A photographic exhibition by John Miles reviewing Tibet’s 20th century history, culture and religion was recently showcased at London’s prestigious Royal Geographical Society to coincide with the Dalai Lama’s visit to the UK. These current events continue to highlight the Tibetan people’s plight.
Tibet’s Forgotten World provides an in-depth look at a country that has remained isolated for many centuries because of its harsh geographical location. This exhibition by photographer John Miles explores this forgotten world, providing a unique insight to the Tibetan landscape, its culture and its people. “This is an exhibition about Tibet and it is about the Tibetans communicating to the audience. I think it’s trying to be optimistic, focusing on the different structures as in the geography, history, the people, the religion, the culture, and the present situation and the political situation at the end,” said John Miles about his exhibition.
John Miles created the exhibition during two visits to Tibet, first in 1986, when the country was first opened to visitors, and then a decade later. He used his trips to capture architecture, traditions and festivals and of course the people. During this time he noticed changes in the country but was captivated by the Tibetan people’s courageous spirit in the face of adversity: “I think what is unique about Tibet and why people get drawn to the cause of Tibet is the people. They are special and unique. Their approach to life is humorous and profound, despite oppression. They have a very resilient and positive outlook.”
Portraits are a key part of the collection, depicting the faces of the people that live in this harsh landscape as they go about their daily lives. Situated on a plateau at high altitude, Tibet is a diverse country that encompasses the Himalayas and has often been regarded as the roof of the world. In light of continuing conflict between China and Tibet, the exhibition hopes to help everyone learn more about Tibet and its people.
The exhibition aims to help people understand a bit more fully the truth about Tibet. There is a lot of mistrust and a lack of understanding and sadly few people have been there and so many that have, have been on Chinese escorted tours and a lot of propaganda goes on so there is a distorted understanding of the history, the situation and the politics. Despite the problems the country still faces, the exhibition conveyed a positive message about Tibet and its people and their determination to preserve their unique spiritual and cultural heritage.
It coincided with a visit to the UK by Tibet’s spiritual leader the Dalai Lama who has been in exile from Tibet since 1959 and now resides in Dharamsala, India. Addressing a press conference at the Houses of Parliament, the Dalai Lama expressed his sympathy for the earthquake victims in China, before moving on to talk about Tibet. He said that the ongoing informal talks with the Chinese government were a hopeful sign of progress in the 60-year Tibetan campaign for greater autonomy. The next formal round table talks with the Chinese government will take place in the second week of this month.
The Dalai Lama said he would attend the Olympics in Beijing if he was invited and appealed for calm when the Olympic torch arrives in the capital of Tibet, Lhasa. “Firstly I appeal to the Chinese public outside as well as inside Tibet. Then secondly, I appeal to the Tibetan people. I made it clear right from the beginning that we fully support the Olympic Games and the Olympic torch as part of that. We must respect that, we must protect that.”
“I have always thought that our supporters are not pro-Tibetan. Rather they are pro-justice,” he added. “We are not calling for Tibetan independence from China. What we want is meaningful autonomy, to protect our Tibetan culture.” He continued with talk of global responsibility - of how the individual must concern themselves with the worries of other people, and that selfishness and greed will only make you unhappy. He also delivered simple yet powerful messages: “Really, inner peace ultimately depends on your own mental attitude.” “A happy life, a peaceful life is very much related, ultimately, with affection.” “The 20th century was one of war and bloodshed. Let us make the 21st century the century of dialogue. Then there will be a real possibility of peace.”
After 50 years in exile the Dalai Lama and his Tibetan exile community face an impending crisis that may result in their culture losing its identity and disappearing forever. The Tibetans are a distinctive and separate race and not Chinese. The dominant aspect of all Tibetans is their devotion to their Buddhist religion which pervades their every thought and action. It manifests itself particularly in their reverence and deep affection for His Holiness, The Dalai Lama.
Tibet enjoyed full independence in 1911, with particularly close links with Britain. These links and treaties were continued by India with independence in 1947. Sadly for Tibet the rise of communist power in China soon threatened. Claiming to liberate Tibet from Western imperialism, China’s communist armies launched a full scale invasion in 1950 and quickly occupied the country. The Dalai Lama, who had now assumed full powers at the age of 16, and his government moved south, close to the Indian frontier. But with the absence of world support, above all from Britain and India, His Holiness felt his place was with his people and returned to his capital, Lhasa where he attempted to get the best terms he could with the communists. Compromise and negotiation on the part of the Tibetans failed.
In 1959 a popular uprising of Tibetans against Chinese oppression was ruthlessly put down with a loss of almost 60,000 Tibetan lives. His Holiness was forced into exile in India, from where he started and continues his attempts on reaching an accommodation with the Chinese. The latter remain intransigent. During the last 40 years China has adopted a deliberate policy of ruthless oppression. The attack has centred on suppressing Tibet’s Buddhist religion and its unique cultural identity. Over 6,000 monasteries, with their valuable images and priceless religious books and manuscripts have been destroyed. Political indoctrination has been reinforced by imprisonment and torture.
Over a million Tibetans are estimated to have perished. The continuing destruction of the vast forests of east and southeast Tibet have led to widespread erosion, responsible in part for flooding in Bangladesh. Mass migration has resulted in Tibetans being outnumbered by the Chinese in their own land. An army of a few hundred thousand adds to China’s domination of all aspects of Tibetan life, threatening Tibet’s very identity. The Dalai Lama’s efforts towards world peace were recognised with the award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. His message remains constant, stressing the unity of mankind and the importance of regarding all peoples with love and compassion.
People worldwide are becoming more and more aware of the Tibetan people’s cause, and the authentic beauty and charm of their culture and spiritual message. It is refreshing to see that the international community as a whole including politicians, celebrities and citizens are waking up to this issue and doing what they can to exert pressure on the Chinese government to give the respect due to their Tibetan brothers and sisters, as well as autonomy. Most importantly we hope to see a complete end to the oppression which has been exerted on innocent Tibetan people, including women, children, nuns and monks, in the last century. It is always disturbing to see peace-loving, religious people under attack – be it through the sacrilege and destruction of sacred imagery and icons, the sexual violation of those within the monastic orders, or physical abuse and killings of simple peasant families and pilgrims. The Tibetans’ human rights to safety in their own home-land and freedom of religious expression need to be safeguarded by the international community as a whole, including China and the Chinese.