Dharamshala: Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile attended a book launch event today alongside Sikyong Penpa Tsering.
The books offer gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama while honoring His vision and insights.
The event was organised by the Dhomey Cholka Association in collaboration with the writer Sherab Dhargye at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA) and attended by Tibetan parliamentarians, writers, scholars, and the general public.
While offering her gratitude to His Holiness, the Deputy Speaker underscored the significant role of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in empowering the women of Tibet including conception of awarding Geshema degree (highest degree in Buddhism) for nuns and providing reserved seats for women in the Tibetan Parliament as early as 1966.
From shouldering Tibet’s temporal and spiritual leadership at a very young age to bringing positive changes in the societal and political setup for a democratic and just society, the Deputy Speaker highlighted His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s blessing and effort in establishing the democratic setup in exile.
The Deputy Speaker further noted that a historical milestone in empowering Tibetan women was achieved with the encouragement and effort from His Holiness the Dalai Lama when Tibetan nuns received equal right to achieve the highest level of Buddhist studies and earn their Geshema degrees (equivalent to PH.D) and Tibetan women had reserved seats in the parliament and right to hold the highest political position in the diaspora.
“With the blessing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, women in the present Tibetan community are holding significantly notable positions in the Central Tibetan Administration’s Kashag, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, and other offices by making their valuable contribution to the common cause of Tibet,” she noted.
The Deputy Speaker then provided some data showing girls in the Tibetan diaspora are doing better in studies than their counterparts including receiving more scholarships, reserved medical seats, and Department of Education’s excellence award which she credited to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for His lifelong commitment in providing quality education to Tibetan
Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel spoke on His Holiness’s irreplaceable role in uniting the three provinces of Tibet and in guiding different schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon.
The Speaker explained the societal and political reforms initiated under the leadership of His Holiness until when he relinquished the political responsibility.
Speaker outlined the establishment of democracy for the first time for Tibetans in exile and the successive evolution of the system of democracy.
Speaker also highlighted His Holiness constant effort in preaching the practicality of Tibetan Buddhism and its relevance in the 21st century.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the Chief Guest of the event, and other guests Yangten Rinpoche and Geshe Lhakdor also spoke at the event .
–Reported by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat
