Delhi: Sikyong Penpa Tsering visited the renovated Sherig Parkhang Trust and inaugurated an exhibition on life and legacy of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama at India Habitat Centre in Delhi on 25 June following conclusion of his official engagements in the Europe and the United States. 

During his visit to Sherig Parkhang Trust, Sikyong inaugurated the newly renovated office of the Trust and toured its publication, administration, and circulation departments. Sikyong further reiterated the staff that the Trust was originally established with the specific aim of preserving Tibetan religion and culture. He also offered guidance on how the Trust should be managed and on the need to find ways to ensure its long-term sustainability.

Sikyong was accompanied by Representative Jigme Jugney of the Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in New Delhi, Secretary Jigme Tsering, who will soon assume the role as Bureau’s new Representative in coming month, and the Bureau’s secretary Tashi Dickyi and protocol officer Tenzin Passang. 

Later that afternoon, Sikyong and his aide proceeded towards the India Habitat Centre to attend the opening of a photo exhibition on life and legacy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, an event organised by the Delhi Ghoton Organising Committee in line with the programmes of the Year of Compassion celebration marking the 90th birth anniversary of His Holiness.

This event was also joined by Shartse Khensur Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden, Secretary-General of the International Buddhist Confederation; Vijay Kranti, a senior Indian journalist and Tibetologist; Dorjee Tsering, the Tibetan Settlement Officer of Delhi Samyeling; and members of the Local Ghoton Organising Committee. 

Following the introductory remarks by Bureau’s secretary Tashi Dickyi, who briefly apprised about the core themes of the exhibition highlighting His Holiness’ remarkable life and dedicated contribution towards global peace as well as preservation of Tibetan cultural and religious heritages, Representative Jigme Jugney delivered the welcome address. 

He noted that the photographs in the exhibition included archival images from His Holiness’ childhood up through his journey into exile. He said that this exhibition, organised as part of the “Year of Compassion” reflects the steadfast commitment to honouring the vision of the Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

In his keynote address, Sikyong remarked that, in a world increasingly marked by violence and conflict, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings on nonviolence, peace, and compassion are more indispensable than ever.

He said that His Holiness has devoted his entire life to the service of humanity through four principal commitments. His first commitment, as a human being, is the promotion of universal human values. In pursuit of this, His Holiness has worked for many years with Emory University to help develop educational programmes integrating science and human values.

His second commitment, as a Buddhist monk, is the promotion of interfaith harmony. Over the years, His Holiness has participated in numerous international conferences, delivering teachings on religious harmony and encouraging the cultivation of inner values across different faith traditions.

His Holiness’ third commitment, as a Tibetan, is the preservation of Tibetan culture and the protection of Tibet’s environment. Sikyong noted that Tibetan culture is deeply rooted in the principles of peace and nonviolence, and that His Holiness has consistently emphasised its potential to make a positive contribution to the world. Sikyong also highlighted Tibet’s environmental significance, noting that the Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the world’s “Third Pole,” is the source of many of Asia’s major rivers. As a result, the water security of millions of people across the continent is closely linked to the ecological health of Tibet.

His Holiness’ fourth commitment is the revival of ancient Indian wisdom. Sikyong observed that India’s philosophical heritage is both profound and expansive, and that Tibetan Buddhism has preserved and continues to uphold this rich intellectual tradition.

Turning to the Tibet-China issue, Sikyong reaffirmed that, in accordance with the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Central Tibetan Administration remains firmly committed to pursuing the Middle Way Approach while continuing to share His Holiness’ message and teachings with people around the world.

The opening ceremony was concluded with a vote of thanks from the Bureau’s secretary Tashi Dickyi. 

The exhibition will run till 30 June for six days for the general public.