Lodi Gyari facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lodi Gyari
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Lodi Gyari after the 9th round of dialogue with China, in 2010
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| Died | 29 October 2018  San Francisco |
Lodi Gyaltsen Gyari Rinpoche (born August 25, 1949 – died October 29, 2018) was an important Tibetan leader. People often called him Gyari Rinpoche. He was a politician and journalist who worked as the 14th Dalai Lama's special helper in the United States. After leaving Tibet in 1959, he also led the International Campaign for Tibet, an organization that supports the Tibetan people.
Contents
About Lodi Gyari's Life
His Early Years
Lodi Gyari was born in 1949 in a place called Nyarong in western China. His father and grandfather were important leaders in the Kham region of Tibet. In the 1950s, his family faced difficulties. His grandfather died while being held by the Chinese army.
Lodi Gyari had a brother, Pema Gyalpo Gyari [fr], and a sister, Dolma Gyari.
A Special Recognition
When Lodi Gyari was a child, he was recognized as a rinpoche. This means he was seen as a reincarnated Buddhist teacher or lama. He was trained in the monastic tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. He was believed to be the rebirth of a Buddhist master from Lumorap Monastery in Tibet.
In 1959, when he was still young, Lodi Gyari had to leave Tibet. He went to live in India as an exile.
Moving to America
In 1991, Lodi Gyari moved to the United States. He became a special helper for the Dalai Lama there. Later, in 1999, he became a citizen of the United States.
His Important Work
As an Activist and Journalist
In 1970, Lodi Gyari helped start the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC). This group worked to support young Tibetans. He became its president in 1975.
He understood that telling the world about Tibet was very important. So, he became the editor of a Tibetan language newspaper called Tibetan Freedom Press [fr]. He also helped start the Tibetan Review, which was the first English-language magazine about Tibet.
In 1973, Lodi Gyari traveled with the Dalai Lama on his first trip to Europe. He heard the Dalai Lama speak about important ideas like kindness and helping others. Lodi Gyari later became the president of the International Campaign for Tibet. This group works to protect the human rights and culture of the Tibetan people.
In Politics
In 1979, Lodi Gyari was elected to the Tibetan Parliament in Exile. This is the government that represents Tibetans living outside Tibet. At just 30 years old, he became the youngest president of this parliament.
He visited China in 1982 and 1984 as part of a group looking into the situation in Tibet.
As a Diplomat
In 1988, Lodi Gyari became like a foreign minister for the Tibetan Government in Exile. He was in charge of information and international relations.
He played a big role in bringing Tibet's situation back to the attention of the United Nations. After 25 years of silence, he helped the UN adopt a resolution about Tibet's status.
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Lodi Gyari was one of the main people chosen by the Dalai Lama to talk with China. These talks aimed to find a way forward for Tibet's future. He led nine rounds of discussions with China.
In 2012, Lodi Gyari and another envoy decided to step down from these talks. They felt frustrated because there wasn't enough progress with the Chinese government.
As a Professor
After leaving politics in 2014, Lodi Gyari became a researcher. He worked at Georgetown University and the Brookings Institution. He spent his later years writing his life story.
In 2014, he said he was still hopeful about Tibet's future. He remembered that Xi Zhongxun, the father of China's current leader Xi Jinping, had met the Dalai Lama in the 1950s. Lodi Gyari hoped that Xi Jinping might also have a positive view of Tibet.
Awards and Recognition
In 2012, the United States Senate honored Lodi Gyari. They praised his work as the Dalai Lama's special envoy and his efforts to support the rights of the Tibetan people.
His Passing
Lodi Gyari Rinpoche passed away on October 29, 2018, in San Francisco. He was 69 years old and had liver cancer. His body was taken to the Mindrolling Monastery in India for his funeral.
He left behind his wife, Dawa Chokyi, their six children, and five grandchildren. He also had his mother, four brothers, and three sisters.
See also
- Central Tibetan Administration
- History of Tibet (1950–present)
- Human rights of ethnic minorities in China
- Annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China
- Lama
- Protests and uprisings in Tibet since 1950
- Tibetan government in exile
- Tibetan independence movement
Images for kids
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The Dalai Lama arriving at Zurich Airport in October 1973. Gyari Rinpoche is left rear.
