Everyone is welcome; regardless of race, colour, belief or background. You instantly feel the warmth and love when you see the sign on the entrance floor saying: “Welcome Home.”

If anyone wants to see the first batch of phootographs from my trip, they’re available at:

www.flickr.com/venerina or
www.facebook.com/venerina