Tokyo: Tibetans in Japan and South Korea celebrated the 64th Anniversary of the Tibetan democracy today on Sunday, a public holiday, to ensure maximum participation. While the Tibetans in Tokyo participated physically, the Tibetans in Korea participated virtually, online.
Soon after coming into exile in 1959, His Holiness the Dalai Lama walked on his plan to democratise the Tibetan polity and this year marks the 64th anniversary of the Tibetan democracy when the first deputies of the Tibetan people were selected. Today, the Tibetan diaspora represents one of the most successful and vibrant democratic communities in the world, something that the CCP should learn from.
Tashi Yangzom from the Tibet House Japan welcomed the gatherings and moderated the event. Representative Dr Tsewang Gyalpo Arya and Tenzin Sherab of the Tibetan Community Japan offered prostration and khatags to the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama followed by the singing of the Tibetan National Anthem and Democracy song (Tib: mang-gtso gsar bzhad) by the Tibetans.
Representative Dr Arya briefly informed the Tibetans of the Kashag and the Parliament’s message on the day. He spoke on the importance of democracy and how His Holiness the Dalai Lama nurtured the system and gifted it to the Tibetan community. He advised the gathering that adhering properly to the democratic norms without prejudice and fulfilling one’s duty is the best gift any Tibetan could offer to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Dr Arya informed the gathering of the US legislation “Resolve Tibet Act” and updated them on his recent South Korea tour.
Tenzin Sherab, Chairperson of the Tibetan Community in Japan, Geshe Namkha of the Tibet House Korea, and Geshe Tenzin Sangpo of the Tibetan Community in South Korea spoke on the importance of democracy and updated the participants on the various activities of the community in their respective regions.
Tibetans discussed other issues, including the celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, and the election of the new working committee. They also discussed how to make the Tibetan Community active and associate with the Japanese and members of other communities in celebrating and organising social and cultural events.
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Japan and East Asia