Dalai Lama’s Last Surviving Bodyguard Dies In US; Tibet Govt-in-exile Pays Glowing Tribute

Born in 1939, Anen Dawa was solely 15 when he joined the private military of the Tibetan non secular chief in Norbulingka. After 4 years, he was formally inducted within the military and continued to function private guard to the Dalai Lama by means of his education in Sera, Drepung and Gaden monasteries for the following 4 years and notably, in the course of the Lhasa Monlam ceremony when the Dalai Lama was receiving Geshe Lharampa Degree in February 1959. 

In essentially the most vital flip of occasions in March 1959, when the Tibetan rebellion was crushed and the specter of Chinese army assaults was ever-growing, on the fateful night time of March 17 1959, Dalai Lama accompanied by tens of 1000’s of Tibetans fled into exile to India.

At the time because the youngest of them, Anen Dawa and one other bodyguard have been requested by the Dalai Lama to accompany him to Mussourie the place he would set up his first residence. In accordance with Dalai Lama’s directions, he joined the Tibetan Homes School based in Mussourie as one among its first 50 college students. After finishing education, Anen Dawa served the CTA dedicatedly within the capability of a translator and facilitator for Tibetan refugees arriving in Nepal.

He then pursued his additional research within the US at Cornell University and later at Boston from the place he graduated with distinction. In 1996, he immigrated to Minnesota by means of the resettlement coverage and retired from service the place he lived for the remainder of his life. Anen Dawa is survived by his spouse Khando Dawa, three youngsters Tseyang, Choewang and Choephel, and granddaughter Zenden.