“Consider yourselves as representatives of Tibetan people as a whole”, His Holiness tells assembly
Thursday, 5 October 2006, 3:00 p.m.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the assembly, (Photo: Sangjey Key) |
Dharamshala: “Each and every member of the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies (ATPD) are representatives of the general public and therefore they should commit themselves fully to the welfare of the Tibetan people. The deputies should not talk of different provinces and religious denominations on this platform. Instead they have to focus on our common cause”, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his address to the ATPD this morning.
Before addressing the assembly His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeted the members of assembly and everyone present on the occasion.
His Holiness administrating oath of office to Kalon Tempa Tsering, (Photo: Tenzin Choejor) |
His Holiness then asked the new deputies to stand up to see them, while the chairperson gave a brief introduction about them to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Highlighting the importance of universal responsibility, His Holiness said he feels it is not right to think only of the Tibetans. We have to think in broader term, for whole of the humanity and for this compassion is the key factor. Since his first visit to Europe in 1973, His Holiness said he has been working for the promotion of human values, compassion, and religious harmony in the world.
(Photo: Sangjey Key) |
His Holiness said, “Besides the Tibet issue, he is committed to the promotion of human values, compassion and inter religious harmony in the world”.
Moreover, His Holiness said his position is that of a semi-retired. All the political responsibilities are in hand of the Kalon Tripa, who is directly elected by the exile Tibetans.
Calling on Tibetans to work hard for our common cause, His Holiness said, “Our struggle is neither a struggle of over 100,000 exile Tibetans, nor a struggle of the Dalai Lama alone, rather it is a struggle of the Tibetans to survive as an equal member and to preserve the Tibetan identity.
Kalon Tripa and the three Kalons, chair and vice chair of the assembly lined the street to welcome His Holiness, (Photo: Sangjey Key) |
So therefore we have to produce a collective potential and should bear our responsibilities to work hard at this critical time”.
For this His Holiness said democracy is very important. “Our exile society was democratised and it has a strong base. Yet we have to work for its improvement”, he added.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that we are in exile because of the political problems and we have more responsibilities and opportunities towards resolving it while being in a free country.
(Photo: Tenzin Choejor) |
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also emphasised the importance of both modern education and the monastic education for better preservation of Buddhism. “We should be 21st century Buddhist and it is important to practice faith with knowledge and understanding of the teachings”, His Holiness said.
Earlier His Holiness the Dalai Lama administered the oath of office to three new Kalons present: Tsering Phuntsok, Thubten Lungrik and Tempa Tsering; at his residence.
Kesang Yangkyi Takla will be administered her oath afterwards.