Representative Dr. Arya Tsewang Gylapo addressing the gathering. Photo: N. Masaya

09/07/2023, Tokyo: Tibet House Japan organised His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday celebration at Okura Hotel, Tokyo on 9 July 2023. More than two hundred people comprising lawmakers, abbots and monks, university professors, filmmakers and artists, and Tibet supporters turned in good numbers to wish His Holiness the Dalai Lama a happy birthday on His 88th birthday and to thank him for his message of peace and non-violence.

Representative Dr. Arya Tsewang Gyalpo of the Liaison Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama welcomed and thanked the guests for joining the celebration and for their continued support for the Tibet issue. He informed the gathering that His Holiness is in good health and delivering teachings and a public audience. He reminded the audience that the best gift anyone could give to His Holiness as a birthday gift is to do some good acts on the day. He briefed the guests on the four commitments of His Holiness: enhancement of human value; promotion of religious harmony; preservation of Tibetan language and culture; and the revival of the ancient Indian Nalanda masters’ teachings.

Shimomura Hakubun, Chairman of the Japan Parliament Support Group for Tibet, wished His Holiness a happy birthday and spoke on how the Japanese parliamentarians visited Dharamsala to seek His Holiness’s audience and how the parliamentarian support group was formed. He said the Tibet issue is very important; it is a good people’s struggle against tyranny and communist dictatorship. Despite the Chinese repressive policy, His Holiness advocates peace, nonviolence, and tolerance; he requested the guests to support the Tibet issue.

Rev. Fujita Kokan of Koyasan Shingon Temple in Wakayama prefecture thanked His Holiness the Dalai Lama for making great contributions to making Buddhism in general and Vajrayana, in particular, more accessible and understandable for all. He spoke about the visits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Koyasan Temples and how the Japanese practitioners greatly benefitted from his teachings.

Makino Sheishu, a former lawmaker and Chairman of the Save Tibet Network spoke on his association with the Tibetan struggle and how His Holiness the Dalai Lama has worked tirelessly to make the international community understand what is happening in Tibet. He extolled the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in making peace and dialogue as a means to resolve conflict and international issues.

Tibetans offered prayers and mandalas. Tibetan song and dance group under the guidance of Tenzin Kunsang, a former TIPA member, and his Japanese and Tibetan students presented dranyen and songs to the audience.

Representative Dr. Arya announced the publication of the Japanese version of the collection of 113 quotations of H. H. the Dalai Lama, Wisdom Mind, and the DIIR’s publication, Harnessing the Dragon’s Fume, and presented the books as gifts to the participants.

Many expressed great joy and satisfaction to see the Tibet supporters from all corners of Japan coming together after the three years of COVID-19 restrictions. More than ten lawmakers from central and local constituencies have joined the celebration. The event was supported by a good number of Japanese volunteers associated with the Tibet House and Representative Arya thanked all the volunteers for their service and devotion.

-Report filed by the Office of Tibet, Japan

Shimomura Hakubun, Chairman of the Japan Parliament Support Group for Tibet. Photo:
N. Masaya

Rev. Fujita Kokan of Koyasan Daienji Temple addressing the gathering. Photo: Karma

Makino Seishu, Chairman of the Save Tibet Nework. Photo: N. Masaya

Nagao Takeshi, former General Secretary of the Japan Parliament Support Group for Tibet.
Photo: Karma

Shimomura Hakubun welcomed by the Representative Arya.

Shimomura Hakubun, Chairman of the Japan Parliament Support Group entering the venue.

Tashi Delek group presenting Tibetan songs to the audience.