OBITUARY — LHASANG TSERING: A TRUE PRACTITIONER OF THE DALAI LAMA’S DEMOCRACY

By Vijay Kranti

Losing a friend whom you adore and love immensely is not an ordinary loss. Passing away of Lhasang Tsering is a personal loss for me for so many reasons. He was among that very first bunch of Tibetans who became my friends during early months of my association and love affair with Tibet 54 years ago. Actually it was this very group of young men who etched the impression of Tibet and her struggle on my heart and mind. This gang comprised of Lodi Gyari, Tenzin Geyche, Jamyang Norbu, Sonam Topgyal, Tendzin Choegyal (Ngari Rinpoche) and Lhasang Tsering who became my darling friends from our very first meeting. Interestingly, all of us were in the same age-bracket : early twenties or mid-twenties. But the unfortunate part of this story is that among seven of us four have already played their current inning and passed on to their next lives. Lhasang is my latest loss. 

I am fortunate that my bond of friendship and love with these friends not only stayed intact till the parting time but it also grew up like an organic entity over the decades. It makes me feel proud that all of them grew into stalwarts in their respective fields. 

What makes Lhasang stand apart in this group and the rest of Tibetan refugee community is the intensity of his commitment to the cause of Tibetan ‘Rangzen’ (Independence of Tibet from Chinese colonial grip). What has always made me adore him especially is that this intensity of his dedication to ‘Rangzen’ went on only increasing with his advancing age and despite the ever increasing irrational resistance – and opposition – which he faced at the hands of that sizeable section of Tibetan diaspora who have fanatically decided to put their weight behind the ‘Middle Way Approach’ as an expression of their support and respect for Dalai Lama. Although many of his opponents tried to paint him as ‘anti-Dalai Lama’ but my interactions with him made me understand clearly that he knowingly took the risk of being misunderstood and face the social ridicule while making a clear distinction between disagreeing with the policies of Dalai Lama and respecting him as the supreme spiritual leader of his nation. 

I can vouch with all humility and wisdom at my command that when Lhasang showed the courage of sticking his neck out by announcing “SAY NO TO DALAI LAMA” it was only an expression of his strong opposition to Dalai Lama’s idea of giving up the claims for an independent Tibet in return for ‘genuine autonomy’ for Tibet and Tibetan people under the Chinese rule and constitution. It was not an expression of his disrespect towards Dalai Lama or rejection of his leadership. In a way I found him as one among that small community of Tibetans who have embraced the real spirit of democracy which Dalai Lama has introduced to the Tibetan nation. If Lord Buddha could tell His disciples that instead of blindly following His teachings they should further verify what he says and reject what they did not find acceptable, it is equally in the spirit of democracy that the followers of Dalai Lama should have the courage to contest what they don’t agree with. In that sense I find Lhasang a true follower of Lord Buddha as well as the Dalai Lama.

During initial years, talking to Lhasang used to be a pleasant, exciting and reassuring experience for a person like me who has always believed in and openly expressed his support for the cause of ‘Rangzen’. This shared love for ‘Rangzen’ remained the unbroken bond between both of us all though these years. However, in later years, especially during past two decades, I discovered frequently that it was a risky idea to engage with Lhasang on delicate political issues. On many occasions his wife, who was the real running spirit behind their family book shop ‘Book Worm’ in McLeod Ganj, advised me to avoid engaging Lhasang in any political discussion because she had witnessed him losing temper and throwing tantrums as an expression of his utter frustration with the ongoing political discourse in the Tibetan society. On one such occasion when, as a habit, I stopped over at the ‘Book Worm’ for a cup of tea and chat with Lhasang I found him keen for a discussion. It was natural because, unlike most other people who had started avoiding him, I’ve been always presenting myself to him as a keen listener and a genuine admirer. It all started with exchange of pleasantries and a warm hug. But very soon his frustration with the Tibetan situation went out of hand. The neighborhood tea shop boy had taken away the tea glasses and the wooden stool in front of us was now lying vacant. Suddenly the voice levels of Lhasang went high enough to attract attention of passersby in the street. And then suddenly Lhasang banged the stool with such a devastating force that the poor stool crashed and flew away  into innumerable pieces. Lhasang’s thin and slim frame but sturdy hands and strong sound chords would never let his Mustang guerrilla characteristics miss the attention of those who dealt with him in a discussion or debate. It took me sometime to cool him down to near normal before the small crowd in front of his shop melted away assured that it was not a fight between us. 

But all said and done, interacting with Lhasang during meetings and conferences was always a pleasant experience. He would happily join photo sessions with old friends and his young admirers with equal enthusiasm and warmth. It has taken me a little time to dig out some of my photos with Lhasang. While two photos are from the ‘International Rangzen Conference (2012)’ the third one is my joint photo with Lhasang Tsering and Tenzin Tsundue – the two great revolutionaries with whom I share my love and commitment towards Tibetan Rangzen.

Lhasang was one of those few Tibetan thinkers, writers, poets and activists who have deeply influenced more than one generation of Tibetans. His revolutionary tone and words of wisdom would mesmerize the audiences, especially young Tibetans. That explains why has been always popular with the younger Tibetan generations.

Good Bye dear Lhasang Tsering!!! I am confident that you will keep inspiring coming generations of Tibetans and keep the flame of hope and commitment high in you next life. In this life you were three years younger to me. But in our next life you will be my senior – and, hopefully, once again my best friend and my dynamic mentor. 

The author is an Indian journalist and Tibetologist whose love-affair with Tibet and Tibetan people spans over 54 years. He can be contacted at  v.kranti@gmail.com  | www.vijaykranti.com. | +91 9810245674