Sikyong Penpa Tsering reading the Kashag’s statement. Photo/Tenzin Jigme /CTA

Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration today celebrated the 32nd anniversary of the conferment of Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Sikyong auditorium in Gangchen Kyishong.

The celebration was attended by Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Kalons of the 16th Kashag, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, along with Chief Justice Commissioner Karma Dadul and Justice Commissioner Tenzin Lungtok. Heads of the Tibetan Autonomous bodies, Secretaries and staff of the Tibetan administration also attended the ceremony.

Delivering the statement of the Kashag on the occasion, Sikyong Penpa Tsering highlighted His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s immense contribution towards global peace and harmony. He noted His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s emphasis on love and compassion, and his unwavering commitment towards non-violent approaches to resolving conflicts.

Heads of CTA looking through the statement. Photo/Tenzin Jigme /CTA

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s philosophy of love and compassion results from rigorous study, training and practice since his childhood. One can feel the infinite depth of his compassion through His Holiness’ Words of Truth,” Sikyong said. “In the ‘Words of Truth’, instead of harbouring hatred and enmity against the invaders of our country, His Holiness the Dalai Lama writes that their cruel actions are done out of delusion and are objects of compassion, and prays that they achieve wisdom to abide in the glory of friendship and love,” he added.

Recalling His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s constant efforts to resolve the Sino-Tibetan conflict through dialogue, Sikyong said His Holiness wrote to China’s paramount leader Deng Xiaoping in 1981 to improve Sino-Tibetan relations and establish contacts with Tibetans inside and outside Tibet.

Artists from TIPA performing the Tibetan traditional dance on the 32nd Anniversary of the Conferment of Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo/Tenzin Jigme /CTA

“With His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s efforts and outreach to Deng Xiaoping, four fact-finding delegations and two exploratory missions were dispatched to Tibet in the 1980s. Although no meaningful solution to the Sino- Tibet conflict came out, these efforts had a significant influence on the Chinese government to adopt liberal policies on the revival of Tibetan religion, culture and language, and improvement in Tibetan people’s standard of living in Tibet,” Sikyong said.

Sikyong further lauded His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s initiatives to engage in dialogue with scientists through the Mind and Life Institute and said this has led to the understanding that Science and Buddhism both share a common aim to benefit humanity.

Sikyong also urged Tibetans across the world to join the Kashag’s V-TAG initiative to contribute in their personal capacities to find a solution to the Sino-Tibetan conflict through the Middle Way Approach.

Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel releasing the book titled “International Resolutions and Recognitions on Tibet (1959 to 2021)”. Photo/Tenzin Jigme /CTA

Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, in the statement of the Tibetan Parliament, described His Holiness the Dalai Lama as a champion of peace and the common treasure of the world. He paid tributes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s lifelong efforts to ensure the wellbeing of all sentient beings particularly the six million Tibetans. Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel also lauded and expressed gratitude to the farsighted vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in bestowing the gift of democracy to the Tibetan people and said that it is only because of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s kindness and leadership that the Tibetan people have been able to proceed on this great highway of democracy.

Speaker further explained that disagreements are a part of a healthy democracy but emphasised that the disagreements should be settled through the test of thorough public discussions under the inimitable leadership and guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He added that such an approach will be in accord with the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and is also a great merit of the democratic way. “This is also critically important from the perspective of the Tibetan people’s struggle for their fundamental cause. We therefore especially reiterate our call on all concerned people to be extra-vigilant in keeping this firmly in their minds,” he said.

CTA staff gathered in the Sikyong Hall to celebrate the 32nd Anniversary of the Conferment of Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo/Tenzin Jigme /CTA

Speaker highlighted the four principal commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and urged the Tibetan public to make whatever efforts that we can at the individual level, through other people, and by means of inspiring people of other ethnicities toward realizing His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s objectives behind taking up these commitments.

Speaker also used the occasion to condemn the Chinese government’s brutal policies being practised in Tibet, East Turkestan, Inner Mongolia, and Hong Kong. He raised the plight of Tibetan political prisoners, destruction of places of religious worship, forced indoctrinations and cultural assimilation etc. Speaker also congratulated this year’s two Nobel Peace Laureates Ms Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Mr Dmitry Andreyevich Muratov of the Russian Federation.

Video screening at the celebration of the 32nd Anniversary of the Conferment of Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo/Tenzin Jigme /CTA

The ceremony saw the felicitation of staff from the Health Department for completing 25 years of service by Chief Justice Commissioner Karma Dadul. The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) also presented cultural performances to celebrate the occasion.

Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel released a book titled ‘International Resolutions and Recognitions on Tibet (1959 – 2021)’ published by the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) at the ceremony.

A 30-minute documentary film titled ‘Our Vote, Our Future’ based on the Tibetan general elections for Sikyong and Tibetan Parliament produced by the Tibetan Election Commission was screened at the ceremony.

Traditional Tibetan dance performance by TIPA. Photo/Tenzin Jigme /CTA