(1/4) I am the only boy in my family, and I have 5 younger sisters. When I was 1…

Feb 12, 2016

(1/4) I am the only boy in my family, and I have 5 younger sisters. When I was 10, I became a monk. It was my mother’s idea – she thought it would be an easy life, but my father argued against it. He said, we have only one son, why should he be a monk? In the end, they told me it was my choice – and I chose to be a monk, because I thought I could help people and become more compassionate.

In 1998, when I was 14, the Chinese told everyone they had to undergo ‘re-education’ under the Communist System, which meant giving up our language, culture and all our traditions. My father refused, and was put in jail for the first time.

But it wasn’t the first time in our family. When my father was 11, his father was put in jail, tortured, and then killed. This was when China first occupied Tibet in 1958. My grandfather was from a very wealthy, politically important family so the Chinese saw him as a threat. After that, my grandmother was starved to death. At that time, they killed lots of people in this way. They would go into people’s houses and take all their possessions, all their money, and all their food – everything, even the tiniest scrap of dried vegetables.

Kungam
Tibet
Arrived 2015

#refugees #migrants #migration #australia #australianstories

25 Comments

  1. June Hallen
    June Hallen on 2016-02-12 at 7:38 pm

    What a difficult history you have had. Have you settled here in Australia now? Do you have family here? That makes all the difference.

    Reply
  2. June Hallen
    June Hallen on 2016-02-12 at 7:39 pm

    Maybe I’ll find the answer in the next episode.

    Reply
  5. Clare Alexandra
    Clare Alexandra on 2016-02-12 at 8:29 pm

    ???? Amazing story. I wish you all the best in the future. Hopefully now you are in Australia you will feel safe!

    Reply
  6. Joanne Harris
    Joanne Harris on 2016-02-12 at 8:53 pm

    So very sad and wrong to hear what happened to your grandparents and your family. I am glad you are here in Australia.

    Reply
  7. Emma Beaumont
    Emma Beaumont on 2016-02-12 at 9:02 pm

    That’s terrible! China has a hell of lot to answer for. I can never understand how we human brings can be so cruel to each other. More kindness is needed in the world.

    Reply
  9. Xiaoqin Su
    Xiaoqin Su on 2016-02-12 at 9:40 pm

    I feel guilty and sorrow for all the suffer and pain Chinese did and still doing to you, your family and all the other Tibetan. I’ll do my best to be a helping friend. Wish you the best in Australia.

    Reply
  10. Jeni Di Martino
    Jeni Di Martino on 2016-02-12 at 9:41 pm

    I hope that you can make a difference now that you are here,and I while I know that this will not be made right over night,it is a step in the right direction.

    Reply
  11. Dechen Tashi
    Dechen Tashi on 2016-02-12 at 9:52 pm

    It is indeed heart breaking tale of the Tibetans especially ; of the patriotic families like yours. I have listened to your interview sometime ago . I came to India not too long after that interview . I was in Dharamsala . I was dying to come to pay my condolences to you in person for your loses . I just could not pull myself together to face you . It was too intense . But I prayed for you and your family. I do check for anything say . We see you work tirelessly . Thank you .
    One of the reasons why ; I stay on Facebook is so I could stay in touch with young people just to pull them into being aware of who they are and what their responsibilities are as Tibetans ; and ; as Tibetans what they could do if they would without dictating to them with what to do . I am not too sure if it’s working . But , it’s certainly is a joy to come in contact with heroes of our land like yourself . Thank for your good work . History have you in its memory . Do take care . Thank for sharing your story . I will treasure it all my life .

    Reply
  12. Julie Herlihy
    Julie Herlihy on 2016-02-13 at 12:33 am

    Beautiful beautiful people. Wish you all peace and happiness.

    Reply
  14. Anne Tichborne
    Anne Tichborne on 2016-02-13 at 3:48 am

    This is a heavy burden of loss and memories. I hope your training in the buddhadharma helps you to carry it and to be patient while you adjust to the big change in your life. I bow to you. _/|_.

    Reply
  16. Tracey Heath
    Tracey Heath on 2016-02-13 at 8:49 am

    I am grateful that you are now part of the Australian community. It will be a better place for having you here.

    Reply
  17. Robert Lee
    Robert Lee on 2016-02-13 at 2:46 pm

    While your treatment by the communists is deplorable and inexcusable and deserves our sympathies, recognize that Tibet has been a part of and administered by China since the Yuan dynasty.

    Reply

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