the scars of exile

guest speakers today talked to us about the trek tibetans take over the himalayas... why they leave tibet, the technicalities of how to do it without being caught by the chinese, who is able to make the challenging trip, and what they go through once crossing the border (reception centers in nepal then india...dispersing them throughout new and unfamiliar environments in hopes for a better life). they showed us pictures of some people who have come to the reception center in dharamsala... worn sagging bodies of people who hid from the chinese during the day and trekked through the mountains at night...carrying elderly people and children along the way. most come frostbitten... one man arrived carrying two of his toes in his pocket (there were pictures of his feet, destroyed from the icy trek).
we later went to the dharamsala reception center, and saw tibetans who just arrived three days ago. emaciated children with blisters all over their feet, smiling and happy to be in the town of His Holiness... relieved to be among their people and to have escaped from the chinese and their genocide.
in the reception center, there is a wall plastered with pictures drawn by children who have arrived from tibet. they draw images of chinese soldiers burning, stabbing, beating, shooting the tibetans, monks, and nuns. the pictures are gorey. it took much strength to hold tears back looking at them... knowing that children drew them... knowing that children experienced them.
i hear these stories everyday while talking to these people... and i don't know what to do except thank the universe for india's welcoming nature and for all the sources that fund the sustainment of this peaceful culture.