Beds for Tibet

Over the last 50 years the Chinese have destroyed much of the Tibetan culture, brutally suppressed the Tibetan people and killed a fifth of the population.

Thousands of monasteries and ancient texts have been destroyed and hundreds of thousands of Tibetans have followed their leader, the Dalai Lama, into exile.The Tibetan tragedy is made more poignant by the friendly and welcoming nature of the Tibetan people; Tibetan resistance has remained non-violent.

Every year many Tibetans of all ages make the dangerous journey across the Himalayas to escape Chinese persecution, usually in winter when the border guards are less attentive. Not all survive and many lose fingers and toes to frostbite. Many children have been orphaned. They make the journey to India so they can live in a Tibetan culture and their children can have a Tibetan education.

The Tibetan Homes Foundation provides accommodation and care in India for young Tibetans, many of whom have fled Tibet and are parted from their families - sometimes forever. The children are well looked after and the accommodation is secure. However, as the children's mattresses have worn out through constant use and need replacing, the Tibet Relief Fund is currently raising funds for the Foundation to buy new ones locally. This is a good example of the practical support that the Tibet Relief Fund gives to Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal - helping to fund a range of healthcare,
education and income-generating projects. We would invite you to make a further donation either directly to the Tibet Relief Fund or via ourselves. This can be done most easily with your credit card.

Bagdro is a remarkable Tibetan monk arrested in 1988 during an uprising in Llasa (the capital of Tibet). He was imprisoned and badly tortured. When he was released he was not allowed to go back to a monastery and his family had suffered reprisals so could not help him. After some time he escaped to Nepal and was later flown to Paris for treatment for his injures.

He has written of his experiences in his book 'A Hell on Earth' and has spoken in many countries about life as a political prisoner in Tibet. He is currently translating his book into Chinese - his view is that the Chinese people need the help of Tibetans to realise what has been done in their name.

We have copies of his book available for £3 inc post and packing. Bagdro posted copies of his book to many world leaders - their replies, printed in the current edition, make interesting reading!

Incense burning is an important aspect of Tibetan culture. Incense is made to ancient recipes from complex mixtures of herbs and is used medicinally and for religious devotion. One of the Chinese crackdowns in Llasa last year made it illegal for children or monks to attend the incense burning ceremonies during Losar, the Tibetan New Year celebrations. We have wonderful, earthy Tibetan incense made in a monastery in Dharamsala. You can support this exiled community by buying their incense - we sell five packets for £7 (inc postage in the UK). It is very relaxing and excellent for meditation.