Group shot of the Tibetan residents with Representative Bawa Kelsang Gyaltsen

Taipei: Taiwan Tibetan Welfare Association celebrated the 32nd Anniversary of the conferment of the Nobel Peace Prize on His Holiness the Dalai Lama in advance on Sunday, 5 December.

The rescheduled Anniversary began with prayers and a ceremonial scarf offering to the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama by the Tibetan residents of Taiwan. Following that, the president of Tibetan Association Tenzin Namdhak, gave the introductory speech, appealing for integration of Tibetan efforts in challenging the ongoing struggle.

The president of the Tibetan Youth Association in Taiwan, Kunchok Lhakpa, urged the gathering to carry on with Tibetans in Taiwan organising a unified campaign without internal disagreements against China despite the difference in political ideologies.

Representative Bawa Kelsang Gyaltsen addressing the public

Before proceeding towards the conclusion, Representative Bawa Kelsang Gyaltsen introduced the four noble commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the recently passed Tibet Policy and Support Act. He also presented the dire situations inside Tibet, underscoring the essentiality of Tibetan religion and language preservation. The parents were told to encourage their children to speak in Tibetan. Bawa Kelsang Gyaltsen also informed the gathering about Green Book through which the individual Tibetans can make voluntary contributions.

Sangsol and a day-long festivity followed the formal gathering. Moreover, the bigger celebration for the Anniversary was scheduled on December 11, collaboratively organised by the Office of Tibet and the Gaden Shartse Buddhist Institute.

-Report filed by OOT Taiwan

President of the Tibetan Youth Association in Taiwan, Kunchok Lhakpa

President of the Tibetan Association in Taiwan, Tenzin Namdhak