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Tibetan History begins with the incursions of Tibetan K'iang in Central China when Buddha was living in India, Confucius and Lao-tseu in China (5th century B.C.). The History of Tibet can be divided in two parts = the first one with the establishment and the end of the Tibetan Kingdoms, the second with the establishment and the end of the Dalai-Lama Theocracy. During both periods civil and religious problems are mixed and cannot be made distinct. In the seventh century, the Tibetan King Sron-tsan-gampo was very powerful and a menace to the Chinese Empire. During this period, many famous buildings and holy places were built. Later when the Tibetan leadership in Central Asia was weaker, the Mongol Khan considered Tibet as a sacred country and secured it. This protection continued when Mongol Dynasty reigned over China. The Chinese Ming Emperors also acknowledged the leadership of Tibetan Buddhism in all of China. Tibet lived peacefully up to the recent period. The first European travellers to visit Tibet were very impressed by the country and its inhabitants. They reported that Tibet was considered as a mythic country. At the end of the second World War, the Mao-Tse-tung Army defeated Chang-Kai-chek and invaded peacefull Tibet. After installation of a pro-Chinese Administration, the first decisions brought a severe famine, suppressed civil rights and imposed the Chinese language. In March 1959, Lhassa population obliged the Dalai-Lama to escape in India, against his will... In the 1970's, during the Cultural Revolution the Red Guards destroyed nearly 2000 official buildings and holy places, and burnt nearly all the Tibetan libraries and books to get rid of the Tibetan civilisation and language.
For the last 4 years a strong repression has occured in Monasteries, in spite of the presence of Europeans journalists and tourists. The actual facts don't seem sufficiently interesting for the Western media.............
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most of kiratis, gurungs, tamangs, and others are indeed of Tibetan origin...


FREE TIBET!!!

Tears for Homeland..
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Free Tibet is a nothing but a Hyppies mantra to smoke pot. There's one thing for sure, Tibet will never be independent as long as China exists. Free Tibet, my ass. Ask a real Tibetan who lives in Tibet, not who've fled away and living in luxary in the West. It's a cute pretty slogan for them, which sounds serious but not really care. A real Tibetan living in Tibet will not say Free Tibet. Look at what China has brought to Tibet recently, beside modern necessities, the first railroad. Can you imagine how far Tibet will go with just that. I understand the human right, freedom of religion, tibetans are treated bad, blah blah blah, all that blame to the Chinese. Please do not repeat things which we've heard zillion of times.
I personally think Tibet is better off with the Chinese (if you consider every factors), though I respect Dalai Lama very deeply and have nothing against him.
No disrespect, I'm a Tibetan Buddhist myself. Tasi Delai

I hope CHINA colonizes NEPAL too!!!, we'll have trains, life of luxury, and everything else... but no identity??????? whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...

what's more important... identity or luxury???

Ok, Ok then...At least an autonomous Tibet would do.

Ahh, Communist China...What else do I know about these idiots. Their problemsa are not only restricted to the Tibetans (though theirs is the most miserable story). Apparently all non-Han minorities are targetted/ridiculed/discriminated against. The Han Chinese are the ethnic group that dominate China's current social and political scene. Other groups are either assimilated or forced to assimilate into the domineering Han culture. Notably, the muslim Uighurs in Xingiang (towards the Pakistani border), and the Hui chinese (term to designate muslim Chinese). BTW, The Vatican too has major issues with the Chinese system - religion was banned until the 1970's. It is interesting to know that the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association - CPCA (which is so obviously a Party organisation) has disavowed the pope! Now ain't that something!!

Have any of you noticed that the slogan u normally see at pro Tibet rallies have changed from FREE TIBET to SAVE TIBET now ? Cause we know that China will never give Tibet up(now that it is emerging as super power in th enear future). So it makes more sense to save its rich heritage from Communist Propoganda.

Om Mani Padh Mei Hu

SAVING TIBET is the only option that remains today for the Tibetan Government in Exile.

BTW, its true that the Dalai Lama has stated that this may be his last reincarnation. He has stated that the Tibetan diaspora should decide on whether the office of the Dalai Lama (TGIE) is a coherent one for its cultural evolution. He has also stated that should a reincarnation be sought, he would be born in the "Free World" and not in China (which means there may be 2 Dalai Lamas like the Karmapa case).

The major interpretation:

1. There is no guarantee that the Tibetan cause will remain pacific after his death.

Major worries for China :

1. Widespread acceptance of Tibetan buddhism in the West.
2. Major Hollywood links which has allowed Tibet to invade popluar culture.
3. Political links with various Western Countries.

I believe that the Chinese administration and the Dalai Lama have been in secret talks since 2003/2004. Prior to this the Chinese had refused to even speak to him. While the contents of the talks are largely unknown, the Dalai Lama would like to see greater autonomy for the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR) within China. He would also like to see two other provinces Amdo and Kham (presently under Sichuan Prefecture, I think) merged into the TAR thereby creating "Greater Tibet" or what the medieval boundaries of Tibet were before Younghusband opened up Lhasa to the outside world. Though the feasibility of anything transpiring from the conversation looks bleak, at least high level taks are being helad and the Tibet issue is still not a TOTAL lost cause.