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 nonprofit 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: Lobsang Monlam was born in Chungpa on the border of Kham and Utsang Provinces. His family owned a very large flock of animals and his uncle was the leader of over 9,000 residents. Lobsang Monlam became a monk at the age of 3 at the Chungkhorgon Monastery and remained a monk until age 35 when he joined the Chushi Gangdrug [Defend Tibet Volunteer Force]. Lobsang Monlam explains how many monks and traders chose to join the Chushi Gangdrug in order to protect their country, the Buddhist dharma and His Holiness the Daila Lama against the Chinese invasion. He describes in detail how the Chinese deceived the Tibetans by bribing the aristocratic leaders and taking away the Tibetan army's stored ammunition. Andrug Gonpo Tashi was able to form the resistance group by pretending to build a golden throne so the group could meet secretly and plan their defense. Lobsang Monlam was assigned to a group of men who successfully escorted His Holiness the Dalai Lama into India while others remained to resist the Chinese army. He also played a role in helping thousands of people escape into India. After a short time in India Lobsang Monlam rejoined the Chushi Gangdrug in Mustang, Nepal where they spent around 15 years planning and preparing to fight against the Chinese.