Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup Speaks on Voice for the Voiceless at JiFeng Bookstore and Highlights Four Commitments of His Holiness at Washington DC.

Washington DC: The JiFeng bookstore in Washington DC became a gathering place for those interested in Tibet and the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 24 April 2025. The intimate venue was filled as Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup took the stage to address His Holiness’s latest publication, “Voice for the Voiceless”. The bookstore owner, Yu Miao, extended a warm welcome to the Representative, and his colleague moderated the book talk.

Representative Dr Choedup began the address by sharing his personal journey as a background of a Tibetan born and raised in India. He recounted how his parents, like thousands of other Tibetans, fled Tibet in the aftermath of the Chinese occupation in 1959, seeking refuge in neighbouring India. He explained that under the leadership of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, he became a beacon of hope and courage during the darkest period in Tibetan history for many generations of Tibetans. He further explained the four commitments of His Holiness.

The Representative elaborated on how the Dalai Lama has been a beacon of hope and resilience for Tibetans during what he described as “the darkest chapter in Tibet’s history.” Despite the immense challenges of displacement and cultural destruction, His Holiness consistently inspired generations of Tibetans to maintain their cultural identity while embracing modern education and democratic values.

The representative further delved into the four principal commitments of His Holiness’s lifelong mission: the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, and contentment as the foundation for human happiness; the fostering of inter-religious harmony through dialogue and mutual respect; the preservation of Tibet’s unique culture, language, and environment; and promotion of grater awareness and interest in the value of ancient Indian knowledge, particulary in the fields of mind science and emotional well-being.

The event attracted a diverse audience including many Chinese attendees, who listened attentively. The question-and-answer session addressed a range of topics, including the future of Sino-Tibetan relations to the possibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama returning to Tibet. One Chinese audience member asked about cultural preservation in the face of modernisation, while another inquired about the succession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In responses, Representative Dr Choedup addressed each question, emphasising that the Tibetan movement was not anti-Chinese but rather a peaceful call for justice and mutual benefit for both countries. He underscored His Holiness’s recommended consistent advocacy for dialogue and a middle-way approach as a mutually beneficial path to resolve the issue.

The evening concluded with attendees having the opportunity to engage briefly with Representative Dr Choedup. Many have left with not only a copy of “Voice for the Voiceless” but also a deeper understanding of Tibet’s enduring struggle and the compassionate, non-violent vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

–Report filed by the Office of Tibet, Washington DC