Today marks the 58th Tibetan Democracy Day. It is a day to commemorate and celebrate. Tibetans across the globe are celebrating this day by holding an event with the high spirit of unity.
As we look back to see Tibetan democratic transition, from a young age, His Holiness the Dalai Lama envisioned a modern democratic Tibetan society. When His Holiness was forced into exile, he made sure that a democratic system would be born in India. In late 1959, Tibetan leaders took the Great Oath (Na-gaen Thuwoche) in Bodh Gaya, pledging that under the leadership of His Holiness, the Tibetan movement would work with an iron-ball like unity.
On 2 September 1960, the first meeting of the Commission of Tibetan People’s Deputy (CTPD) was held with a total of 13 elected members from the three regions of Tibet and the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. later in 1963, Tibetan women representative were added to the 2nd Commission of Tibetan People’s Deputy. In 1977, a representative of Bon was added to the existing four Buddhist schools. At the end of the sixth Commission, it was renamed the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies (ATPD) and subsequently the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile after the adoption of the Charter of Tibetans-in-exile in 1991. With the formation of the Supreme Justice Commission in 1992, the three pillars of democracy were established.
On 20 August 2001, a major Tibetan democratic transition took place by electing Kalon Tripa Professor Samdhong Rinpoche. In 2011, His Holiness devolved his political power to a democratically elected leader Dr Lobsang Sangay, the incumbent President of Central Tibetan Administration. Today, the Central Tibetan Administration represents Tibetans in exile and reflects the aspirations of Tibetans inside Tibet.
Some glimpses of netizens’ reactions to the celebration of 58th Anniversary of Tibetan Democracy: