Role of Tibetan Women in the Preservation and Perpetuation of the Tibetan Culture in Exile
By Ghang Lhamo
(Following is a translation of the original text in Tibetan.
Attempts have been made to maintain originality and structure of
the language. However, complex sentences with varying ideas have
been broken into simpler sentences for clarity. )
Introduction:
The natural order in this world is such that a whole ecosystem goes through a process of change and evolution, and finally degeneration. Human beings have been able to use their higher intelligence to reuse and reprocess things for the betterment and happiness of people. This is a source of both pride and happiness. Likewise, reviving the lost tradition, preservation and advancement of one’s cultural heritage should also reuse and reprocess to synchronize and take advantage of the international movement.
Current Condition of the Tibetan Culture
The heinous occupation of Tibet by the colossal power of the East has caused great destruction to Tibetan culture and now, in the twenty first century, Tibetan cultural identity stands at the brink of extinction. Therefore, now is the time for an urgent resuscitation.
The late Penchen Rinpochi worked endlessly to promote the widespread usage of the Tibetan language. He traveled extensively to distant Tibetan areas to encourage protection and revitalization of Tibetan Buddhism and language. Though his contribution will always be remembered and faithful followers will carry on his work and wishes, it is increasingly difficult to preserve Tibetan culture in Tibet because of the non-cooperative political atmosphere.
In exile, under the auspice of His Holiness' promotion of democratic principles, Tibetan Buddhism has flourished. Led by three big monasteries, Buddhist studies are conducted through the time tested traditional ways of listening, writing and debating, while at the same time research for higher learning continues unabated. Furthermore, the head of Tibetan Cabinet, Sangtong Rinpochi has instituted new educational policies, which preserve traditional culture and at the same time clear a path to continuous progress and advancement.
How to Preserve and Advance Tibetan Culture
One: Tibetan language is one of the most important aspects of Tibetan identity. Tibetan language usage in normal every day lives should be highly encouraged and diligently promoted by creating conducive atmospheres. People's love and high regard of their culture is a prerequisite for its culture to develop and prosper. With that said, for any aspect of Tibetan culture to improve, the public should participate and voice their opinion. In this advanced Internet time, standardization of new Tibetan terms should be carried out abruptly. This is the way to preserve and advance Tibetan cultural identity in accordance with modernity.
Second: There is an increasing lack of Tibetan language use amongst Tibetan youngsters. To bridge this gap, all concerned parties: the Tibetan government, Tibetan organizations, and Tibetan individuals - should make Tibetan language usable in every situation. Doing so will create interest and provide youngsters with the tools they need to advance their mind through Tibetan language. All concerned parties must also confront the evils of the Tibetan character, laziness and lack of attention.
On the educational front, modern subjects like science, economics, business, ecology, and politics should be taught in Tibetan language at least up to the twelfth grade. Additionally, Tibetan culture and philosophy should be taught in classes. If there could be a significant increase in interest in the Tibetan language, it could become the primary language for learning about new cultures and philosophies. We should work to further that goal.
Three: The immensely profound Buddhist philosophy is the essence of Tibetan culture, but there are many traditional handicrafts that are less profound and needed to be explored more. These crafts should be studied in accordance with international economic development; in this way culture should adapt and adopt in order to advance. Many traditional handicrafts are outstanding in terms of quality in the world, but the production scales are far from marketable. Even the use of many crafts in Tibetan homes and daily lives has diminished. Finding new ways of reviving the culture is very crucial.
Four: In order to bring in knowledge from international communities, there must be well-qualified translation and research departments under one jurisdiction. The Tibetan government and other organizations should help find financial backing to support the work of these professionals. Not only should Tibetans focus on bringing in outside knowledge, but we must also promulgate Buddhism as well as beneficial aspects of the traditional Tibetan culture to the greater world. Translation works should always keep in mind that the core of the project is to promote and advance Tibetan culture. With that in mind, there should be plans to establish a qualified translation department.
Five: There should be careful consideration in the promulgation of Buddhism; even the smallest detail and explanation should be precise so that people can benefit from it. Politics and religion should be interpreted in their own ways.
Openness is crucial, as is competition, in acquiring valuable knowledge from other cultures. It is important to adopt new methods people can utilize in their daily lives. Though it is important to consider economic values, the ultimate quality of adopting new methods should be whether the new change can bring positive advancement to people’s daily lives.
Six: Aside from the cultures that have been destroyed by those who were in power, the evolution of culture is based on competition and cultural practices that cannot be understood by people who have forgotten them.
The valuable and beneficial aspects of culture should be acknowledged. Humans have always relied on the method of using an outsider as a guide to understand one’s own imperfections and through further discussion; one can see their own imperfections.
As the saying goes, 'You have eyes to see others, but you need a mirror to see yourself'. We must acknowledge that while Tibetan culture boosts many valuable qualities, it also has its imperfections. Those individuals that have a good understanding of Tibetan culture should work together in demystifying our culture and advancing it with the modern time. The educated youth should lead the way in this regard.
Seven: Buddhism is an outstanding philosophy and the essence of Tibetan culture. It is the responsibility of all Buddhists, Tibetans included, and all those who wish and work for the happiness of human beings to protect Buddhism.
As following His Holiness' advice on doing comparative research on Tibetan history, Tibetan professionals all over the world should combine their efforts in order to save the dying Tibetan culture. This should be furthered in accordance with the reality of the modern time.
Eight: Tibetan costume has represented the good nature of Tibetan people but now these costumes are used solely for shows and exhibitions. As these costumes are no longer used in Tibetan daily life, it is time for knowledgeable individuals to gather together to change this. New costumes should be marketed in public so that Tibetans will happily use them on a daily bases. These costumes could also become uniforms for organizations so that we can revive this aspect of Tibetan culture.
Nine: There is a lack of a professional Tibetan women's guild in exile. This guild should be started. Individual women should study published materials from nunneries and organizations and try to get support from the Tibetan government and society in order to make up for the lack of female professionals.
Tibetan women should advance themselves through education and at the same time should understand what it means to protect Tibetan culture and be a good human being. Tibetan women should embody these qualities in their heart, mind and speech and be able to set a good example.
Conclusion:
The points mentioned above are methods in which we can preserve and advance our culture. To this end, it is important for Tibetan women to keep creating platforms for discussion so that advancement can continue. This is the opinion of an individual Tibetan woman.
Written on the fifteenth day of the fourth month, two thousand
one hundred thirty four Tibetan year.
May 31, 2007