Kangra: Sikyong Penpa Tsering arrived in Tashi Jong earlier this morning, where he was received by Former Vice-President Ven. Popa Rinpoche of Tibetan Craft Community, Members of LTA and members of the community. Sikyong began his official engagement at Tashi Jong with a visit to Khamgar Palphunstok Choekhor Ling monastery, followed by an address and Q&A with members of the community.
In his address, Sikyong reiterated the importance of collecting demographic data to formulate policies and assess the situation. He assured Kashag’s effort in reaching out to the Chinese leadership on the Sino-Tibet conflict while adding that he was unable to disclose the details yet due to the sensitivity of the issue. However, he explained that despite Kashag’s adoption of the Middle Way Approach, the historically independent status of Tibet was a non-negotiable fact.
He stressed the need to learn Tibet’s history and advised the reading of Michael van Walt van Praag’s Tibet Brief 20/20 to the youth to advocate for Tibet.
Sikyong also visited the Khamgar Druk Dharmakara College and Dongyu Gatsel Ling nunnery, where he was received by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo.
Having completed his first official tour of cluster Tibetan communities in Himachal Pradesh, Sikyong returned to Dharamshala this evening.