A personal tribute. 26th May 2012. Top of the World, Tibet side.
2007. When I was kicked out from Tibet by the Chinese authorities, my “fault” was that I happened to have a book in my backpack with a photo of the Dalai Lama on the cover. I can still hear the harsh voice of the officer saying “You can NEVER step into Tibet again!” Since then, I applied four times for an entry, every time, in vain.
2012. Five years later, with prayers of my country people and friends across the world, I was blessed to reach the top of the world from Nepal side. On the summit, I crossed the Buddha statues, stepped over to the other side, stepped into Tibet and held up a pic of our Kundun with much joy & pride.
Note: this is not a protest- rather, I would call it an “Act of Love” for my beloved teacher HH and a small token of appreciation on his 77th Birthday!
Also I was taught to respect ancestors of every land… through him the first ever expedition to Chomolungma/ Sagarmatha/ Everest had began in 1924 from an independent Tibet. This is the least one can do while being in Tibet- remember the Tibetans (and their continuous struggle against tyranny.) Having said that, this is also about my own dignity. I don’t think any other human being on earth has a right to tell me who’s book I choose to read, who’s thoughts I subscribe or don’t subscribe, regardless of my geographical location. This is about my BASIC Freedom and RIGHT TO BE.
I could’nt have made it to the top of the world without the kind help of my Tibetan & Sherpa friends, soul families, and of course my dearest friend, the 14th Dalai Lama. So this one is for you ♥
Mere words will never describe the level, length and intensity of gratitude I feel towards you. But still: Thank you, for showing me your world and nurturing me with your strength. Thank you, for helping me recognize the path when I was sinking in darkness. Thank you, for teaching me the power of walking with mindfulness.
When I stepped onto Tibet’s soil, I stepped for all of you, remembering all of you ♥ And ofcourse Kundun was, is, with me - throughout. Zillion windhorses took the messages of Freedom deeper into Tibet’s land, your beautiful HOME, pictured here beneath and behind where i'm standing. Humblest most Salute!!!
Moral of the story: Anything is possible, never say never. Big fat Bho Gyalo from Bangladesh!!
.:: བོད་རང་བཙན། ::.
***
Here’s a song that played non-stop in my head during many of the crucial moments of my expedition~
War
Lyrics by Haile Selassie I
Sang by Bob Marley
"Until the philosophy which hold one race superior
And another
Inferior
Is finally
And permanently
Discredited
And abandoned -
Everywhere is war -
Me say war.
That until there no longer
First class and second class citizens of any nation
Until the colour of a man's skin
Is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes -
Me say war.
That until the basic human rights
Are equally guaranteed to all,
Without regard to race -
Dis a war.
That until that day
The dream of lasting peace,
World citizenship
Rule of international morality
Will remain in but a fleeting illusion to be pursued,
But never attained -
Now everywhere is war - war.
And until the ignoble and unhappy regimes
that hold our brothers in Angola,
In Mozambique,
South Africa
Sub-human bondage
Have been toppled,
Utterly destroyed -
Well, everywhere is war -
Me say war.
War in the east,
War in the west,
War up north,
War down south -
War - war -
Rumours of war.
And until that day,
The African continent
Will not know peace,
We Africans will fight - we find it necessary -
And we know we shall win
As we are confident
In the victory
Of good over evil -
Good over evil, yeah!
We don’t need,
No more trouble
What we need is LOVE."
