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As Tibetan exiles in Nepal resume protests against China - halted out of respect for those who died in the Sichuan earthquake - Auckland's Tibetan Buddhists have instead been fundraising and offering prayers.
Last night, monks and nuns at New Zealand's oldest Tibetan centre, Dorje Chang in Avondale, hosted a charity dinner and prayer session for victims of China's worst disaster in 30 years, before their meeting with the Dalai Lama in Australia next week.
Tibetan monk Geshe Thupten Wangchen said the community here recognised the victims' deep suffering.
"People have lost their homes, loved ones and lives, and we cannot let politics get in the way of basic human compassion," he said. "They have some problems with the Chinese Government, but we have no issues with the Chinese people, who we feel very close to."
Temple member Janet Tan said the community saw a need to put politics aside and "do the ethical thing as a Buddhist".
Donations collected would be handed to the Chinese Consulate.
At least 10 New Zealand-based Tibetan monks and nuns are preparing for a meeting with their leader in Sydney.
"I am really excited about meeting the Dalai Lama," said Tenzin Jampa, an Australian nun at Dorje Chang.
"It is one thing reading a book about his teachings, but listening to him talk in person will bring his teachings to a different level."
The Dalai Lama, in Australia for five days of meditation teachings from June 11, will be addressing his monks and the Tibetan community in a private meeting next Saturday.
This week, Tibetan exiles in Kathmandu - including monks and nuns - resumed protests against Chinese rule of Tibet after putting a temporary stop to them in mid-May following the earthquake.
More than 20,000 Tibetan refugees live in Nepal, and about 2500 still arrive annually before going to Dharamshala in northern India, where the Dalai Lama and his Tibetan government-in-exile are based.
Australia has mounted unprecedented security for his visit, as organisers fear it could be marred by protests and violence from pro-China students and a splinter Buddhist group known as Dorje Shugden, denounced by the Dalai Lama.
Protesters have followed the Dalai Lama in Germany and Britain on his tour, accusing him of being a dictator and a hypocrite.
"I feel sorry for those people who do not have an open mind," said Geshe Thupten Wangchen. "I am keen to hear what His Holiness has to say about all this."
