Tibet Oral History Project: Interview with Keotsang Tulku Jamphel Yeshi on 12/23/2013

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: Keotsang Tulku Jamphel Yeshi was born in Lhoka in Nethong District of Utsang Province. He describes Lhokha as a very large area with a population of around 10,000. His family engaged in farming as well as raising animals. He was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous Keotsang Rinpoche at the age of 2. He recounts his migration to Lhasa to his own monastery called Keotsang Ritoe and the role of his teacher and the chanzo 'business manager.' He spent his time memorizing scriptures and was disciplined by beatings if he did not study well. As a teenager Keotsang Tulku Jamphel Yeshi went to Sera Monastery near Lhasa to study and practice debating. He witnessed the initial period of the Chinese occupation when they claimed to come to liberate Tibet and develop it. He witnessed the bombing of Sera Monastery and Norbulingka and the uprising in Lhasa. He and his teachers attempted to escape but were eventually arrested by the Chinese. Keotsang Tulku Jamphel Yeshi suffered tremendously having to undergo thamzing 'struggle sessions' and 17 years in prison followed by three years of hard labor. He narrates in detail about the suffering prisoners underwent like starvation, torture, hard labor and political reeducation.