Tokyo: Kalon Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok of Department of Religion and Culture, CTA  began his official visit to Japan on 5 July 2019.
Kalon Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok visited Gokokuji Temple, which was built in 1681 and has a collection of arts said to be the most magnificent in Tokyo. Kalon was taken on a tour of the temple and he offered prayers in the main shrine. His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the temple twice in the past.

Kalon met with the chief abbot of Gokukuji temple. He thanked the temple for its deep respect for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and support for Tibetan culture and religion.

On being asked about the situation in Tibet, Kalon explained that the condition is critical with China’s increasing suppression of Tibetan culture and particularly study and practice of Buddhism. He said the present situation is worse than it was during Mao Zedong’s rule, as Tibetans are forced to replace portraits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and revered Tibetan lamas with that of Chinese communist party leaders and forced to prostrate before them. He said the Chinese government’s policy in Tibet will hurt China’s status in the world and bring no positive result.

The chief abbot said he feels pain in seeing the tragic situation in Tibet. He expressed hope that changes will take place for the good of Tibet. Kalon said Tibetan struggle based on the foundation of truth and non-violence will succeed.

Kalon Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok visited the Japanese Parliament and met with Mr. Shimomura Hakubun, former education minister and current member of Parliament.
Mr. Shimomura, who is president of All party Japanese parliamentary support group for Tibet, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama is revered as a symbol of peace and non-violence. He expressed his hope and prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama to live long to bring peace and compassion in the world. He spoke about the Japanese government’s concrete support for the welfare of the Tibetan people.
Religion and Culture Kalon Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok thanked him and concerned people for their efforts to make this materialize.

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is in very good health and expressed his hope to live till 110 years,” he said adding that Tibetans must make concerted effort to keep alive their quest for resolution of Tibet’s issue in difficult times.
Later on the day, Kalon visited prestigious Chiba Institute of Technology and Reitaku University.

Kalon was warmly welcomed at Chiba Institute of Technology(CIT) and Reitaku University. Both the institutes offer scholarship to Tibetan students to study in their respective universities. During his meeting with CIT and Reitaku university officials, he said Tibetan students in Japan share many good things like Japanese people such as diligence in study and research, using the Japanese language in teaching methodology, discipline respect for others. Saying that Japan and Tibet share historical ties, he emphasized the importance of the exchange of Japanese and Tibetans in cultural, language and Buddhist studies.
Kalon Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok expressed profound gratitude for their support for the education of Tibetan students.

Mr. Lungtok, the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Japan and office staff accompanied Religion and Culture Kalon Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok during the visit.

-Filed by Office of Tibet, Japan