‘The Tibetan people have to manage themselves’[Friday, 18 February 2011, 9:45 a.m.]
BERLIN: The
Tibetan people have to manage themselves without His Holiness the Dalai
Lama’s patronage, said Kalon Tripa Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche during a
round table discussion with journalists in Berlin yesterday.”Better to face the reality now. Tibetans will have to face it sooner or later,” he said.During
a media interview last November in New Delhi, His Holiness the Dalai
Lama had expressed his wish to retire from political life. His Holiness
further said that he will ask the forthcoming session of the Tibetan
Parliament in March to debate on the issue.Dharamsala has
received hundreds of letters and appeals from Tibetans all over the
world. In early January, the Standing Committee of the Tibetan
Parliament-in-Exile requested His Holiness not to retire and continue
to lead the Tibetan people.When the issue is debated in the
Tibetan Parliament, Kalon Tripa said he will speak in favour of Tibetan
people’s wishes as he was directly elected by the Tibetan people. But
as the head of the Kashag, he will have to speak on His Holiness’
behalf.Since the establishment of the Ganden Phodrang
Government of Tibet by the 5th Dalai Lama in 1642, successive Dalai
Lamas have been the spiritual and political leader of Tibet. There is
an extraordinary bond between the Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan people.His
Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama established the Tibetan Parliament in
exile in 1960. For the first time in history, the Tibetan people
directly elected the Kalon Tripa in 2001. Since then His Holiness the
Dalai Lama has been saying he is “semi retired.”Speaking on the
forthcoming Tibetan elections, Kalon Tripa said the Tibetan people’s
participation and awareness was much higher. He said that the future
role of the Kalon Tripa will become more important given His Holiness
the Dalai Lama’s recent statement.When asked to comment on the
present situation inside Tibet he said, “The situation inside Tibet
today is very serious. 2008 peaceful uprising was forcefully repressed.
This repressive measure continues. Tibetans and other minorities are in
constant fear. Detention and disappearance are order of the day.
Tibetan poets and writers are under attack.”He expressed his
admiration for the younger generation of Tibetans. “They have the
greatest patience and determination,” he said. “Only a small percentage
of the youth talk about violence but so far, no individual has
advocated violence,” he added.”Our commitment to non-violence is not a strategy,” said Kalon Tripa. “It is our principle and faith.”When
asked why the Tibetan issue was more popular than other movements, he
gave three reasons:(1) His Holiness the Dalai Lama - a charismatic
leader (2) Non-violence - strong commitment and (3) Tibetan spiritual
culture – day-to-day relevance to people.Kalon Tripa Prof.
Samdhong Rinpoche was invited to Germany by the Tibet Initiative
Deutschland, the oldest Tibet Support Group in Germany. He said that
the visit also provides him an opportunity to thank people for their
support for the Tibetan issue. He said Germany is one of the most
important countries.
