PO BAG 1: 11/11/14

11 November 2014

Hacker-hit Tibetan monks 'detach from attachments'

Jamyang Palden, a 30-year-old Tibetan Buddhist monk uses his laptop to access his email at a cafe with WiFi connection in Dharmsala, India, Monday, Nov. 10, 2014. Buffeted by constant cyberattacks, monks like Palden are being taught a new Information Age creed: ‘Detach from Attachments.’ The Internet safety slogan is an example of how human rights defenders are seeking creative ways to protect activists from electronic espionage.

Buffeted by persistent cyberattacks, Tibetan monks are giving new meaning to their ancient creed: Detach from attachments.

"Attachment can lead you to all sort of trouble and we Buddhists believe that non-attachment alone can lead you to happiness," 30-year-old monk Jamyang Palden told The Associated Press at a cafe in the Indian hill town of Dharamsala, before giving the philosophy its Information Age twist: "We have to learn to be suspicious of email attachments."