Tokyo: Tibetans in Japan and South Korea along with Japanese and South Korean well-wishers today celebrated the 86th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama organized via Bluejeans and Facebook live.
As special guests, Mr. Nagao Takashi, Member of Parliament and general secretary of the All Party Japanese parliamentary Support Group for Tibet, Mr. Makino Seishu, Representative of Save Tibet Network and former member of Parliament attended the online celebration.
The celebration began with prayers led by Geshe Tenzin Namkha of Labsum Shedrup Ling in South Korea for the long life prayer of His Holiness the Dalai and fulfillment of all his wishes.
In his speech, Representative Dr. Arya Tsewang Gyalpo, said our best gift for His Holiness the Dalai Lama is to have in ourselves warm-heartedness and compassion for other people’s wellbeing and live by the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He appealed to the Tibetans and devotees to recite the mantra of Avaloketeshvara (Om Mani Padme Hum) 1000 times on the actual birthday of His Holiness on July 6, as advised by His Holiness.
Representative Arya said Tibet House Japan is making every effort to realize the four principal commitments of His Holiness the Dalai, namely cultivation of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline; encouraging harmony among world’s religions; preservation of Tibet’s language and culture, and reviving awareness of the values of ancient Indian knowledge.
He said we all have the potential to cultivate these positive human values which are key for building a society and world having freedom, justice, altruism and compassion, adding, these are indispensable for a peaceful and happier are key to lasting peace and happiness in this world.
The Tibetan people’s struggle has become a symbol of non-violence, freedom and justice at the international level, he said, adding that freedom and environment of Tibet is connected with the freedom, livelihood and stability of millions of people in the Southeast Asian nations. The revival of the ancient Indian Nalanda thoughts will steer humanity towards a future of peace and non-violence, therefore, all should make an effort to realize these commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
He said the Tibet House Japan will release a book titled Wisdom Mind, a collection of verses by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, on the occasion of the conferment of Nobel peace prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in December this year. He thanked Koike Miwa, Shimoyama Akiko and Kameda Hirofumi for translating the book from English to Japanese.
Mr. Nagao Takashi, Member of Parliament, extended his heartfelt greetings and prayers for the long life of His Holiness. He reiterated his unwavering will to continue to work together with Tibetans in and outside Tibet in their struggle for freedom and justice.
He called on the Chinese government to heed the call of the international community to immediately end its human violations in Tibet, Uighur, southern Mongolia and Hong Kong.
Addressing the occasion, Mr. Makino Seishu, representative of Save Tibet Network and former member of parliament, fondly recalled his meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Brussels 7 years ago during he told His Holiness that he live till 100 years and to which His Holiness replied that he would live until 130 years. “I wish that rather 130 years, may His Holiness live till eternity. May His Holiness live a long and healthy life for the happiness of humanity and lead us with compassion,” Mr. Makino said.
Praising His Holiness for his deep-rooted commitment in non-violence, dialogue and peaceful coexistence to resolve the issue of Tibet is of great importance, Mr. Makino said we have to treat dearly our support for Tibetans in their struggle for freedom and justice. “Because of this, the existence of His Holiness and teachings of love and compassion are ever more indispensable for the entire humanity.”
Mr. Makino said the Save Tibet Network and Human Rights Foundation will work together with Tibetans, Uyghurs, Mongolians, Taiwanese and people of Hong Kong to restore their freedom and justice and to make China a responsible country of this world.
Geshe Tenzin Namkha, representing Tibetans in South Korea, addressed the Korean audience and thanked them for their support to the Tibetan cause. Mr. Tenzin Kunga from Tibetan Community Japan also addressed the audience. Both the speakers wished His Holiness the Dalai Lama on His birthday on behalf of all the Tibetans in Japan and South Korea.
Later, MC Kitazawa Anri read the Birthday messages received from Mr. Shimamura Hakubun, Chairman of All Japan Parliamentary Group for Tibet, and Mr. Maihara Seiji, former Foreign Minister, in which both the leaders have expressed their good wishes and their profound appreciation for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s untiring efforts in promoting non-violence, peace, love and compassion around the world.
Pre-recorded songs from Tibetans and Japanese artists from different parts of the world were broadcast to celebrate the occasion.
Lobsang Choedak, Secretary of the Tibet House Japan, gave the concluding word of thanks. He thanked M.P. Mr. Nagao Takashi and Mr. Makino and all those who have contributed in making the celebration a success and to all those who attended the online celebration through BlueJeans and Facebook live.
- Report filed by OOT Japan