Mundgod: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay in his farewell speech at Gaden Lachi expressed that his tour in South India Tibetan settlements proved to be a sentimental yet equally gratifying parting experience for him.
Even though his initial plan to tour all the Tibetan communities in exile and abroad were curtailed given the global pandemic, Sikyong expressed his delight for having visited all the major monastics during his week-long tour.
Hailing the rich history of the Gaden monastery with veneration, Sikyong stated that the monastic founded by Je Tsongkhapa invariably represents an extraordinary legacy in the restoration of Tibetan Buddhism.
“The magnanimity and the spiritual appeal of our monastics have not only garnered ardent followers across the globe but also enabled astonishing support from the international communities to our political struggle”, Dr Sangay added while commending the self-sufficiency of the monastics despite it receiving a nominal budget allocation.
The success and self-sufficiency of the monastics said Dr. Sangay greatly contributed to the activities of other departments of CTA and the overall development of the administration.
While briefing the activities and achievements of his administration, Dr. Sangay recalled his political contributions in realising the Five-Fifty vision, a strategic move to resolve the issue of Tibet peacefully. Launched in 2017, during the 15th Kashag, the vision as Sikyong Dr. Sangay attested was premised upon His Holiness’ advice to “hope for the best and prepare for the worst”. The advice was conveyed to Sikyong at a time when His Holiness relinquished all his political responsibilities in 2011 vesting them on the Sikyong to forge ahead.
“The vision represents our steadfast effort to resolve the issue of Tibet in 5 years based on the Middle Way Approach while ensuring our resilience to sustain the movement for the next 50 years if need be”, added Dr. Sangay indicating that a resilient Tibetan community is the key to Tibetan movement. Speaking further, Sikyong underlined that a key aspect of the vision is also to resume dialogue with the Chinese counterpart which he said his administration has put all their efforts into.
“Although we have failed to reach a convergent point with the Chinese counterpart, we have consistently lobbied for Tibet issue and the Middle Way Policy at various national and international platforms”, asserted Dr. Sangay while highlighting several activities initiated by the administration over the years including educating the global community on the Middle Way Policy.
Despite the political setback in forging a dialogue with China, Sikyong affirmed that many positive political developments did take place such as the recognition of CTA’s Middle Way Policy by the Obama administration in 2016. Another remarkable achievement Dr Sangay noted was the enactment of the Tibet Policy and Support Act 2020 which was massively received and supported by other Tibet support nations.
“Such achievements contribute in realising the Five Fifty Vision of sustaining our cause for the long run”, Sikyong concluded as he thanked the spiritual contributions of Tibetan monastics in advancing the Tibetan movement.