Drawings from Dharamsala : February 2013

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Towards the last two months of my last visit to India in the spring of 2012, I encountered the Tibetan community in exile in India experiencing painful news of their people self-immolating in fire one after another in China-occupied Tibet. My experiences in the past visits in India (drawing a cremation site in Varanasi, documenting fire pits, cremation alters, and contemplating on life and death around fire) synchronized with this particular movement, an extreme way of ‘offering’ their bodies to ‘fire’ for asking freedom and peace.I could not help drawing large and small drawings as emotional response and with a sense of mourning.

After coming back to Vancouver, the self-immolation kept happening and I felt that my personal and professional task is not finished.

I have come back to India to continue to document and draw under the same theme. tomoyoihaya@hotmail.com

25 February 2013

For Sangdag

For Sangdag,a monk from Dhiphu Monastery

He set himself ablaze on the main road in Ngaba region, Amdo on February 25.

Chinese security personnel arrived and took his body.
we do not know where he is and how he is.

He walked, is walking, leaving fear behind

For Phagmo Dhondup and Tsezung Kyab

For Phagmo Dhondup and Tsezung Kyab 27 yrs old

Phagmo set himself on fire near Jhakhyung Monastery in Palung Region, Eastern Tibet on February 24th

Tsezung Kyab, near Shitsang Monastery in Luchu region of eastern Tibet on February 25th, at the same spot where his cousin, Pema Dorjee, passed away on December 8 2012.

'Peace is like air. Once it is gone, you can not breathe' the same applies to freedom and love.
Without them, it is like living with a cage around you

19 February 2013

For Rinchen and Sonam Dhargey

For Rinchen and Sonam Dhargey, who self-immolated together on February 19 2013 in Zoege, Kyangtsa Region, Amdo.

Rinchen was 17 yrs old and Sonam Dhargey 18 yrs old.

so young and unknown vast future ahead, yet, you decided to sacrifice your lives for others and your land's future.

May your spirit keep growing and growing by living among those left behind and on your motherland

17 February 2013

For Namlha Tsering

For Namlha Tsering, 49 yrs old, who self-immolated on Feb 17 2013 in Labrang, Sangchu region, Amdo

'If we do not resist, we will be wiped out from the earth. Our sacred land will be exploited and our identity killed'
Heard one terrorist leader spoke on TV. And they kill.

Tibetan people are under the same situation for over 50 years, yet, like Namlha, carries out their non-violence resistance by a painful way of offering their bodies to fire.

I can not paint flame on your body anymore. It makes me cry too much. I can only paint a butter lamp, the light of hope to wish an ultimate path to your peace and freedom on your Land of Snows.

13 February 2013

For Drugpa Khar

For Drugpa Khar, 26 yrs old, who self-immolated on February 13 in Amchok, Sangchu Region of Kanlho, Amdo.

Father of 3 chilidren

Your land has been fenced and exploited
But someday you will go back to that green pasture and mountains under stars

For Dhuptse and for Lobsang Namgyal

For Dhuptse and for Lobsang Namgyal, a monk from Kirti Monastery, Ngaba, Amdo, TIbet

Dhuptse self-immolated on February 13 near the holy Buddhist Stupa of Boudhanath, kathmandu, Nepal.

The news of Lobsang Namgyal's self-immolation arrived on the same day. He had passed away on Feb 3rd on site.

Chiese security took his body right way, only ash of his body was returned to his family.

sending prayers, I picture them standing on the green hill, among mountains and clear water.

11 February 2013

Wishes on Losar

Today, on Tibetan New Year, Losar

I send all my good wishes go to all my Tibetan friends and families.
My heart is with those who sacrificed their precious lives for freedom.
May Peace, Love, Happiness and freedom prevail on the Land of Snows, Tibet, and on the earth as soon as light travels