Tsering Dolma Gyaltong
Encyclopedia
Tsering Dolma Gyaltong is a Tibetan spiritual leader who lives in exile in Toronto
, Canada
. Tsering has been active in being an Founding Member of the Tibetan Women's Association
and re-establishing it again in 1984.
She has been active in her open criticism of China's treatment of Tibetans - causing others to become vocal.
Tsering gained international recognition as a healer and resides on the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers
- a group of spiritual elders, medicine women
and wisdom keepers.
Due to the Invasion of Tibet
by the Chinese and the ongoing treatment of the Tibetans. On the 17th of March 1959, the day that the Dalai Lama
began his escape from the Norbulingka Palace
, The Tibetan Women’s Association, of which Tsering was a Founding Member carried out a street demonstration with 500 of its members. Due to this, Tsering is said to have been 'instrumental' in creating the diversion to get Dalai Lama
out of Tibet
in 1959.
into exile in India.
. Tsering took on many roles on the Executive Committee - spanning 10 years; Vice President from 1985–1988, Special Assistant from 1988–1991, Vice President from June–October in 1992 and President from 1993-1994.
, China
. Here, Tsering and her fellow delegates bravely criticised China's treatment of Tibetans, especially women.
Due to the heavy-handedness of Chinese security, and Tsering's outspokenness and the publicity actions of other members of the Tibetan Women's Delegation, the event was seen as a public relations
disaster for China.
Another success was that they were able to meet with hundreds of other international female delegates, they were able to network and get their message heard internationally.
. These thirteen Grandmothers are internationally known Keepers of Wisdom, Medicine Women and Shaman and come from all four directions of the world.
The Council has been active in protecting indigenous rights and medicines, promoting ancient wisdom. The Grandmothers have also petitioned the Roman Catholic Church
to revoke a 15th Century Papal bull
and related edict
s which brought about a culture of 'rape and run' culture when new lands have been discovered. The Grandmothers have visited the Vatican City in order to hand-deliver their request. However, these medieval decrees still yet to be revoked.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Tsering has been active in being an Founding Member of the Tibetan Women's Association
Tibetan Women's Association
The Tibetan Women's Association ' is a women's association based in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India. The group was officially formed on September 10, 1984 in India, by Rinchen Khando Choegyal, a former Tibetan Youth Congress activist, although the group itself claims that a precursor was created in...
and re-establishing it again in 1984.
She has been active in her open criticism of China's treatment of Tibetans - causing others to become vocal.
Tsering gained international recognition as a healer and resides on the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers
International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers
The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers is a group of Spiritual Elders who came together in 2004 to form an international alliance of indigenous female elders...
- a group of spiritual elders, medicine women
Medicine man
"Medicine man" or "Medicine woman" are English terms used to describe traditional healers and spiritual leaders among Native American and other indigenous or aboriginal peoples...
and wisdom keepers.
Due to the Invasion of Tibet
Battle of Chamdo
The Battle of Chamdo, also referred to as the invasion of Tibet, was a military campaign by the People's Republic of China against a de facto independent Tibet in Qamdo after months of failed negotiations...
by the Chinese and the ongoing treatment of the Tibetans. On the 17th of March 1959, the day that the Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
began his escape from the Norbulingka Palace
Norbulingka
Norbulingka is a palace and surrounding park in Lhasa, Tibet, built from 1755. It served as the traditional summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas from the 1780s up until the 14th Dalai Lama's exile in 1959...
, The Tibetan Women’s Association, of which Tsering was a Founding Member carried out a street demonstration with 500 of its members. Due to this, Tsering is said to have been 'instrumental' in creating the diversion to get Dalai Lama
14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
out of Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
in 1959.
Exile in India
Tsering's husband job in 1959 was to get support for Tibet from other governments. Because of being implicated in this work, Tsering and her children had to leave Chinese occupied Tibet. Tsering followed the Dalai Lama14th Dalai Lama
The 14th Dalai Lama is the 14th and current Dalai Lama. Dalai Lamas are the most influential figures in the Gelugpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, although the 14th has consolidated control over the other lineages in recent years...
into exile in India.
Refugee in Canada
Tsering moved with her family to Canada in 1972. She now lives in Toronto, Canada.Reinstatement of The Tibetan Women's Association
In 1984, Tsering came back to India to reinstate the central Tibetan Women's AssociationTibetan Women's Association
The Tibetan Women's Association ' is a women's association based in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India. The group was officially formed on September 10, 1984 in India, by Rinchen Khando Choegyal, a former Tibetan Youth Congress activist, although the group itself claims that a precursor was created in...
. Tsering took on many roles on the Executive Committee - spanning 10 years; Vice President from 1985–1988, Special Assistant from 1988–1991, Vice President from June–October in 1992 and President from 1993-1994.
Fourth World Women’s Conference
Tsering and two other Canadian Tibetan Refugees were joined by Tibetan delegates from Australia, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States in order to attended the Fourth World Women’s Conference which, in 1985, was held in BeijingBeijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Here, Tsering and her fellow delegates bravely criticised China's treatment of Tibetans, especially women.
Due to the heavy-handedness of Chinese security, and Tsering's outspokenness and the publicity actions of other members of the Tibetan Women's Delegation, the event was seen as a public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
disaster for China.
Another success was that they were able to meet with hundreds of other international female delegates, they were able to network and get their message heard internationally.
The International Council of 13 Grandmothers
In 2004, Tsering was approached by The Center for Sacred Studies to serve on the International Council of 13 Indigenous GrandmothersInternational Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers
The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers is a group of Spiritual Elders who came together in 2004 to form an international alliance of indigenous female elders...
. These thirteen Grandmothers are internationally known Keepers of Wisdom, Medicine Women and Shaman and come from all four directions of the world.
The Council has been active in protecting indigenous rights and medicines, promoting ancient wisdom. The Grandmothers have also petitioned the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
to revoke a 15th Century Papal bull
Papal bull
A Papal bull is a particular type of letters patent or charter issued by a Pope of the Catholic Church. It is named after the bulla that was appended to the end in order to authenticate it....
and related edict
Edict
An edict is an announcement of a law, often associated with monarchism. The Pope and various micronational leaders are currently the only persons who still issue edicts.-Notable edicts:...
s which brought about a culture of 'rape and run' culture when new lands have been discovered. The Grandmothers have visited the Vatican City in order to hand-deliver their request. However, these medieval decrees still yet to be revoked.
External links
- International Council of 13 of Indigenous Grandmothers Official Website
- Official website for documentary
- For The Next Seven Generations Film Trailer
- The Center for Sacred Studies
- Statement of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers
- Official Tibetan Women's Association website
- Tibetan Women's Delegation Report on UN 4th World Conference on Women 1995
- Canada Tibet Committee website