Tibet Oral History Project: Interview with Tashi Namgyal Dayag Bhu on 4/9/2015

The interpreter's English translation provided during this interview is potentially incomplete and/or inaccurate. If you are not fluent in Tibetan, please refer to the interview transcript for the complete and correct English translation. Read the interview transcript in English at http://tibetoralhistory.org/Interview...

** This interview about life in Tibet was conducted by the Tibet Oral History Project. This non-profit organization aims to preserve the history and culture of the Tibetan people by interviewing elderly Tibetan refugees about life in Tibet before and after the Chinese invasion. Learn more at http://www.TibetOralHistory.org.

** Interview Summary: Tashi Namgyal Dayag Bhu was born in 1950 in Derge, Kham. He describes in detail how the region of Derge was administered by a king and several advisors and ministers. Tashi Namgyal Dayag Bhu's father was one of the ministers. He explains the various duties the leaders performed for the welfare of the people along with the importance of education and ability in selecting a minister. As a child he was carefully watched over by two servants to ensure his safety and proper upbringing since he was to inherit the job of minister from his father. The Chinese came to Derge around 1953. His Holiness the Dalai Lama traveled through Derge on his visit to China, receiving a reception accorded by the rulers and people of Derge. His father also traveled to China as a delegate to the meeting. During his father's absence the Chinese assaulted his mother and uncle, took all of their valuables and then later demolished their house. The Panchen Lama advised Tashi Namgyal Dayag Bhu's father to leave Tibet soon. So his family along with 10 others fled on the pretext of going on a pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash. He describes the lengthy arduous journey to reach Nepal and the support they received from the King of Mustang upon arrival. In exile Tashi Namgyal Dayag Bhu served in many community organizations and came to learn about the formation of the Defend Tibet Volunteer Force and how some of the men were trained by the CIA in the United States.