About the Stories

These are the stories of Tibetan refugees of all ages as told to Khagyun volunteers. Most of the tellers were born in Tibet, and came to India or other lands after making the difficult decision to leave their home; others were born in exile. What we are recording and transcribing is oral history, or "Khagyun" in Tibetan.

Usually, those present at a recording session include the storyteller, an interviewer, and, if necessary, an interpreter. Often family members and young Khagyun volunteers are present too, adding subtly but powerfully to the quality of the stories being told. The presence of children or grandchildren of the older storytellers is especially rewarding as some hear of their elders’ experiences for the first time -- this is perhaps the best reason to make this effort. It is very touching to share in these stories, and to experience firsthand the transmission of profound human experience from one generation to the next.

We begin by simply asking the speaker to tell us his or her story. We ask questions if there seem to be inconsistencies or gaps, and encourage details if the subject is of particular cultural or religious interest. When the older people have finished, we usually ask them if there is anything they would like to say in general to younger Tibetans.

Because older people are often surprised that we want to know about their lives, they sometimes tell us the story of the flight of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is so near and dear to them. When this happens, we let them tell their version of his story, then gently steer them in a more personal direction. At recording sessions, we usually have a map of Tibet to help them remember geographical details and a box of tissues for the tears of remembrance and release that often fall from the eyes of the older people as they tell their stories.

Later, the stories are transcribed. After making a literal English transcription (at this point we lack the resources for Tibetan transcriptions), a simple process of editing eliminates basic mistakes or overly repetitious material and occasionally improves the chronological flow. We do not seek political elements, but neither do we remove them. That would be unthinkable since many of these people consider themselves to be political refugees. Finally, copies are printed and delivered to the storytellers and their families in a little binder with a "Khagyun" cover. Some stories are posted on the internet with the permission of the tellers.

At the suggestion of Lama Doboom Tulku, the director of Tibet House in Delhi, we are beginning to add "why?" to our "who, what, when, and where" questions. In this way we hope to begin to uncover the pattern of thought that underlies these experiences and bring more depth and historical significance to our work.

We are not the only people recording these stories and we are glad of that as there are more stories than it is possible to save. The wisdom and humanity of Tibetan culture is unique and precious; we cannot afford to lose it at this most difficult time in human history.

The stories are copyrighted by the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives in Dharamsala, India.