TOKYO: Tibetans and Japanese celebrated the 76th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Hotel Okura in the heart of Tokyo city on Saturday, four days ahead of 6 July to coincide with a weekend holiday. The event was organised by Liaison office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan & East Asia.
The celebration started with the offering of long-life prayer and Mendrel Tensum, to the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by Mr Lhakpa Tshoko, the Representative of Liaison office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan & East Asia, followed by the general public.
Representative Lhakpa Tshoko in his opening speech welcomed the guests and thanked them for their warm participation in the event. He briefly spoke about the remarkable contribution of His Holiness the Dalai Lama not only to the Tibetan society, but also to world in general in the promotion of human values, peace, justice and democracy. “Because of his leadership and vision, today, the Tibetan people are moving steadily ahead along with the international community with a system of democratically elected leadership. In this regard, China is still behind us,” he said.
Mr Makino Seishu of Democratic Party of Japan, who is also the chairman of Japan Parliamentarians Group for Tibet, extended good wishes to His
Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans for the occasion. He said he was fortunate enough to have a good number of opportunities to be with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and was always impressed and humbled by his unflinching faith in non-violence and human goodness. He said, instead of vilifying His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Chinese leadership needs to learn about democracy and harmonious society from him.
Mr Makino informed the gatherings that some of the founding members of Japanese Parliamentarians are at the helm of Japan’s ruling party. “DPJ wants to maintain good relationship with China, this is important, but we will do our best to have the dream of Tibetans people and vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama realised at the earliest possible,” he said.
Representative from Koyasan University, Wakayamaken, who will host the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Japan this year, greeted the assembly and highlighted the schedule of the visit. Dr. Nagamine of Okinawa, and Mr Kondo, Chairman of Osaka Seinen Chamber of Commerce, who hosted His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit last year, briefed the gathering about how His Holiness’ visit and how his message of peace and harmony evoked inspiration in the the heart of monks and lay people alike.
Professor Ishihama of Waseda University, spoke on the impact of change in the Tibetan political system with the devolution of political authority by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to a democratically elected Tibetan leadership. She termed this as a “turning point in Tibetan history”, and extolled the leadership of His Holiness and his vision to make the Tibetan issue relevant and alive through democratisation of Tibetan polity.
As for the entertainment, a Japanese Dra-nyen [Tibetan lute] Club headed by Mr Toshi Kuga, presented a lively dra-nyen performance, singing a song titled, ‘dawai-shonnu’ [a young moon]. Ms Naoko and her students of Gagatoto [Happy and Joyful] group played dra-nyen and sang ‘pangyen metok’ song. The delightful performance of the songs by Japanese in Tibetan traditional dress was well received by the audience with thunderous applause and encore request.
Mr Usui, a professional photographer, contributed a mini photo exhibition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Mr Maeno Hironori, a Japanese Kadoka [florist] and his staff, contributed flower arrangement and decoration of the stage. Some noted Tibet supporters have also sent flowers with warm messages for the auspicious occasion.
Around two hundred people attended the celebration. Some people came all the way from faraway regions like Okinawa, Kyushu, Osaka etc. The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks from Mr TG Arya of Liaison office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Tibetan community in Japan organised a Tibetan fashion show and Momo party on the day at Joenji, a Japanese temple in Shinjuku city.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative, Mr Lhakpa Tshoko, will leave for South Korea the following day to organise a similar celebration in Seoul city for the first time, in which around three hundred people are scheduled to participate.
