Japanese Join Tibetans in Mass Prayer and Fast for World Peace

Monday, 1 September 2008, 3:22 p.m.

Tokyo: As a part of Global
mass fasting and prayer events held around the world on the same day,
Tibetans and Japanese gathered at Gokokuji, a
Buddhist Temple in the heart of Tokyo city on the day. Liaison Office
of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama organized this religious event. Mr Lhakpa
Tshoko,
Representative of the Office, in his opening remarks thanked the
gathering for their
participation and expressed appreciation to Gokokuji Temple for
supporting the this
religious and peaceful event.

Mr Lhakpa Tshoko thanked the gathering for their participation and expressed appreciation to Gokokuji Temple for supporting the this religious and peaceful event.

He said the fasting and prayer is held around the world by the Tibetan
and their supporters to pray for those killed in Tibet after March 10 incident, and
to pray for early settlement of Tibetan issue peacefully, and also to purify the
atmosphere of mistrust and frustration generated after brutal crackdown in Tibet. He
further added that this religious event reconfirms our commitment to non-violence
and it is prayed that this event will generate compassionate mind in the Chinese
leadership to review their Tibet policy.

Ven Okamoto Eisho, Chief priest of the Gokokuji Temple also spoke on the occasion,
he said he firmly believes in the non-violent ideals of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,
and this fasting and prayer session will definitely help generate good atmosphere of
peace and compassion around the world. He expressed happiness that so many people
have come for this peaceful event.

The religious event started from 7 am in the morning and concluded at 7 pm in the
evening. Though some 200 people participated in the event, 33 people stayed through
for 12 hours. There were people who stayed for 7 hours, 5 hours and so on. Some
people out of their hectic schedule, managed to come and sit for an hour to show
their solidarity. Some people have come all the way from Kyushu and other
neighboring prefectures for the event.

Though some 200 people participated in the event, 33 people stayed throughout for 12 hours.

Tibetan prayers, Dolma, Guru Soldeb, Gyalwai Soldeb, Palden Lhamo and Nechung
prayers, Mani and Guru mantras were recited. Tibetan and Japanese version of Hangya
shigyo (Sherab Nyingpo) was also recited.

All the Tibetan prayers have Japanese reading and meaning written on the text, this
was made possible by Gokokuji Temple. This way all the Japanese participants could
go along reciting the Tibetan prayers with the Tibetans. The prayers and mantras
were recited throughout the sittings. A separate report on the numbers of
recitations has been filed to Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala.

–Report filed by Tibet House, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, JAPAN