Name: Tenzin Namgyal
(Alias: Yes)
Gender: Male
Interview Age: 75
Date of Birth: 1935
Birthplace: Lhasa Shol, Utsang, Tibet
Year Left Tibet: 1959
Profession: Monk
Monk/Nun: Currently
Political Prisoner: No
Interview No.: 19M
Date: 2010-04-13
Language: Tibetan
Location: Doeguling Settlement, Mundgod, Karnataka, India
Categories: Resistance and Revolution
Keywords: astrology, childhood memories, Chinese army -- invasion by , Chushi Gangdrug guerrillas, education, escape experiences, March 10th Uprising, monastic life, Utsang
Summary:
Tenzin Namgyal attended school at Shol in Lhasa for two years where he learned basic reading and writing. Then he joined the Mentsekhang 'Medical Center' and studied astrology for nine years. He talks about the two forms of astrology called kartse and nagtse, which had their uses in the daily life predicting auspicious dates and marriage compatibility.
Tenzin Namgyal decided to leave his studies and join a monastery because two of his brothers were already monks and his mother thought it would be better life for him. He became a monk at the age of 20 at Gaden Monastery and describes the daily routine. He explains that some monks faced the difficulties due to the lack of food because they were too far from home to receive enough rations from family and had to go work in the fields.
Tenzin Namgyal depicts the turmoil in Lhasa in 1959 when thousands of Tibetan people gathered to protect His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The event culminated in the stoning to death of a Tibetan man believed to be a Chinese informer, which his mother witnessed. Tenzin Namgyal continues his story with his leaving the monastery and joining the guerrillas of the Chushi Gangdrug [Defend Tibet Volunteer Force]. Despite several encounters his unit had with Chinese soldiers, he was able to reach Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India through the Mangola Pass.
Interview Team:
- Marcella Adamski (Interviewer)
- Tenzin Yangchen (Interpreter)
- Pema Tashi (Videographer)
