Role of Tibetan Women in the Preservation and Perpetuation of the Tibetan Culture in Exile
By Pema Youdon
CST Mussorie
(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. )
I would like to begin by discussing what is considered to be Tibetan culture. Tibetan culture is the language that we speak, religion that we believe in, unique dress that we wear and the good nature of Tibetan people. In saying and in truth, culture is the essence of race.
The responsibility of preserving our culture falls on all Tibetans, but per topic of this essay, How Can Tibetan Women Contribute to Tibetan Cultural Preservation?,' and as a female, I would like to take this opportunity to write how we females can contribute to the preservation of Tibetan culture. The critical prerequisite for preservation of a culture is an interest in learning the culture and loving it. If we can foster love for our culture, there is no doubt that the culture will survive; therefore Tibetan women should foster love for our culture and use it in our daily lives.
In the twenty-first century, Tibetan women have lost touch with our culture. Now it is difficult to distinguish between a Tibetan and Western woman. For example, Tibetan women these days rarely wear traditional dress; that is sad but real. The few that wear traditional dress only do so on special occasions and even these dresses are flooded with modern embroidery.
The good natured ways of our ancestral monkey father, who was the manifestation of Chenrezing and Orgress mother, are waning. This is a firm indication of the lack of preservation on our part. If we continue on this downward slope, Tibetan culture will become history.
Therefore, we the women of Tibet must come together and stop the careless ways that I have pointed out above. We must strive to preserve our costume, language and tradition by implementing them in our daily lives. There are different methods. For example, the current Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) is doing tremendous work. Women can start more organizations like TWA, and hold monthly and annual meetings about how to preserve our culture. I believe we women can contribute greatly to the independence of Tibet.
If Tibetan women work to preserve Tibetan culture and for Tibet's independence, I am sure Tibetan men will work for it as well. Therefore, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to request that Tibetan women concentrate their energy because we have a huge responsibility on our shoulder.
Finally, may His Holiness the Dalai Lama live for eternity and may Tibet soon be free.