I was stunned. My friend at work told me about the self-immolation happening in Tibet. I was browsing the news on CNN because of another breaking news on North Korea and came across the plight of Tibetans.
I admit I haven't been paying much attention on current events. I was not as involved in the news as I was before in my university days. I thought there were only bad news that would leave people discouraged and disheartened. Now, I realized living and knowing is not about us anymore, it's about how we can voice out the pain and agony of those who can't shout and tell the world of their sufferings.
Having born in a democratic country, I am grateful to God for the freedom to live life just as we want it. Unlike those in other places such as Tibet, they are protesting on their right to live as citizens of their homeland. Invaders have destroyed their shrines and monasteries. Political prisoners are tortured and their natural resources exploited.
What is heartbreaking is the desperation of children. There are teenagers taking part of the protests, some injuring themselves as they heed justice and freedom. Teenagers in our country enjoy lavish gadgets and lifestyles Tibetan teenagers just dream of.
They see, feel and experience the threat to eradicate their culture and heritage. Imagine living in your country where your own flag and national anthem are banned. Children are beaten, tortured, improsined and killed because of their awareness of the life they are now living.
A sudden increase in protests and self-immolations have been signs of their cry for help. All I can do now is help their voices go across this country and the nations of the world. I am still a believer. I believe in the power we have in us. I believe in hope that is God-given and I pray for peace in Tibet.
I hope that everytime I am tempted to complain and whine on petty things, I see their images in my head and remember there is so much more to life than superficial vanity. I want to hope for them and pray for more people that they will soon enjoy life to the fullest just as God intended it to be for all of us.
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Free Tibet
"Kunchoek Phelgay, a monk, set fire to himself an hour later in front of Tragtsang Lhamo Kirti Monastery's assembly hall in Ngaba, Eastern Tibet. He died at the scene and his body is in the monastery where monks are praying for him."
