DHARAMSHALA: The Central Tibetan Administration is deeply saddened by the demise of Adam Yauch, a staunch long-time Tibet supporter. As a member of the world-renowned hip hop group Beastie Boys, Mr. Yauch used his fame to bring a new dynamism to the issue of Tibet by holding several Tibetan Freedom concerts in the 1990s. The concerts played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the issue of Tibet amongst the youth worldwide.
His connection to Tibet brought him into a meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1995. Since then, he took keen interest in Buddhism.
To implement his initiatives to support Tibet, Mr. Yauch established the Milarepa Foundation, a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting awareness and activism regarding the injustices perpetrated in Tibet as a result of the Chinese occupation. In 1996, Milarepa Foundation produced the first Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, which was attended by 100,000 people, making it the biggest benefit concert on US soil since 1985’s Live Aid. Subsequently, the Tibetan Freedom Concert series went on to stage some of the most significant benefit shows in the world for nearly a decade following in New York City, Washington DC, Tokyo, Sydney, Amsterdam, Taipei and other cities.
‘Adam Yauch made a remarkable contribution in raising the issue of Tibet on the international arena through music. His generous support and contribution will always be remembered by the Tibetan people. We express our heartfelt prayers and condolences to his family’ said Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay.
Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay first met Mr Yauch at Harvard university and they have remained good friends ever since.
Mr. Yauch passed away in his native New York City on 4 May 2012. He was 47 years old. He is survived by his wife Dechen Wangdu and their 14 year old daughter, Tenzin Losel Yauch.