TOKYO: The Tibetan delegation who are in Japan to attend a conference on interfaith and interethnic leadership conference, met the Tibetan community at the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Saturday, 25 November.

Addressing the gathering, Ms Kyinzom Dhongdue, member of Tibetan Parliament from Australasia, appealed to the members of the Tibetan community to work in solidarity with the initiatives of the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Ms. Kyinzom said each Tibetan should take the responsibility and make effort in whatever way possible to work for the cause of Tibet.

She emphasized the importance of supporting the good work being done by a fellow Tibetan and to encourage others to do so with a positive motivation.

She praised the efforts made by the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in establishing the Japanese Parliamentary Support Group for Tibet, which is the largest support group in the world.

Mr. Lobsang Dakpa, Member of Tibetan Parliament, said the Tibetan delegates had the precious opportunity to meet with members of the Japanese Parliament, adding that the Japanese parliamentarians spoke on what they are doing now for the cause of Tibet and vowed their continued support in the future. “Our meeting with the Japanese Parliaments is a great achievement of the efforts being made by the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Japan,” he said.

He said the Tibetans should use the social media wisely because there are elements who deliberately destroy the unity and creating disturbance in the community

He told the Tibetans attending today’s talk that your presence here is recognition of your unwavering respect for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration.

Mr. Kunga Tashi, Chinese Liaison Officer at the Office of Tibet in US, spoke about the support for the Middle-Way Approach by the majority of Tibetans and efforts to reach out to the Chinese people.

He appealed to the Tibetan community to support the activities being undertaken by the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Japan and refrain from actions which will hurt the sentiments of the Tibetans living inside Tibet.

Mr. Tenzin Deden, head of the Chinese Desk at the Department of Information and International Relations, Central Tibetan Administration, said there is a huge Chinese population in Japan and that the Tibetans living in Japan who can speak Chinese should reach out to the Chinese community to create awareness about the Tibet issue.

He said the Tibetan community should take the responsibility and make united efforts to strengthen the Offices of Tibet in their respective countries as they will play a crucial role when 50 percent of the Tibetan population may move to foreign countries as envisaged by the Kashag.

Following the talk, the Tibetan community members sought advice from the Tibetan Parliamentarians about teaching Tibetan language and culture to children who are living in Japan. One Tibetan suggested that having a music teacher in Japan will motivate the children learn the Tibetan language and culture.

Mr. Kunga Tashi said it would be practical and helpful, like in America, the Tibetan community in Japan could invite artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts for a set duration to conduct classes for the children.

 – Report filed by OOT Japan –