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Towards the last two months of my last visit to India in the spring of 2012, I encountered the Tibetan community in exile in India experiencing painful news of their people self-immolating in fire one after another in China-occupied Tibet. My experiences in the past visits in India (drawing a cremation site in Varanasi, documenting fire pits, cremation alters, and contemplating on life and death around fire) synchronized with this particular movement, an extreme way of ‘offering’ their bodies to ‘fire’ for asking freedom and peace.I could not help drawing large and small drawings as emotional response and with a sense of mourning.

After coming back to Vancouver, the self-immolation kept happening and I felt that my personal and professional task is not finished.

I have come back to India to continue to document and draw under the same theme. tomoyoihaya@hotmail.com

29 December 2012

crossing the border

Boarders are gone
Your Guru is going back and coming back
You can go home after so many years of struggles and pain
Reunite with your loved ones

Miraculous blue flowers in Jekhundo will be in full blossom

16 December 2012


I dedicate this to all who gave their lives for peace, freedom and happiness of others, who lost their lives by injustice and violence, and those who keep standing up for human dignity.

13 December 2012

Miraculous Blue flower bloomed in Jakhundo


A little blue flower bloomed on the field of Jekhund
As if a miracle would happen

we wanted to appreciate that little beautiful flower
and remember our beloved and honoured one

You have taken away many lives, our land and our freedom to speak and believe in our belief for so many years.

you even do not give us freedom to appreciate the beauty of this little thing, a noble blue soul that came out to this land of suffering?
And freedom to pray for the ones who sacrificed their lives for us?

Little blue flowers and white scarves(Kathak in Tibetan, used for offering or blessing) are for peace, not like your guns

9 December 2012

For Bhenchen Kyi

For Bhenchen Kyi, 17 yrs old, who set herself on fire in Dokarmo, Tsekhog region, Rebkong, Amdo, on December 9 2012.

You set yourself on fire on green pasture near your home, as if you turned into the soil of your motherland.  As you wished, your family and two thousand people gathered around to protect your body.  Blessing rain and snow fall on the mountains here in Dharamsala and we are sending you prayers, candle lights and lotus flowers.

8 December 2012

For Kongchok Phelgye and Pema Dorgee


December 8th, 2012.
For Kongchok Phelgye, 24 yrs old, a monk from Sumdo Monastery in Dzoega Region, Amdo.

For Pema Dorgee, 23 yrs old, a monk from Shitsang Monastery in Lucho region, Amdo.

5 December 2012

For Jigme Tsetan

For Jigme Tsetan, 30 yrs old.  He stabbed himself in his heart, he wrote 'Boe Rangzen ( Independence for Tibet)' with his blood on the wall, and again stabbed himself in the  heart to death.

3 December 2012

For Lobsang Gendun

December 3rd, 2012.
For Lobsang Gendun, 29 yr old monk, who self-immolated in Golog Pema Dzong, Amdo.  Engulfed in flames, he walked his hands clasped in prayers, raising slogans.  After hundreds of steps, he fell to the ground near a monument of a lotus flower.

2 December 2012

For Sungdue Kayb

December 2nd, 2012.

For Sungdue Kayb, a 17 yrs old father.  He self-immolated in Bora town, Sangchu, Labrang Tashikhyil region.  Circulated picture of him is on his horse, a green field is behind him.

Yesterday, the sunset sky here was full of rainbow colours and golden light was shining from the ridges of clouds. You are riding your white horse to that sky, in that blessing field of light.