Tibetans implore His Holiness the Dalai Lama to live long on his 74th birthday Monday, 6 July 2009, 1:25 p.m.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama in April 2009/File

Dharamshala: Commemorating
the 74th birth anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetans
living in exile on Monday (6 July) implored their spiritual and
temporal leader to continue to live as the sole protector and saviour
of all sentients beings until the end of the Samsaric world and prayed
for the resolution of Tibet issue.
Thousands of Tibetans and people from across the world participated in
the function celebrating the birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in
Dharamsala, India, this morning. Colourful Tibetan and Indian cultural performances added grandeur to the celebratory function.
His Eminence the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje presided
over the function, which was attended by dignitaries, including the
visiting Australian Parliamentary delegation and heads of the three
pillars of Tibetan democratic institutions in exile.
The Kashag expressed concern over the ongoing repression inside Tibet,
including killing, beating, torture and incarceration of Tibetans by
the Chinese government since it brutally crushed the Tibetan people’s
peaceful protests in Tibet in March 2008.
Paying tribute to all those heroic men and women of Tibet, as well as
expressing solidarity with them, the Kashag reassures all those people
that their great sacrifices will never go in vain. The
Kashag expressed its disappointment that the Chinese government’s
failure in providing a rational explanation as to whether it agrees or
disagrees with the memorandum on genuine autonomy for all Tibetans
presented to the Chinese government last year.
The Chinese side has resorted to distorting the Tibetan proposal and
leading the international public up the garden path by quoting bits and
pieces of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s statements issued many years
ago, the Kashag added.
The Kashag said the administration and Tibetans in exile will focus
their efforts on reaching out to Chinese people living across the globe
to raise awareness among them about the truth of the Tibet issue.
“We are ready or prepared to engage in dialogue on the
already-submitted memorandum, which can obviously serve as the definite
agenda for the future conduct of the dialogue process. There is no
change whatsoever in our determination to continue the talks once we
receive a clear signal from the Chinese government,” the Kashag said.
In its statement, the Tibetan Parliament in exile urged the Chinese
leadership to understand the reality and resolve the Tibetan issue in a
peaceful manner that would contribute to peace, stability and harmony
in both China and Tibet.
“China will not find a more pragmatic leadership than His Holiness in
finding a mutually beneficial solution to the issue of Tibet. If China
fails to make use of the opportunity, the present leadership of China
will be held responsible for their irresponsibility by generations of
Chinese people to come,” Speaker Penpa Tsering said. Related:Statement of Tibetan Parliament on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 74th Birthday CelebrationThe Kashag’s Statement on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 74th Birth Anniversary