Special Prayer Service by Tibetans and Supporters Mark Losar in JapanMonday, 2 March 2009, 4:11 p.m.
Tokyo: A
special prayer service was organised in Japan’s capital Tokyo on 28
February, the fourth day of Losar or Tibetan New Year, to mourn and
pray for all those Tibetans who were killed in Tibet last year and for
those who are suffering under the repressive policies of the Chinese
government in Tibet.
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Tibetan monks and supporters write “No Losar” or translated to “No New Year” on the first day of the Tibetan New Year in Taipei/Photo: AP
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Around
150 Tibetans andJapanese supporters of Tibet gathered at Joenji temple
at 3:30 p.m.(local time) and offered prayers for those who have
sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet. The congregation was
organised by the Tibetan community in Japan.Briefing the
gathering on the current situation in Tibet, Mr Lhakpa Tshoko,
representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia,
said the critical situation in Tibet is a matter of great concern to
both Tibet and the international community.The ecological and
environmental destruction in the form of exploitation of natural
resources to meet China’s voracious energy and military needs, are a
major cause of concern to neighbouring countries and could add to the
looming threat of global warming, Mr Tshoko said.He further
expressed deep concern over the repressive measures imposed by the
Chinese authorities to curb the promotion and preservation of unique
Tibetan culture, tradition, religion, language and identity of the
Tibetan people.He made an urgent appeal to the Japanese
supporters to extend necessary help for the just cause of Tibet,
emphasising the significance of the year 2009 as the 50th anniversary
of Tibetans in exile.Ven Shuei Kobayashi, a Japanese monk and
longtime friend of Tibet, addressed the gathering, followed by a prayer
recitation in Japanese.After the prayer service, members from the both the community engaged in interactive discussions.Later
in the evening, members took part in candlelight procession in memory
of all those who lost their lives for the just cause of Tibet,
including those who lost their lives in the tragic events of the past
year.Tibetan communities in and outside Tibetan organised
prayer services and other virtuous activities instead of usual
celebratory activities.The
Chinese authorities’ violent clampdown on Tibetan protesters since 10
March last year in Tibet left 219 Tibetans dead and 1294 injured.
Around 5,600 people are still under arrest or detention and more than
1000 are missing.(Click here to watch video of prayer service in Tokyo)–Based on report filed by Ms Dolma Tsering, a member of Tibetan community in Japan
