By Emily Kretschmer
Note: An Annotated Bibliography follows the text of this case study. It contains sources referenced in the text, as well as sources which may be of interest to readers who wish to learn more about the Dalai Lama and Tibet.
Introduction to the Case Study Project
One day as I was Web surfing in conjunction with blogging, I happened to land on the 14th Dalai Lama’s Web site. At first I thought the Web site was a blog; it turns out it wasn’t. However, that didn’t make it any less surprising to find the Dalai Lama on the Web, since on the Web site I found links to the Dalai Lama on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, too.
I’ve been as keen as the next person on the Dalai Lama over the years. I remember his rise in popularity as occurring during the 1990s, primarily. And, even though the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people has become a sort of global celebrity over the ensuing years, I still think of him primarily as one of the most important, if not the most important Buddhist monk alive today.
After all, to the Tibetan people, and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, he’s the reincarnation of a long line of Dalai Lamas, who are closely related to the Buddha himself—that is, not by lineage exactly, but because they represent the Bodhisatva, or embodiment of compassion. As Bodhisattvas, the Dalai Lamas are the enlightened ones who wouldn’t have to be reincarnated but who choose to return to this world of suffering in order to serve humanity.
While they choose life on this earth, as Dalai Lamas, they are also chosen, or found by those who precede them as Dalai Lamas, or by their delegations. The 14th Dalai Lama was found by a delegation sent to the village in northeastern Tibet where he was born.
The 14th Dalai Lama & A Brief History of Tibet
The 14th Dalai Lama has himself written of his fascinating life journey, and scholars have written biographies, as well. You can find titles and page cover images of these books on the Dalai Lama’s Website. If you want a relatively quick version of his life story in the context of Tibet’s history, you can watch one of several well-made film documentaries online and/or available in libraries. They tell the story of how Tensin Gyatsu (a shortened version of his very long birth name) came to be the 14th Dalai Lama, the head lama, or teacher, a Buddhist monk, and the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. I won’t retell his story here. However, I will describe Tibet here because it’s necessary to conjecturing why and how the Dalai Lama is using social media.
Tibet lies just north of the Himalayas situated in an area as large as Europe in land mass and is bordered by India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), and several Chinese provinces. In contemporary terms, Tibet’s location is extremely important since it lies between India and China, two densely populated countries that are not only at odds with each other but also possess nuclear weapons.
Since the 17th century, when a Tibetan warrior king became a follower of Buddha, Buddhist religious teachings and practices have given shape to Tibetan society. Indeed, when Tibetan armies laid down weapons and became monks, they built thousands of monasteries, which became repositories for scholarly work based on the study of the human mind, which is central to Buddhism. A succession of Dalai Lamas was also begun.
The Chinese have, along with other Tibetan neighbors, had a presence in Tibet since the mid-13th century, but the Tibetan people have always retained their own language, religion, and culture. In 1950, however, the Communist Mao Tse Tung’s army invaded Tibet. The 14th Dalai Lama, then a young man, escaped through the Himalayas to northern India in order to prevent a massacre of Tibetans, many of whom would have fought to the death to protect him (Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion, 2003).
To this date, every year, several thousand Tibetans flee Tibet to live alongside the exiled Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India. The plight of the six million Tibetans who remain in Tibet is grim, as they have been relegated to second-class citizens in a society dominated by Chinese military, language, and industry.
Under deprived socioeconomic conditions, and in successive waves of Tibetan revolt and Chinese suppression, millions of Tibetans have died in their homeland. In 1960, an International Commission of Jurists formed by an independent human rights organization, concluded China was guilty of genocide in Tibet (Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion, 2003).
Since Mao Tse Tung’s “cultural revolution,” which began in 1966, six-thousand Tibetan monasteries were laid to ruins or occupied by Chinese military. Some became prisons for Tibetan monks. It is important to note that more than 85% of the budget of Tibet had supported monastic universities and 10% of the Tibetan population were monks (Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion, 2003). Buddhist education was as central to Tibetan culture as militarism is to other cultures.
Tibetans still living in Tibet are prohibited from practicing Tibetan Buddhism except in ways that do not threaten Chinese rule. Images of the Dalai Lama are forbidden. On a practical level, Tibetans have no access to decisions that determine the infrastructure of the society. So, most Tibetan people in Tibet have limited access to education, in Chinese language, or jobs, except service jobs, and so they also live in poverty.
The Chinese “liberation” of Tibet fractured but did not completely break Tibetan society, and this is undoubtedly due to the relentless struggle of the Tibetan people and its leadership to retain cultural identity in exile.
Three Nagging Questions I Had About the Dalai Lama & Social Media
Based upon a brief description of the Tibetan situation, the reasons for the Dalai Lama’s presence online may seem apparent. However, when at first I came upon the Dalai Lama online, I could only think of it as paradoxical. After all, the Dalai Lama represents centuries of Tibetan tradition in that he is revered as the reincarnation of a long succession of Dalai Lamas. The contrast between a longheld tradition based in faith and the Dalai Lama’s use of the relatively recent technology of digital social media fascinated and puzzled me. I did know a little about the Dalai Lama’s interest in the scientific and his penchant for things mechanical, such as clocks and watches. Still, I could not wrap my mind around the the Dalai Lama on Facebook and Twitter. Several questions nagged at me.
Is that really the Dalai Lama online?
How did he get started in social media? Who influenced him?
What is he using social media for?
Is that really the Dalai Lama online? I’ve been pretty sure from the git-go that it is the Dalai Lama because the Dalai Lama Web site is definitely designed and run by professionals and both the Facebook and Twitter sites are verified.
That doesn’t mean I think the Dalai Lama is producing the content by himself. I’ve been about 99.95% sure he isn’t, and my findings fairly corroborate my thinking. The thoughts and words are his alright, but as the leader of an entire nation in exile, he has the demanding schedule of a head of state and religious leader. It is commonly known he also meditates six hours a day, as well. Most heads of state—even those who aren’t also top Buddhist monks—have people who perform public relations. So it is I surmise that for the most part his closest team members take care of his Website, his Facebook page, and his Twitter account, with his approvals.
How did he get started in social media? Who influenced him? I guess at some point or other in the past I realized that the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), which is the Tibetan governing body the Dalai Lama closely works with, and which also is located in Dharamsala, had a Web site—but I’d quite forgotten. I was reminded when my research led me back to the official Web site of the CTA. A close look reveals just how developed and well-organized the CTA is. Among its many divisions are a Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), as well as a Computing Resources Center. Put those two together and naturally, these days, you get digital media. So, it’s no surprise the CTA also created a WebTV station that launched in 2006, the primary purpose of which is to inform Tibetans and the international public of conditions inside Tibet (Tibet Online TV, 2006).
In addition, the Dalai Lama’s own Website appears to have been created within the CTA’s Department of Information and International Relations. It is different from the CTA’s Web site in that it contains information specifically about the Dalai Lama, his teachings, and his comings and goings. The Dalai Lama’s Web site appears to have more of a social media function than the CTA institutional Website. Although the CTA also has a Facebook link, the CTA is a governmental body. The Dalai Lama not only has a personal Facebook page, his Website also has links to his YouTube channel and Twitter site, all of which permit interaction with the Dalai Lama’s office.
The Dalai Lama started using these forms of social media in February and March, 2010, which is relatively recent since the CTA has been online since the beginning of the millennium. These dates are interesting in historical context since the Dalai Lama’s use of media can easily be traced back to 1989, when he won the Nobel Peace Prize, and 1998 and 1999, when several important documentaries came out. These show evidence that throughout the 1990s the Dalai Lama was already becoming a celebrity of sorts. He gained followers among activists who rallied behind the Tibetan cause, some of whom were in the entertainment limelight—people like Susan Sarandon and Harrison Ford, for example. He also gained traction as a Buddhist spiritual leader and teacher of European and American Buddhists.
The plight of the Tibetan people and the exiled Dalai Lama became cause célèbre in the media down through the years, and while such publicity may not hold appeal for a Buddhist monk, media attention became a vehicle for raising awareness about the Tibetan condition. The Dalai Lama apparently has been amenable to capturing the attention of the world by using the media to do so. I would conjecture that the idea of utilizing social media had probably been percolating since the inception of social media itself. I suppose the Dalai Lama, the CTA and their Computing Resources Center received advice and encouragement to engage in social media from prominent international activists, such as NGO directors, in addition to social media developers.
The New York Times, Mashable, and readwriteweb all reported in February, 2010, that Evan Williams, creator of Blogger and Twitter, and currently CEO of Twitter, may have stimulated the Dalai Lama’s decision to get a Twitter account. Here is the text of a tweet from “Ev” in which he writes he “pitched” Twitter to the Dalai Lama: “Met the Dalai Lama today in LA. Pitched him on using Twitter. He laughed. 1:15 AM Feb 22nd via Web.” (Dalai Lama Joins Twitter, 2010). I suppose it’s no coincidence, though, that the Dalai Lama did not sign up only for Twitter. He also went online at Facebook and YouTube in March, 2010.
What is he using social media for?
The NUTS & BOLTS of the Dalai Lama’s Social Media Presence (as of July, 2010)
A Description of the Dalai Lama’s Website (as of July 17, 2010)
The homepage prominently features large alternating photographs depicting recent important events in the life and social justice actions of the Dalai Lama, such as the recent 75th birthday celebration in Dharamsala; participation in international social justice symposiums; educational programs for youth and children; and interviews with media. The photographs, announcements, and captions provide links into the Web site to pages that offer further information. The site features ample Webcast (video) and photography, in addition to text.
A horizontal banner spans the top of the homepage and offers links to: Homepage, Schedule, News, Photo Gallery, Video & Audio, Messages, Teachings, The Dalai Lama, The Trust, The Office.
The homepage also includes three columns of information:
a welcome message at the bottom of which are large icons offering links to Facebook, twitter, and YouTube!
links to reports of social action activities of the Dalai Lama, as well as links to other pages featuring reports and linked archives of earlier reports
and details pertaining to the Dalai Lama’s upcoming schedule.
At the bottom of the homepage are horizontal bars featuring RSS feeds to book descriptions; a gallery of photo albums; and selected Webcasts (via YouTube).
At the very bottom of the page are listed in columns small text links to: Messages on Buddhism, Compassion, Environment, and more; Information concerning the Dalai Lama’s teachings; Information about the Dalai Lama, including biographical information; and finally, a link to information concerning his office, including audience with the Dalai Lama, media interviews, submitting invitations, and contacting the Dalai Lama.
The links within and at the bottom of the homepage lead to many additional pages, including, but not limited to, a separate page dedicated to detailed accounting of the Dalai Lama’s schedule of travel and activities. It is up-to-date and spans from July 2010 to January 2011. Another separate page, or actually eleven pages, are dedicated to titles, book covers, and very brief descriptions of 87 books written by the Dalai Lama, or written in cooperation with the Dalai Lama. Other pages linked to the homepage offer information on Tibetan history and current conditions; Tibetan Buddhism and its practices; pressing social issues, and more.
The Web site graphics are outstanding. The site uses traditional Tibetan colors, maroon and gold primarily. A beautifully muted background sketch/painting of the holy palace at Lhasa spans the bottom of the screen. At the top of the screen a banner headline in English and Tibetan script reads: His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet and includes a portrait of the easily recognizable Dalai Lama.
A copyright notice can be found in the extreme bottom right hand corner: All Content Copyright @ The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Overall, the homepage is replete with information and links, well-organized in a sort of recursive pattern in which one could be guided to information both easily and repeatedly by clicking on links. This is professionally designed and implemented.
A Description of the Dalai Lama’s Facebook page (as of July 17, 2010)
Seven-hundred thousand and five hundred people “liked” the Dalai Lama’s Facebook page at the time I conducted this research.
The Dalai Lama’s Facebook page offers several types of interwoven Wall posts. Some messages inform followers of the Dalai Lama’s activities, including his travels. Some messages are philosophical in nature and convey Buddhist teachings. Some Wall posts include historical or contemporary photos, or links to videos on the Dalai Lama’s YouTube site. Some Wall posts offer condolences, such as those to the Polish people when their president and his cabinet were killed in a tragic plane crash. Some Wall posts offer observations on the cause of social problems and some advocate a nonviolent approach, through dialogue, to conflict resolution. Soon after the Dalai Lama initiated his Facebook page, he conveyed his three principle commitments: compassion, religious tolerance, and Tibetan freedom.
The first Wall post was made on March 4, 2010, and simply announced the Dalai Lama had a Facebook page. It received thumbs up from 157 people and comments from 47 people. The following wall post received feedback from 927 people (829 people like and 98 comments).
The most recent wall post was made 11 hours ago on July 16, 2010. It received thumbs up from 8,885 people and 454 comments. A wall post from July 15, 2010, received thumbs up from 16,482 people and 860 comments.
It is interesting to note that the posts that receive the most comments from followers are those that are philosophical in nature; they seem to stimulate thought. For example, a brief statement regarding the human mind and spiritual practice elicits 10,000 comments, and a statement about compassion stimulates 14,000 comments.
It is also interesting to note that the numbers of comments increase dramatically on the heels of a trip. For example, there is a sudden jump in follower comments after teachings in Delhi, India, and again after the Dalai Lama’s trip to Japan to participate in a conference and deliver a speech. We can conclude that the word gets around that the Dalai Lama is on Facebook and YouTube.
There are also 327 discussion forums ongoing among the Dalai Lama’s followers on the Dalai Lama’s Facebook page. The Dalai Lama does not participate in these discussion forums. Topics range from the sublime to the ridiculous. Some discussion forums take on popular psychological themes, such as how to cope with a breakup. Some discussion forums take the form of dialectical philosophical discussions in the Buddhist tradition.
Embedded video: Facebook contains links to YouTube videos and features recordings that were originally live Webcasts from the Dalai Lama’s Web site, though live Webcasts are fewer in number. The Dalai Lama has used live Webcasts on particular occasions, such as while leading a prayer for Tibetan earthquake victims during spring 2010, or upon the commemoration of the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan uprising that precipitated Tibetan exile. A particular conversation with a neuroscientist on “healthy minds” was apparently deemed important enough to merit a live Webcast.
A Description of the Dalai Lama’s YouTube channel (as of July 22, 2010)
The Dalai Lama established his YouTube channel on March 12, 2010. At the time of my research the Dalai Lama’s YouTube channel had 14,127 channel views, with 97, 423 total upload views. The Dalai Lama’s channel features a list of 519 subscribers and 33 channel comments. The Dalai Lama’s channel shows recent administrative updates as well as a “favorite” video—Our Common Humanity: The Dalai Lama in Yokohama. The channel was updated as recently as 2 days before my access date.
The Dalai Lama’s YouTube channel hosts some 80 uploaded videos, or several hundred hours of videotaped recordings of interviews, speeches, and participation in conferences and on panels, as well as teachings and conversations with students. It contains some thirty-four hours of the Zurich XVIII Mind & Life Symposium alone.
The YouTube Channel Playlists include: Public Talks, Interviews, Teachings, Dialogues & Panels, Addresses & Speeches, Science & Buddhism, Short Clips, Press Conferences, and Special Events.
Thematically, the videos range from teachings and discussions on the human mind to best spiritual practices to discussions of social issues, including truth in media, ethics in business, destruction of the environment, and the green revolution. There is also at least one documentary, produced in India, on the life of the Dalai Lama and the history of Tibet.
A Description of the Dalai Lama’s Twitter site (as of July 21, 2010)
In February of 2010, the Dalai Lama signed up for his own Twitter account. On Twitter the Dalai Lama has over 500,000 individual followers and 25,000 lists of followers. The Dalai Lama’s account is not following any other Twitter accounts.
At the time of conducting this research, the Dalai Lama’s tweets appear primarily to be sayings, or quotes from his writings that are philosophical in nature, reflective of Buddhist belief and practice, expressing wisdom and conveying consolation to human beings everywhere. The Twitter account also has carried links to online posts at the Dalai Lama’s Website and YouTube channel.
The Dalai Lama has also cooperated to use Twitter to reach Chinese sympathizers. The New York Times reported that in May of 2010, the Dalai Lama met with a Chinese writer from Beijing, Wang Lixiong, and a translator, in a New York Hotel, where they conducted an hour-long Twitter session with 8,000 some participants from within China via Mr. Wang’s Twitter account. Twitter is blocked in China by the Chinese government; however, some Chinese people find ways to circumvent the block and/or access Twitter through other applications (China: Dalai Lama Tweets, 2010). According to Mashable, this event was preceded by polling several thousand interested Chinese people who were asked to submit questions to the Dalai Lama (Dalai Lama Uses Twitter to Circumvent Chinese Government, 2010).
An Analysis of the Dalai Lama’s Use of Social Media: Its Functions, Purpose, and Audience
The Dalai Lama’s Web Site
What functions, or purposes, does the Dalai Lama’s Web site fulfill?
The Web site provides information about the religious beliefs, principles, and practice; social justice activities and programs; the Dalai Lama Trust; as well as about the Dalai Lama himself.
The site promotes teachings, tours, and books.
The site furthers the Buddhist tradition of education toward enlightenment and social justice.
The site provides up-to-date information on the Dalai Lama’s travels.
How does the Web site fulfill these purposes?
The site is accessible and understandable to people the world over who have Internet access.
The professional design, organization, and upkeep of this site, that offers up-to-date accurate information, lends authority and credibility to the Office of the Dalai Lama, and in that way it fulfills a necessary political purpose.
Who is the Web site for?
The site is for followers, including Tibetans and others the world over, including in the U.S. and in China, in particular, where the Dalai Lama wants to find empathetic supporters for the liberation of Tibet.
The site is for non-followers who are seeking information, such as students the world over, and for non-followers who may come upon it fortuitously.
The Dalai Lama’s Facebook page
What functions, or purposes, does the Dalai Lama’s Facebook page fulfill?
The Facebook page is a “friendlier” site that displays daily updates on:
religious teachings in the form of messages from the Dalai Lama that are posted to his Wall;
notes about social justice activities the Dalai Lama participates in;
the Dalai Lama’s whereabouts, which includes information about upcoming tours, including speaking engagements and teachings;
The Facebook page also offers opportunities for interaction:
The Facebook furthers the Buddhist tradition of debate by offering opportunities to engage in discussion forums.
The personal nature of and daily updates on this site contribute to creating one-on-one and group relationships not only with the Dalai Lama but also among followers.
How does the Facebook page fulfill these purposes?
The site is accessible and understandable to people the world over who have Internet access.
Anyone can “like” and therefore follow the Dalai Lama’s Facebook page, and moreover, anyone can comment on the Dalai Lama’s Wall posts. It is interesting to note that in particular many people (as many as 10,000 and more) will comment on the Dalai Lama’s brief teachings. Many people also profess their love and caring for the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people in comments on the Dalai Lama’s Facebook page.
Anyone can create and participate in discussions on the Discussion Forum page. Through these opportunities to comment on posts and participate in discussion forums the Facebook page is interactive.
Who is the Facebook page for?
It is for followers, especially, including Tibetans and other people the world over, including in the U.S. and in China, in particular, where the Dalai Lama wants to find empathetic supporters for the liberation of Tibet.
It is also for non-followers who are seeking information, such as students the world over, and for non-followers who may come upon it fortuitously.
The Dalai Lama’s YouTube channel
What functions does the Dalai Lama’s YouTube channel fulfill?
The YouTube channel also provides information about Buddhist religious beliefs, principles, and practice; social justice activities and programs; as well as about the Dalai Lama himself, all in the form of digital or digitized video interviews, speeches and presentations, and other forms, such as documentaries and video essays.
The YouTube channel offers Buddhist teachings on a one-to-one or virtual face-to-face basis through the use of video and can also be used in groups. The YouTube channel therefore furthers the Buddhist tradition of education toward enlightenment and social justice.
The professional design, organization, the selection of both archival and current videos on this site contributes to the Dalai Lama’s extensive reach as an educational practitioner and a spiritual leader.
How does the YouTube Channel fulfill these purposes?
The site is accessible and understandable to people the world over who have Internet access.
The site does not require the viewer to be able to read. However, many of the videos are in English with some translation from Tibetan to English as the Dalai Lama switches back and forth between languages.
Who is the YouTube channel for?
It is for followers, including Tibetans and other people the world over, including in the U.S. and in China, in particular, where the Dalai Lama wants to find empathetic supporters for the liberation of Tibet.
It is for nonfollowers who may be students performing research and for nonfollowers who may happen upon the channel fortuitously.
The Dalai Lama’s Twitter site
What functions does the Dalai Lama’s Twitter site fulfill?
The Twitter site now provides religious sayings; updates on social justice activities; updates on postings to the Website or YouTube site; and Twitter did also recently provide the opportunity for the Dalai Lama to engage in real time communication with thousands of Tibetan sympathizers in China.
The Twitter site also furthers the Buddhist tradition of education toward enlightenment and social justice by offering a medium for short, frequent messages about Buddhist principles, as well as updates on the Dalai Lama’s activities.
The Twitter site also offers the Dalai Lama a medium for sharing short, frequent messages encouraging people to maintain an attitude of hope and caring.
Frequent Twitter updates afford the Dalai Lama opportunity to give followers the sense that he is in constant contact with them.
How does the Twitter site fulfill these purposes?
The site is accessible and understandable to people the world over who have access to Twitter on the Web or by phone.
Who is the Twitter site for?
It is for followers, including Tibetans and other people the world over, including in the U.S. and in China, in particular, where the Dalai Lama wants to find empathetic supporters for the liberation of Tibet.
It is for nonfollowers who may be students doing research or may find the Twitter site fortuitously.
Concluding Thoughts on the 14th Dalai Lama’s Use of Social Media
The Dalai Lama has used traditional media for decades to fulfill his purpose of serving the Tibetan people as head spiritual teacher and leader and bringing awareness to their plight. In addition, he has advocated for a worldwide ethical social revolution that would bring social justice not only to Tibetans but to others worldwide.
In the face of grave injustice to himself and his own people, the Dalai Lama has relentlessly promoted the use of dialogue as a nonviolent means to conflict resolution. He continues to work to instill hope and optimism that Tibetans will someday come home to Tibet and live in freedom.
The Dalai Lama offers Buddhist teachings to a worldwide audience not in order to spread Buddhism, but rather to foster further understanding of Buddhist beliefs and practices. This is a pathway to increasing both religious tolerance and compassion, which is also the pathway to bringing the Tibetan people home to Tibet.
In the face of much worldwide militarism, genocide, the oppression of indigenous survivors, and the heavy commercialization spurred on by global trade during the twentieth century, certain strong voices have emerged to decry the violent means by which nations and leaders aggress and assert power and control. The 14th Dalai Lama is one of those strong voices that have advocated nonviolence. The Dalai Lama has asserted himself through nonviolent means to represent the Tibetan people so that they do not get lost in the 20th and 21st century fracas.
Will the Dalai Lama’s participation in the 21st century’s social media revolution contribute to an ethical social revolution in the U.S. and China that will bring the Tibetan people home to Tibet? I don’t know. I think though that the Dalai Lama is a committed practitioner of religious principles rooted in ethical behavior, that he is the bearer of not only social but sacred responsibility, and that using social media is not only the right thing but also an effective thing for him to do.
An Annotated Bibliography:
The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet: Promoting a Social Revolution of Ethics and Compassion through the 21st Century’s Social Media Revolution
Primary Sources
Social Media
Dalai Lama: the official Facebook page, est. Mar 2010, Accessed online, July, 2010. http://www.facebook.com/DalaiLama
This is the verified, active Facebook page of the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. The page has in excess of 700,000 followers.
Dalai Lama on YouTube, est. Mar 2010, Accessed online, July, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/dalailama
The Dalai Lama’s official YouTube channel offers more than several hundred hours of recorded talks and interviews on a variety of topics, from Buddhism to politics to environmentalism to teachings on how to be happy in the face of suffering.
Dalai Lama on Twitter, est. Mar 2010, Accessed online, July, 2010. http://twitter.com/dalailama
The Dalai Lama tweets messages that offer guidance to the perplexed, console the troubled human, and that link to events and programs described on his Website.
Websites
TibetNet, The Official Website of the Central Tibetan Administration Department of Information and International Relations, est. 2000, Dharamsala, India. Accessed online, July, 2010. http://www.tibet.net/en/index.php
The official Website of the CTA was established in 2000 by the Tibetan Computing Resource Center, part of the Central Tibetan Administration. TibetNet provides official up-to-date and archived information concerning Tibet and Tibetans, as well as links to official and related publications and Websites.
Tibet Online TV, a CTA WebTV Station, Central Tibetan Administration Department of Information and International Relations, est. Aug 3, 2006, Dharamsala, India. Accessed online, July 2010. http://www.tibetonline.tv/
The DIIR, part of the Tibetan Administration exiled in Dharamsala, established a WebTV station for the purpose of informing Tibetans and the international public on conditions inside Tibet.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, The Official Website of the 14th Dalai Lama, est. Mar 2010, Central Tibetan Administration Department of Information and International Relations, Accessed online, July 2010. http://www.dalailama.com/
This is the official Website of the Dalai Lama. On it are links to the official Facebook page, the YouTube channel, and the Twitter site of the Dalai Lama.
Secondary Sources
Digital Media online
China: Dalai Lama Tweets. New York Times. 22 May 2010: A5(L). General Reference Center Gold. Web. Accessed MNSU Memorial Library Database, July 20, 2010.
This short article appears in the World Briefing Asia section of the New York Times, under China. The Dalai Lama met with Chinese writer Wang Lixiong in New York and through an interpreter they tweeted with Chinese citizen sympathizers about the Tibetan cause. Twitter is blocked in China, but activists especially find a way to access it. Mr. Wang’s Twitter feed had 8,000+ followers for the Dalai Lama’s question answer session.
Dalai Lama Uses Twitter to Circumvent Chinese Government, by Jennifer Grove, Mashable online, May 21, 2010, Accessed online July 20, 2010, http://mashable.com/2010/05/21/dalai-lama-twitter-chat/#
This brief article reported that the Wang Lixiong had solicited questions from several thousand Chinese using Twitter prior to the Twitter session in which the Dalai Lama answered questions (referred to above).
Dalai Lama Joins Twitter—This Time It’s Verified, by Marshall Kirkpatrick, readwriteweb online, Feb 22, 2010, Accessed online July 20, 2010, http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/
A short article reported that Twitter verified the Dalai Lama’s Twitter account was authentic, with a mention of Evans William’s tweet concerning “pitching” Twitter to the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama At Home in Exile. The Digital Journalist. Issue 9906. Accessed online July 19, 2010, http://www.digitaljournalist.org/issue9906/lama01.htm
This issue of the online digital media journal features photographs from David Turnley’s video essay Dalai Lama At Home in Exile. Included are David Turnley’s audio commentaries about the Dalai Lama and the making of the video essay.
Video and DVD Documentaries
Dalai Lama: At Home in Exile, Digital Video Essay by David Turnley, 1998. Broadcast as a CNN Perspectives Documentary, 2001. Accessed: personal videotape copy of 2001 CNN broadcast, July, 2010.
The award-winning journalist/photographer David Turnely turned to digital video when the demand for hard news coverage of war and violence waned in the U.S. One result is this important early digital video essay that takes a close-up look at the life, religious practice, and thought of the Dalai Lama.
Ethics and the World Crisis: A Dialogue with the Dalai Lama, DVD, Directed by Steven Lawrence and Stephen Olsson. LINK TV and Tibet House, U.S., 2004. Accessed MNSU Memorial Library, July, 2010.
This excellent DVD records highlights of a 1999 Town Hall Forum in which accomplished and well-known experts in Media, Business, Politics, and Environmentalism discuss ethics and contemporary global issues with the Dalai Lama.
Ocean of Wisdom—The Life of the Dalai Lama, Webcast, Produced by Dooharshan TV, India. Accessed Dalai Lama on YouTube, July, 2010. http://www.youtube.com/user/gyalwarinpoche#p/
The most frequently viewed video on the Dalai Lama’s YouTube channel during the week and month of my research, this documentary includes historical photos and film footage from the Dalai Lama’s life. The half-hour video documentary offers an historical view of Tibet and portrays the Dalai Lama in exile in Dharamsala, India.
Tibet: Cry of the Snow Lion, DVD, Directed by Tom Peosay. Earthworks Films/Zambuling Pictures, Inc., 2003. Accessed MNSU Memorial Library, July, 2010.
This 90 minute historical documentary offers a riveting study of the complex, tragic history of the mountain kingdom and people of Tibet. The film highlights the impact of the 20th century events on the Tibetan people and includes archival footage of Chinese suppression of Tibetan revolts.
