Commentary: A day to remember, for Tibetans and all

In 1983, the Dalai Lama described the Tibetans under serfdom as living in "peace and contentment under the Buddhist light shining over our snow land". "Our serf system is different from any other serf system, because Tibet is sparsely populated, and Buddhism, which is for the happiness and benefit of the people, advises people to love each other," he said in India.

File photo taken on Jan. 4, 2009 shows a couple Zhaxi and  Baema Zhoigar get married in a traditional ceremony in southwest  China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Chogo)

The "peace and contentment" the Dalai Lama described never belonged to Migmar Dondrup, a humble serf at Parlha Manor. At 75, he considered himself "lucky" for being whipped instead of butchered for stealing barley when starving.

"Peace and contentment" are the last words anyone in today's civilized society can think of when they look at those gruesome historical photos showing how Tibetan serfs were tortured and butchered by their owners, and how their remains were made into musical instruments or used as sacrifices on the Dalai Lama's birthdays.