Social Shift Stories | EP 01 | Funded by the Tibet Fund

"My journey from a small village on the Tibetan border to a monastery in South India is a testament to my resilience and dedication.”

I am Lobsang Tenzin, a monk living in South India. I was born on June 21, 1992, in a small village on the border between Tibet and Nepal, where Tibetan and Nepali people used to trade. From our village, we could see the rivers of Tibet, and over those large mountains lay our homeland, Tibet.

Although I was born only a few miles from Tibet, the presence of the Chinese army on the border made my homeland feel distant and foreign. This is my story of resilience, cultural preservation, and spiritual growth.

Growing up, my life was typical of the children in my village. I woke up to the sound of chickens, climbed mountains to gather firewood, and worked tirelessly alongside my family. As the youngest child, I dreamed of independence, of being my own master, and of obtaining an education that few from my village had pursued. With our challenging financial situation, my mother made a decision that forever changed my life: she decided to send me to a new place to become a monk.

Initially, the plan was for me to become a monk in Nepal, but the opportunities in India were much better, especially because I would be able to see His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Taking this opportunity, I was sent to India with one of my teachers.

On April 21, 2002, at the age of eight, I arrived in India (Delhi) with the hopes and dreams of my family resting on my shoulders. On that day, my teacher gave me only bread and tea, which was my first time trying them. I yearned to return home because I missed homemade Tsampa and our famous butter tea made with salt.

The cultural shock was immense, but the biggest part was my journey from Delhi to Hubli by train. The heat and the new environment overwhelmed me, but I hoped to bring out the best in myself, regardless of where the path took me. The excitement of meeting new people was so overwhelming that I don't remember sleeping for the entire train journey.

The diverse and vibrant culture of India, especially South India, was starkly different from the familiar surroundings of my village. The weather, language, food, and people all posed new challenges.

To my surprise, the monastery in South India looked the same as the monasteries in Tibet. The monks were kind and supportive, helping me adjust to my new life. My daily routine transformed from collecting wood to engaging in rigorous studies, playing dialectical debates with friends, and reading heavy books of prayers. The morning sound of chickens was replaced by the prayers of the elders. My dream of studying evolved into learning the Tibetan script, starting with the letter 'KAA.'

I woke up at 6 a.m. every day, starting with prayers and attending classes until 12 p.m., with breaks in between. I would then study until midnight. Studying for me extended beyond traditional subjects like mathematics and science. It involved sleepless nights and early mornings dedicated to memorizing scriptures. This rigorous discipline shaped me into the person I am today, instilling in me a deep sense of responsibility to preserve Tibetan culture, language, and identity.

Now, at the age of 32, I reflect on my journey with a mixture of pride and longing. My life in India has been filled with memories of spiritual growth and cultural preservation. Yet, as a Tibetan who has never seen his own country, I harbour a deep desire to return home. I dream of one day standing in front of the Potala Palace, a symbol of my heritage and identity.

My journey from a small village on the Tibetan border to a monastery in South India is a testament to my resilience and dedication. Despite the challenges and cultural shocks, I have grown into a person committed to my faith and heritage. My story is one of hope, perseverance, and an unwavering connection to my Tibetan roots, with a dream of one day returning to my homeland.

Interview: Tenzin Rangdol | Intern

 "Our friendship began with simple snacks and grew into an unbreakable bond. 💫

Failure is often seen as a pillar of success, but for us, it is friendship that truly makes us successful. Success is not just about achievements; it's about growing together as individuals and shaping who we are.

Many people might think friendship is all about being together, gossiping, sharing, and hanging out. For us, though, it is much more—a blessing and a bond as strong as sisters from another mother. Our world might be different from others, but it all comes back to where we met: the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV).

We met when we were just 10 years old in a small room at Upper TCV, sharing the simple snacks we could afford, like Alu Puri. We never thought that sharing these moments would lead to the deep friendship we have now.

We are eight girls who later named our group MC, a name derived from others' perspectives of us. MC can stand for whatever you wish to say. Our members are Tsering Dolma, Pema Yangdon, Tenzin Pema, Kelsang Dolkar, Tenzin Chime, Tenzin Choezom, Tenzin Choeyni, and Yeshi Dolkar.

During the pandemic, we were moved to a hostel, where our friendships truly grew. It was a year when every country in the world suffered from immense loss and hardship, but we found comfort in each other. We shared our sorrows in the bedroom, hugging each other and feeling grateful to have one another by our sides.

After Class 10, we faced the challenge of choosing a stream for our next steps in our careers. Fortunately, we all ended up in the same school. This continuity allowed us to build up our connections, as in a new environment, the most comforting thing is having familiar faces around.

The next two years flew by in the blink of an eye. We balanced our studies with having fun, making new friends, and creating lasting memories. The challenges we hardly noticed as time passed, and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye.

However, our goodbyes were never meant to be permanent. We promised each other that we would meet again and continue making memories well into our 20s. Today, as we look back at our pictures and reminisce about the past, we reflect not only on our academic achievements but also on the invaluable life lessons we learned.

Growing up in a Tibetan school, the greatest gift we received was our friendship and the life lessons that came with it. Our bond has been a source of strength and joy, guiding us through the toughest times and enriching our lives beyond measure.

Our friendship taught us resilience, compassion, and the importance of standing by one another.

As we move forward in our lives, we carry the spirit of our friendship with us, knowing that no matter where life takes us, we will always have a special bond that keeps us connected. The memories we created and the lessons we learned at the Tibetan Children’s Village will forever be a part of who we are, reminding us that true success lies in the strength of our friendships and the love we share.

#Storiesoftibetans #ForeverFriends #TCVJourney"

Interview: Rangdol | Intern | Dharamshala

]My name is Sonam Choedon, and this is my journey into exile. I was born in a small village called Namgring in Tibet, surrounded by snow mountains and an ocean that holds a special place in my heart. Namgring is my true home, a place I grew up and dream of returning to someday.

Though there was a school in Namgring, my parents decided to send me into exile to study Tibetan, as we were not allowed to do so in Tibet. I was excited about the new opportunity until the day came when I had to leave. Saying goodbye to the snow-capped mountains and the place I called home was the hardest thing I did in 2009.

It was late winter when my family made the difficult decision to send me into exile. The most challenging farewell was with my family, as I was the only one leaving for India. That night, my father took me to a nearby village called Nyalam, carrying a heavy load of my belongings and some food for the journey. It was just the two of us, without my siblings or mom. As we reached Nyalam, tension grew when we saw the army from a distance.

Frightened by the thought that the Chinese police might catch us, I could hardly speak to my father. Suddenly, a car came by, and without saying goodbye to him, I left for India. From Nyalam, I continued the journey with a few of my relatives. We travelled through mountains and faced many tense moments, but we finally reached India safely.

Looking back from 2009 to 2024, I feel very blessed to be in exile, but I have more regret for not being able to see my own country and people. Though I have adapted to life in India, I often miss my hometown and the people in Tibet. My biggest wish is to return to Tibet with the knowledge I gain from Sara and to share it with the Tibetans there.

With all the challenges, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had and remain hopeful for the future. Despite the hardships and the longing for my homeland, I find strength in the hope of one day returning to Tibet, sharing the knowledge and experiences I have gained during my time in exile.

Interview by Tenzin Rangdol