Dharamshala: The eight participating troupes of the 25th Shoton festival being held in Dharamshala along with participants of the Middle Way Approach Conference received a special audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama this morning at Tsuglagkhang.
In his address to the gathering, His Holiness said he was delighted over the commencement of the Shoton festival adding that the festival brings fond memories of Tibet where it is celebrated with much fervour and gusto.
Stressing the relevance of Tibetan opera as an intrinsic part of Tibetan culture, His Holiness said Tibetans in exile must continue to protect and preserve that culture.
“We cannot resort to violence and banish the Chinese out of our land. However, we can definitely learn to coexist peacefully through the approach of middle way policy while we continue to preserve our own identity” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
“Moreover, there is widespread interest among the Chinese today toward Tibetan Buddhism and its scientific approach that relies on logic and reasoning through investigation. Even scientists around the world are experimenting with the viability of the correlations of science and Buddhism” added His Holiness in acceptance.
“We owe extensive gratitude to King Songtsen Gampo for introducing Buddhism and Tibetan script that we so proudly promote today” asserted His Holiness and urged the Tibetans, particularly the Millenials to continue the preservation of Tibet’s heritage.
Finally, to the reassurance of gathering, His Holiness affirmed to live over 100 years.
Following His Holiness’s address, the representative of each opera troupe presented a segment of Namthar (biographical stories) to His Holiness.
A total of 8 opera troupes are currently in Dharamshala to participate in the weeklong Shoton festival-a grand official cultural event that began on 6 April and will conclude on 13 April.