As His Holiness the Dalai Lama turned 85 this year, the Central Tibetan Administration led by the 15th Kashag dedicated the year 2020-21 as ‘Year of Gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ — a celebration of the 85 glorious years that His Holiness the Dalai Lama has spent and continues to devote to the wellbeing of all sentient beings.
From promoting peace and harmony worldwide to his tireless advocacy of non-violence as the only realistic solution to global conflicts, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been a global beacon and ambassador of love, peace, and compassion.
For the Tibetan people, His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the human manifestation of Chenrezig, the bodhisattva of compassion and the patron saint of Tibet. From 1950 till 2011, for over six decades, His Holiness has led the Tibetan people politically and spiritually and has successfully put the global spotlight on China’s occupation of Tibet through the sheer power of non-violence and compassion. Even after the complete devolution of political authority to an elected Tibetan leadership in 2011, His Holiness remains the moral compass and conscience guiding the everyday lives of the Tibetan people.
Therefore, this yearlong celebration is an appreciation and collective expression of gratitude by the Tibetan people to highlight the outstanding contributions and achievements of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Despite the unforeseen challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kashag has rolled out a host of programs and activities worldwide to celebrate the life and the still-unfolding legacy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama under the banner ‘Year of Gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’.
As part of this yearlong celebration, the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) of the Central Tibetan Administration is organising a weeklong talk series on the four principal commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama namely:
Promotion of Human Values;
Promotion of Religious Harmony;
Preservation of Tibet’s Culture and Environment, and;
Revival of Ancient Indian Wisdom.
These four commitments reflect His Holiness’ lifelong conviction and effort to create a more peaceful, tolerant, and rational world by instilling hope in the younger generation.
Atleast 120 speakers from 19 different countries speaking in 15 languages will take part in the weeklong talk-series beginning 4 December.
The talk series will begin with opening remarks by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay and an introductory remark on the four commitments by Yangten Rinpoche, Religious Secretary at the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It will be followed by a panel of keynote speakers in Tibetan, Hindi, and English languages. The keyspeakers will include Kalons of the CTA, renowned Buddhist scholars, professors and heads of Buddhist institutes. Addresses by heads of the various Tibetan spiritual traditions will also feature in the talk-series.
The talk series will be broadcast via Tibet TV from 4 – 11 December featuring seven to eight panels a day with a maximum of 21 speakers.