Dharamshala: Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC) organised a conference on ‘Relevance and Significance of the Dalai Lama Institution’ in Dharamshala from 24 – 25 August to discuss the significance and relevance of the institution of the Dalai Lama, the future of the Dalai Lama institution and the continuation of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) attended the opening ceremony of conference, funded by the Tibet Fund, as a chief guest along with the guest speakers. The two-day conference was also partaken by TYC president Gonpo Dhundup, vice president Lobsang Tsering, general secretary Sonam Tsering, and over 200 representatives from 80 chapters of TYC based in 14 different countries.
The President of TYC kicked off the symposium’s inaugural with introductory remarks about the conference and its purposes, mentioning the forum’s themes which include Historical Evolution of the Dalai Lama Institution and its influence in the Tibetan Buddhist World, Geo-political Significance of the Dalai Lama Institution, Role of the Dalai Lamas in the Tibetan Freedom Struggle, and The Future of the Dalai Lama Institution.
Hoping to generate much-needed awareness and understanding on the importance of the Dalai Lama and the institution in furthering the interest of Tibetan national and people, the President of the organising NGO believed that such understanding ensures continued reverence and support to the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the role of Dalai Lama Institution in the current state of Tibet.
After receiving a thangka of four-armed Avalokiteshvara from President Gonpo as a mark of respect and gratitude, the chief guest Sikyong Penpa Tsering addressed the gathering underscoring unity amongst various Tibetan organisations. Sikyong said, “the differing ideologies and views amongst Tibetan organisations must not damage the collective struggle of resolving Tibet cause”, given the dissimilarities in pursual strategies between different Tibetan NGOs.
While urging Tibetans to broaden their perceptions to understand each other in order to create a united and harmonious community under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sikyong recalled the astronomical contributions of consecutive Dalai Lamas to the benefits of the Tibetan people and nation. Particularly, the chief guest highlighted how gracious and benevolent the current Dalai Lama is for Tibetans who have sustained the survival and continuation of Tibetan cultural heritage in exile.
Furthermore, Sikyong succinctly apprised the gathering on 16th Kashag’s prioritisation of resolving the Tibet cause while informing briefly about Kashag’s objectives to the TYC members amassed at the venue.