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March 29 第十七世大寶法王噶瑪巴首次訪美弘法之旅第十七世大寶法王噶瑪巴首次訪美弘法之旅（2008年5月15日－6月2日）
March 19 His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, To Visit U.S.His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, To Visit U.S.
Mar 11, 2008
Dear Friends in the Dharma, (This announcement was from the Shambhala News Service)
February 13 Tara Buddhist Centre (Singapore) CNY Vege Buffet LunchTara Buddhist Centre (Singapore)
The Passing of His Holiness the XIth Mindrolling TrichenThe Passing of His Holiness the
XIth Mindrolling Trichen http://www.mindrolling.org/HisHolinessAnnouncement.cfm
The crown ornament of the Nyingma School, Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen Jurme Kunzang Wangyal, remained in order to benefit beings for 78 years. On the losar morning of the Earth Mouse Year, Kyabje Rinpoche bestowed his blessings upon the entire sangha of monks and nuns of Mindrolling and all the fortunate devoted ones who came for audience that morning. At 7:00 in the evening of the 3rd day of the 1st month of Miracles (9th February, 2008), without even the slightest discomfort, with a face even more radiant than before, and with a smiling countenance, Kyabje Rinpoche gazed lovingly at all those surrounding him. Then, with the aspect of resting, Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen Jurme Kunzang Wangyal displayed the final activity of transferring his enlightened intention to another realm, in order to turn the minds of those to be tamed towards the dharma. With hearts united in devotion, the entire sangha of Mindrolling is performing all the ceremonies for Kyabje Rinpoche's parinirvana. At present, the Mindrolling Monastery is performing the Minling Dorsem, Nara Dongtru and Thugje Chenpo ceremonies. Each ceremony is being performed at Mindrolling in three different shrinerooms by hundred monks in each shrineroom. Kyabje Sakya Trizin will be presiding over the 3rd day ritual on the 12th of February and will lead the kha-chö drubchö or the Vajrayogini sadhana. Kudung ScheduleThe general public may offer respects to Kyabje Minling Trichen Rinpoche's Kudung beginning from the 10th day of the 1st month (Saturday, 16th February). The Kudung will be ceremonially conducted to the shrineroom at 09:30 in the morning following which the general public may offer their respects and supplicate Kyabje Rinpoche to ceaselessly nurture and guide us in this and all future lifetimes. Last update: 12 February 2008 DATE CHANGE: Dalai Lama's Sydney TeachingsThe organisers of the Dalai Lama's 2008 visit, the Dalai Lama in Australia Ltd, have advised us that due to unforeseen circumstances the dates for the Stages of Mediation Teachings have changed to Wednesday June 11 - Sunday June 15. Read the Statement from the Dalai Lama in Australia Ltd While Tibetans continue to celebrate Losar, the Tibetan New Year, by making extensive offerings and doing special prayers and practices to eliminate obstacles, we wish you "Happy Losar" from all at ATC. Kind regardsPaul Bourke Executive Officer
Australia Tibet Council January 20 His Holiness Dalai Lama teachings in Australia 2008His Holiness Dalai Lama teachings in Australia 2008
Stages of Meditation by Kamalashila
15 – 19 June 2008 The Dome, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
The Teachings
Described by His Holiness as “a key that opens the door to all other major Buddhist scriptures”, Kamalashila’s classic text Stages of Meditation has been revered by Buddhists of all traditions since its creation. Presenting the essence of the entire Buddhist Path to Enlightenment in 10 short chapters, Kamalashila’s text places particular emphasis on calm abiding meditation and special insight. It demonstrates how carefully structured and conceptually informed meditation sessions serve as the bridge between the philosophical tenets of Buddhism and insight in the mind of practitioners. Over the course of five inspiring days by reference to Kamalashila’s text, His Holiness the Dalai Lama will demonstrate how the nature of awareness, developed through meditative practices can be transformed into the direct perceptual wisdom necessary to achieve enlightenment itself.
Programme
His Holiness will deliver teachings in both morning and afternoon sessions throughout the course. Meditation and discussion sessions will be conducted around the teachings from early morning till evening each day, so for those wishing to, these five days can be like a retreat. On the final day of the teachings, His Holiness will give the Chenrezig (Avalokitesvara) Initiation.
Tickets
Tickets for the full five days are available on the official website. To learn more about the teachings and the program, and to book your tickets, visit www.dalailamainaustralia.org
There are also a limited number of scholarships available for non-Sangha members unable to purchase a ticket. Please register for a scholarship by visiting the website. You can also assist a member of the Sangha to attend these teachings through sponsorship. All details are available on the website. Sangha members should register by visiting the website and completing the Sangha Registration Form or calling the 2008 Teachings office. 15 – 19 June 2008 The Dome, Sydney ShowgroundSydney Olympic Park
Accommodation & Travel
There are a number of hotels and accommodation options available, ideally located within 150 meters of The Dome at Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park. Special packages can be found through the website. Information and contact details for travel, from around Australia and South East Asia, is also available on the website. volunteers Volunteers will play an integral role in the success of the 2008 Stages of Meditation Teachings. If you would like to participate as a volunteer, register you interest at the website. other languages The text and translation via FM transmission at the venue, will be available in other languages including Chinese and Vietnamese. Further information is available on the website.
Phone (02) 9575 4888 PO Box 43 Ashfield NSW 1800
二零零八年六月十五日至十九日 第十四世達賴喇嘛將重臨澳洲, 在悉尼的圓頂體育館(DOME) 講授為期五天的襌修課程, 地點在悉尼的奧林匹克園, 日期是從二零零八年六月十五日至六月十九日。 第十四世達賴喇嘛形容蓮花戒大師的著作《修習次第》為一部打開所有主要佛教經典入門的鑰匙,這本 《修習次第》面世以來,也備受各宗派佛教徒的尊崇。 蓮花戒大師在短短的十章內, 介紹了整個悟道成佛的精髓, 尤其對止觀雙修的強調。 他的文章顯示這些有條理與基於概念而形成的襌修課程能作為一個溝通佛教哲學理論和修行者內觀之間的橋樑。 在這富有啟示性的五個日子裡, 藉由蓮花戒大師的《修習次第》內容, 達賴喇嘛尊者展示由襌坐伸引的觀照,可以啟發智慧並達到開悟。 達賴喇嘛尊者將在早上和下午教導有關課程, 在最後一天(第五天 )的早上, 將有一個特別的觀音菩薩灌頂儀式。 每天從早上到傍晚, 襌坐和討論會將隨著課程進行, 所以, 對那些喜歡修襌的人士來說, 可把這五天當作(五日襌) 的襌修活動。任何來參加的人士都會受益, 這個課程對那些想襌修的人士可說是一個殊勝的機會。 這是一個難得的機會, 俾使我們了解為什麼襌坐對佛教, 特別是精神生活方面, 是如此的重要。 尤其殊勝的是能從具有權威性的達賴喇嘛尊者本人學習到襌修的實踐。 達賴喇嘛尊者希望他的教學能被推廣到澳洲和東南亞地區的佛教基層。當局將會提供藏語、中文和越南語的翻譯。 除了與達賴喇嘛尊者在教學上的交流, 參加人士也將有機會融合經過討論會, 专题輔導組以及襌坐時段所得到的教義。 Photos of cremation ritual of our beloved Venerable Druwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche
Our beloved, Venerable Druwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche has departed us on 25 Dec 2007 in Singapore.
On 14 Jan 2008, the sacred fire puja of Akshobhya, Shitro Yangzab, Avalokitesvara and Chakrasamvara were performed by His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche together with His Eminence Thritsab Gyabra Rinpoche, Venerable Khenchen Konchok Gyaltsen and Venerable Drubpon Sonam Jorphel Rinpoche at 12noon in Drikung Kagyu Rinchenling Monastry, Nayapati, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Below (link) photos are the event in memory of our beloved Venerable Druwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche.
http://buddhistactivity.blogspot.com/2007/09/dharma-1.html
You will see a palaquin throne with yellow cloth in quite a few of the pictures; in it was Rinpoche's kordon (translated from Chinese as "fa sheng"). Many people offered flowers and incense as the kordon made its final journey to the stupa to be cremated.
His Eminence Drubwang Rinpoche has always recite the Om Mani Padme Hung mantra all his life. All of us should recite this mantra as much as we can.
Actually, Rinpoche is already fully enlightened but in order to fulfill all his wishes for all mother sentient beings, we must recite this Mani matra. That is my request to all of you -- By Khenpo Rangdol.
With the right attitude, any journey to a sacred place becomes a pilgrimage, commentary by HH Dalai Lama. H.E. Garchen Rinpoche’s AdvicesDear Dharma Friends,
I have just returned to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur tonight. I have gone there for a 5-day Mani Puja organised by Ratnashri Buddhist Centre Malaysia, which is of the Drikung Kagyud Lineage and closely connected to Teacher Venerable Drubwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche. During the retreat, I managed to have a private audience with H.E. Garchen Rinpoche. Rinpoche confirmed that it is Teacher Venerable Drubwang Rinpoche’s greatest wish that the yearly 100 Million Mani Recitation Retreat be continued to benefit all mother sentient beings. Rinpoche advised that we could kindly request KMSPKS Monastery to continue the retreat as it will be of benefit to the Monastery as well. Rinpoche also mentioned that the Drikung Kagyud Spiritual Masters will always have great consideration for the Mani Retreat as it is very beneficial to all sentient beings. Rinpoche advised that everyday, we must try to recite the Mani mantra as many as possible with loving-kindness and compassion for all sentient beings, and try to practice the 37 Bodhisattva Vows by constantly being mindful of our every intention and actions so as to ensure that they are pure and conform to the conduct of the Bodhisattvas. In this way, the blessings of Teacher Venerable Drubwang Rinpoche will always be with us. Rinpoche said that having the altruistic thought and willingness to put others before ourselves is very necessary and it doesn’t really matter if we could actually help others as long as we are willing and have tried our best. Rinpoche advised that we must continue to recite Teacher Venerable Drubwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche’s long-life prayer, although physically he is no longer with us. In doing so, we will be able to constantly request Teacher Venerable Drubwang Rinpoche to continue to stay to protect and guide us in our spiritual practice, so that our noble aspiration could be fulfilled sooner. If we have faith in him and diligently practised the dharma that he has taught us, we will be able to experience swift spiritual progress. Rinpoche advised us to give up self-cherishing, so that our practice of the 37 Bodhisattva Vows is possible and pure. Rinpoche taught that we should try to use the Mani Prayer Wheel as often as possible as it will be very beneficial for others and ourselves. Regarding the Mani Prayer Wheel, Rinpoche also taught that we should sleep with it under our pillow or beside it. He said that the result of doing so will be similar to the result obtained from the Powa practice upon our death. Rinpoche taught that upon waking up, the first thing to do is to think of the Triple Gem. At night, we need to recall and confess all our faults before sleeping. We must also constantly dedicate all our merits, no matter how small they are, to all mother sentient beings. Kind dharma friends at Ratnashri Buddhist Centre Malaysia have promised that they will try their best to conduct the Mani Retreat yearly and all are welcomed to join them in the retreat. They have been most kind in showing their hospitality and kindness when I was there. Currently, I have observed that they do not have enough full-time retreatants to complete the 100 Million Mani Recitation, hence, in my opinion, it would be great if we could join them yearly. Firstly, we will get to do the retreat out of our wish to gain Enlightenment swiftly in order to guide mother sentient beings out of Samsara and towards Enlightenment. Secondly, we could practise loving-kindness and compassion by having a sincere wish to help our kind dharma friends in Malaysia to hit the 100 Million Mani Recitation target, so that they too could be as fortunate as we used to be in accumulating vast merits through the power group practice in order to gain swift spiritual progress. The very kind Garchen Rinpoche has taught during this Mani Retreat that Altruistic Bodhicitta is the cause for Enlightenment, and Altruistic Bodhicitta could only be achieved by letting go of our attachment and aversion which arise due to our tendency to cherish ourselves more than we cherish others. He taught that this very belief that there is a ‘self’ for us to protect is the cause of our Samsaric bonds. The above are some of the teachings and advice that Garchen Rinpoche has given and I have written in the way that I have understood them. Please read through and analyse them yourself to see if they make any sense to you. By considering my limitations and sincerity in sharing the teachings and advice that I have received from Garchen Rinpoche, please kindly forgive me if I have made any mistakes. Kind Dharma Friend, Mee Kuen, has informed me of a 100 Million Mani Recitation Pledge Campaign. Please click on the links below for the details: http://www.thedailyenlightenment.com/temp/103.jpg January 06 Mani Puja in KL & PenangDate : 11 - 15 January 2008
MANI PUJA IN KL For World Peace & Prosperity Dont' Think... Just Recite H.E.Garchen Rinpoche & Minam Rinpoche Venue: Chinese Assembly Hall, Kuala Lumpur Organizer: Ratnashri Buddhist Centre Contact persons :Lau Choo Seng 012-22187938 Michael Lim 016-2028088 Mooi Leng 012-2151389 -------------------------------------------------------------------- MANI PUJA in PENANG 25-27 January, 2008 Contact Person : Bro Lau - 019-4474355 January 03 H.E. Drubwang Rinpoche's passing away and teachings
In the OM Retreat 2007 at KMSPKS in Singapore which ended on 2 Jan 2008, when answering a retreatant's question, the leading Lama H.E. Garchen Rinpoche has no doubt that H.E. Drubwang Rinpoche is an enlightened being.
Drubwang Rinpoche has chosen to pass into Nirvana in Singapore on the auspicious date that many other great masters have also done so in the past, the decision is purely by Himself and as to why He wished to do it here? Garchen Rinpoche answered with 3 main reasons:
1) Firstly, Drubwang Rinpoche wish to show Impermenance.
2) Secondly, He has expressed that He has samaya connections with followers in Singapore.
3) Thirdly, He wish that the OM Retreat in Singapore can be continued every year to as long as possible to benefit as many beings as possible.
Below is the extracts of teachings of His Eminence Drubwang Konchog Norbu Rinpoche given then at Karma Choying Kunkhyab Ling, Singapore, in 1998 / 99.
"Life or death, to me, is the same.
Light or darkness, to me, is the same.
Morning or night, to me, is the same.
My mind is not the same like you, sentient beings.
Although I may look like all of you externally,
Internally, I am not like ordinary beings at all !!"
"I have realised the Mahamudra -- the ultimate Nature of Reality.
And the first person whom i saw after i realised Mahamudra is His Holiness the Dalai Lama....."
"I have informed His Holiness that I wanted to show nirvana. But His Holiness wants me to stay on for the good of beings and Dharma. I cannot refuse His Holiness. His Holiness told me that my "time has come to benefit others". Therefore, i have agreed to stay in this world for about another 10 years or so. All these will depend on karma and merit...... Everything then has happened exactly like what His Holiness had told me. .... !!"
His Eminence Drubwang Konchog Norbu Rinpoche
( Extract of Teachings given then at Karma Choying Kunkhyab Ling, Singapore, 1998 / 99 )
To learn more about this Great Master's teachings, u can attend the discussions conducted by the adviser at Karma Choying Kunyab Ling tomorrow, details:
December 26 Pay Respect to H.E. Drubwang RinpocheOM MANI PADME HUNG..........
Those who wish to pay respect to H.E. Drubwang Rinpoche can do so today from 3pm - 11pm at Singapore Kong Meng San Phor Kark See temple 10000 Pagoda Hall 1st floor, lamas will fly Rincpoche's body back to Nepal tomorrow.
OM MANI PADME HUNG.......... November 26 Talking about Singapore Tara Buddhist Centre: Membership Drive
Quote Singapore Tara Buddhist Centre: Membership Drive Singapore Tara Buddhist Centre: Membership DriveTara Buddhist Centre: Membership Drive
 To celebrate Tara Buddhist Centre’s 10th Anniversary in 2008, we are embarking on a membership drive to enrol new members who are keen to develop their understanding and enhance their practice of the Dharma. New members are most welcome to assist in organising the various Dharma propagation activities planned by the Centre. If you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Ms Tan at 97578333.
Details: http://www.tarabc.org/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=24&Itemid=94
Tara Buddhist Cetre: 2008 Shrine SponsorshipTara Buddhist Centre: 2008 Shrine Sponsorship
The 2008 Annual Shrine Sponsorship Program to support the maintenance of the Mother Tara Wish-Fulfilling Shrine, Manjushri Shrine of Wisdom and Medicine Buddha Shrine of Healing is open for participation. Kindly complete the sponsorship form if you wish to participate in this meritorious deed.
TORMA MAKING & CHODPON COURSE & Dharma ProgramTORMA MAKING & CHODPON COURSE
Course Commencement Date : 1st December 2007 Course Fees : S$50 for non members & S$40 for members (including the purchase of materials for torma making.) The course date will be as follows: 01/12/07, Sat, 8pm - 9.30pm 05/12/07, Wed, 8pm - 9.30pm 12/12/07, Wed, 8pm - 9.30pm 15/12/07, Sat, 8pm - 9.30pm 22/12/07, Sat, 8pm - 9.30pm 26/12/07, Wed, 8pm - 9.30pm Tormas (Sanskrit: bali(ng), meaning sacrifice) are sacred ritual offering cakes that can be used as food offering at the shrine or used during pujas to represent deities. During pujas, it is common to see the Chodpon bringing tormas out of shrine halls to leave in an area for offering or on special occasion the torma is broken up and distributed among the participants of the pujas to eat during tsog offering. Materials used in tormas are not fixed; shapes, sizes and color also varies, depending on the deity the torma represents and the use of the torma in pujas. Chodpon are those who are in charge of the offering during a puja. They ensure that all the necessary offerings needed for the puja are prepared. During the puja, they have to know when to bring the necessary items needed to the vajra master or to bring the tormas out of the shrine. The Torma Making & Chodpon course duration is 1 month. ======================================================================================================
Dharma Program by Khenpo Losal Tenzin
14-12-2007 7.30pm-9.30pm Commentary by Chandrakirti:
Friday “Entering the Middle Way” 15-12-2007 2.30pm-5.30pm Commentary by Chandrakirti:
Saturday 7.30pm-9.30pm “Entering the Middle Way” 16-12-2007 2.00pm-6.00pm Commentary by Chandrakirti:
Sunday “Entering the Middle Way” 20-12-2007 2.00pm-6.00pm Commentary by Chandrakirti:
Thursday “Entering the Middle Way” 21-12-2007 7.30pm-9.30pm Commentary by Chandrakirti:
Friday “Entering the Middle Way” 22-12-2007 2.30pm-5.30pm Commentary by Chandrakirti:
Saturday 7.30pm-9.30pm “Entering the Middle Way” 23-12-2007 2.00pm-6.00pm Commentary by Chandrakirti:
Sunday “Entering the Middle Way” Please also refer to http://www.kckl. org/event. html
*All are welcome*
------------ --------- --------- --------- ------- Karma Choying Kunkyab Ling
Yeo's Building
2 Telok Blangah Street 31, Singapore Tel: 62747800 Fax: 62719736 November 09 Asian Civilisations MuseumAsian Civilisations Museum:
Buddhist Exhibition and screening
November 07 Sakya Tenphel Ling: 9 days Grand Medicine Buddha Lamp Offering / Puja with Sand MandalaDetails at:
The Centre will be organizing a Grand Medicine Buddha Lamp Offering and Puja from 2nd Nov to 11th Nov 2007. A Medicine Buddha Sand Mandala will be displayed together with a well-decorated Medicine Buddha Shrine. The Puja will be conducted by qualified Lamas from Nepal together with our Centre members. H.H Sakya Trizin will grace the occasion on 11th November.
We cordially invite your participation and attendance. Viewing of the Medicine Buddha Mandala and Shrine All are welcome to view and circumambulate the Medicine Buddha Mandala. Lamp Offerings Thousands of lamp offerings to The Medicine Buddha will be lighted for 7 days continuously from 4th November to 11th November. A) Individual Lamp $20
D) Sponsor Lamp $200 Fees for daily lamp offering are :
The Medicine Buddha Puja Apart from the lamp offerings, this year Medicine Buddha Puja will be a 9-day grand affair. Performed by the members of the sangha with lay participation, it will have a very special impact on the participants during the 9 days of ritual. Their names will be visualized and blessed by the Medicine Buddha everyday during the Puja. So we encourage all to join in for maintaining our health and especially beneficial for those with physical or mental ailments. The fees for the 9 days Grand Medicine Buddha Puja are as follows:
Kindly register your name and contact the Office for participation in the Lamp Offering and the Puja ( please download Registration Form, follow the link above or bottom ) Performing the act of giving; meeting His Holiness We encourage and appeal to all well-wishers and devotees to donate and sponsor generously to this Medicine Buddha event without any stain of miserliness. Perfecting the act of giving will accumulate enormous merit. Please inform and encourage your friends and acquaintances to attend this Grand event especially on the 11th November 07 Sunday which will be graced by His Holiness The Sakya Trizin. This day will be very auspicious, in which His Holiness is invited specially for the ending of the occasion. There will be a free vegetarian lunch for all, and a special long life ritual dedicated to him. We take this opportunity to welcome everyone, members or non members to meet together this day in the presence of His Holiness for a joyous closing ceremony of this grand Medicine Buddha Celebration. Making lamp offering We encourage all those who present on this day (i.e. 11 Nov Sun) to make a one day lamp offering for this auspicious occasion with His Holiness. Group chanting with the lamas Members of the Centre and the Public are invited to participate in the Medicine Buddha Puja. Group chanting with the Lamas conducted during the 9-days Puja session. A tentative program is attached for your easy reference. November 05 Lati Rinpoche's Programme at SuntecLatest update on Lati Rinpoche's Programme at Suntec. Pls go to http://www.drophenling.com/
There'll be a 4 day puja at Suntec. October 25 His Holiness' Speech at the Congressional Gold Medal Award CeremonyHis Holiness' Speech at the Congressional Gold Medal Award CeremonySouce： http://www.dalailama.com/news.171.htm President Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Speaker Pelosi, Senator Bryd, my fellow Laureate Elie Wiesel, Honorable Members of Congress, Brothers and Sisters. It is a great honor for me to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. This recognition will bring tremendous joy and encouragement to the Tibetan people, for whom I have a special responsibility. Their welfare is my constant motivation and I always consider myself as their free spokesperson. I believe that this award also sends a powerful message to those many individuals who are dedicated to promoting peace, understanding and harmony. On a personal note, I am deeply touched that this great honor has been given to me, a Buddhist monk born of a simple family from the remote Amdo region of Tibet. As a child I grew up under the loving care of my mother, a truly compassionate woman. And after my arrival in Lhasa at the age of four, all the people around me, my teachers and even the housekeepers, taught me what it means to be kind, honest, and caring. It is in such an environment that I grew up. Later my formal education in Buddhist thought exposed me to concepts such as interdependence and the human potential for infinite compassion. It is these that gave me a profound recognition of the importance of universal responsibility, nonviolence, and inter-religious understanding. Today, it is a conviction in these values that gives me the powerful motivation to promote basic human values. Even in my own struggle for the rights and greater freedom of the Tibetan people, these values continue to guide my commitment to pursuing a nonviolent path.
I have had the honor to be in this hall once before when I visited your country in 1991. Many of the faces that welcomed me then, I can see today, which gives me great joy. Many have retired and some are sadly no longer with us. However, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize their kindness and contribution. Our American friends have stood with us in the most critical of times and undermost the intense pressure.
Mr. President, thank you for your strong support, and for the warm friendship that Mrs. Bush and you have extended to me personally. I am deeply grateful to you for your sympathy and support for Tibet, and your firm stand on religious freedom and the cause of democracy.
Madam Speaker, you have not only extended an unwavering support to me and the just cause of the Tibetan people, you have also worked hard to promote the cause of democracy, freedom and the respect for human rights in other parts of the world. For this, I would like to offer my special thanks.
The consistency of American support for Tibet has not gone unnoticed in China. Where this has caused some tension in the US-China relations, I feel a sense of regret. Today, I wish to share with you all my sincere hope that the future of Tibet and China will move beyond mistrust to a relationship based on mutual respect, trust and recognition of common interests.
Today we watch China as it rapidly moves forward. Economic liberalization has led to wealth, modernization and great power. I believe that today’s economic success of both India and China, the two most populated nations with long history of rich culture, is most deserving. With their new found status, both of these two countries are poised to play an important leading role on the world stage. I n order to fulfill this role, I believe it is vital for China to have transparency, rule of law and freedom of information. Much of the world is waiting to see how China’s concepts of ‘harmonious society’ and ‘peaceful rise’ would unfold. Today’s China, being a state of many nationalities, a key factor here would be how it ensures the harmony and unity of these various peoples. For this, the equality and the rights of its nationalities to maintain their distinct identities are crucial.
With respect to my own homeland Tibet, today many people, both from inside and outside, feel deeply concerned about the consequences of the rapid change taking place. Every year, the Chinese population inside Tibet is increasing at an alarming rate. And, if we are to judge by the example of the population of Lhasa, there is a real danger that the Tibetans will be reduced to an insignificant minority in their own homeland. This rapid increase in population combined also posing serious threat to Tibet’s fragile environment. Being the source of many of Asia’s great rivers, any substantial disturbance in Tibet’s ecology will impact the lives of hundreds of millions. Furthermore, being situated between India and China, the peaceful resolution of the Tibet problem also has important implications for lasting peace and friendly relation between these two great neighbors.
On the future of Tibet, let me take this opportunity to restate categorically that I am not seeking independence. I am seeking a meaningful autonomy for the Tibetan people within the People’s Republic of China. If the real concern of the Chinese leadership is the unity and stability of PRC, I have fully addressed their concerns. I have chosen to adopt this position because I believe, given the obvious benefits especially in economic development, this would be in the best interest of the Tibetan people. Furthermore, I have no intention of using any agreement on autonomy as a stepping stone for Tibet’s independence.
I have conveyed these thoughts to successive Chinese leaders. In particular, following the renewal of direct contact with the Chinese government in 2002, I have explained these in detail through my envoys. Despite all this, Beijing continues to allege that my ‘hidden agenda’ is separation and restoration of Tibet’s old socio-political system. Such a notion is unfounded and untrue. Even in my youth, when I was compelled to take on the full responsibility of governance, I began to initiate fundamental changes in Tibet. Unfortunately, these were interrupted because of the political upheavals that took place. Nevertheless, following our arrival in India as refugees, we have democratized our political system and adopted a democratic charter that sets guidelines for our exile administration.
Even our political leadership is now directly chosen by the people on a five-year term basis. Moreover, we have been able to preserve and practice most of the important aspects of our culture and spirituality in exile. This is due largely to the kindness of India and its people.
Another major concern of the Chinese government is its lack of legitimacy in Tibet. While I cannot rewrite the past, a mutually agreeable solution could bring legitimacy, and I am certainly prepared to use my position and influence among the Tibetan people to bring consensus on this question. So I would also like to restate here that I have no hidden agenda. My decision not to accept any political office in a future Tibet is final.
The Chinese authorities assert that I harbor hostility towards China and that I actively seek to undermine China?s welfare. This is totally untrue. I have always encouraged world leaders to engage with China; I have supported China’s entry into WTO and the awarding of summer Olympics to Beijing. I chose to do so with the hope that China would become a more open, tolerant and responsible country.
A major obstacle in our ongoing dialogue has been the conflicting perspectives on the current situation inside Tibet. So in order to have a common understanding of the real situation, my envoys in their sixth meeting with their Chinese counterparts suggested that we be given an opportunity to send study groups to look at the actual reality on the ground, in the spirit of ‘seeking truth from facts’. This could help both sides to move beyond each other’s contentions.
The time has now come for our dialogue with the Chinese leadership to progress towards the successful implementation of a meaningful autonomy for Tibet, as guaranteed in the Chinese constitution and detailed in the Chinese State Council ‘White Paper on Regional Ethnic Autonomy of Tibet’. Let me take this opportunity to once again appeal to the Chinese leadership to recognize the grave problems in Tibet, the genuine grievances and deep resentments of the Tibetan people inside Tibet, and to have the courage and wisdom to address these problems realistically in the spirit of reconciliation. To you, my American friends, I appeal to you to make every effort to seek ways to help convince the Chinese leadership of my sincerity and help make our dialogue process move forward.
Since you have recognized my efforts to promote peace, understanding and nonviolence, I would like to respectfully share a few related thoughts. I believe this is precisely the time that the United States must increase its support to those efforts that help bring greater peace, understanding and harmony between peoples and cultures. As a champion of democracy and freedom, you must continue to ensure the success of those endeavors aimed at safeguarding basic human rights in the world. Another area where we need US leadership is environment. As we all know, today our earth is definitely warming up and many scientists tell us that our own action is to a large part responsible. So each one of us must, in whatever way we can, use our talents and resources to make a difference so that we can pass on to our future generations a planet that is at least safe to live on.
Many of world’s problems are ultimately rooted in inequality and injustice, whether economic, political or social. Ultimately, this is a question of the well-being of all of us. Whether it is the suffering of poverty in one part of the world, or whether it is the denial of freedom and basic human rights in another part, we should never perceive these events in total isolation. Eventually their repercussions will be felt everywhere. I would like to appeal to you to take a leadership role in an effective international action in addressing this huge economic imbalance. I believe the time has now come to address all these global issues from the perspective of the oneness of humanity, and from a profound understanding of the deeply interconnected nature of our today’s world.
In conclusion, on behalf of six million Tibetan people, I wish to take this opportunity to recognize from the depth of my heart the support extended to us by the American people and their government. Your continued support is critical. I thank you once again for the high honor that you have bestowed on me today. Thank you. Published: 18th of October 2007 - 22:24:20 Modified: 18th of October 2007 - 22:23:24 Honoring His Holiness the 14th Dalai LamaHonoring His Holiness the 14th Dalai LamaEditorial - The Boston Globe, 17 October 2007
President Bush is presenting the Congressional Gold Medal to the Dalai Lama today, a gesture that has already caused friction in US-China relations. The gesture is well worth making. But its full value will not be realized unless it becomes a step toward a fruitful dialogue between Chinese leaders and the Dalai Lama's representatives on forging a meaningful autonomy for Tibet. Ideally, Bush and members of Congress who voted to confer this honor on the Dalai Lama would also absorb something of the exiled spiritual leader's deeply held beliefs on nonviolence and compassion. This would be a symbolic dimension of the event that has nothing to do with China. It would imply serious meditation by America's political leaders on the resort to war, the threat from climate change brought about by greenhouse gases, and tolerance for differences in the family of man. China's foreign minister, Yang Jiechi, has voiced China's "resolute opposition" to the award, and he warned that if China's objections are ignored, today's ceremony in the Capital Rotunda could have an "extremely serious impact" on relations between Beijing and Washington. The Communist Party boss for the Tibet region, Zang Quingli, was even less diplomatic. "If the Dalai Lama can receive such an award," he said, "there must be no justice or good people in the world." These angry complaints and threats from Chinese officials can only be properly understood against the background of a persistent propaganda line that they unfailingly repeat about the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. Despite the well-known public statements of the Dalai Lama sincerely supporting a solution of Tibetan autonomy within a unified China, Chinese authorities go on insisting that his talk about a greater degree of autonomy for Tibet is a devious subterfuge and that the Dalai Lama is in reality a "splittist" who wants to separate an independent Tibet from the Chinese motherland. The autonomy that representatives of the Dalai Lama have been proposing in intermittent discussions with Chinese officials would include a right of Tibetans to administer their own monasteries and religious institutions, to preserve their distinct language, and to have some control over the education of Tibetans in Tibet. The reality is that Tibetans will not accept China's harsh colonization policy. The best hope for the future may lie in meetings like a conference on "Autonomy in Tibet" that will bring together Chinese and Tibetan scholars at Harvard next month. Tibetan culture has recently become a subject of great interest for young people in China. Enlightened Chinese leaders should realize that it is in their national interest to respect and preserve the autonomy and uniqueness of Tibet. Published: 18th of October 2007 - 22:16:35 Modified: 18th of October 2007 - 22:16:19 |
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