ΦΙΛΟΙ ΤΟΥ ΘΙΒΕΤ

Today marks the forty-ninth anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama's outstanding efforts to transform the nature of Tibetan
polity into a genuine democracy. On this auspicious occasion, the
Kashag — as a way of expressing its immense gratitude to His
Holiness for his gift of democracy to us Tibetans — makes obeisance
to him. The Kashag also extends its affectionate greetings to the
Tibetans inside and outside Tibet; to the governments, parliaments,
peoples and the Tibet support groups who are supportive of Tibet
and the Tibetans; as well as to all the peace-loving people cross
the globe.

During the past 49 years, a great change — political, economic and
social — has taken place across the world, including in Tibet and
China. Tibetan democracy has also kept pace with this global trend
for change and progressed over the years. The highest organ of
Tibetan democracy, the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), has been
elected 14 times and the political leadership or the Kalon Tripa
twice by the general Tibetan populace thus far. Hence, going by the
conditions as set forth in the Charter of the Tibetans in Exile,
our democracy has today become complete both institutionally and
system wise. Moreover, the fact that the Tibetan people at the
grassroots level are now able to effectively participate in all
processes of democracy, including the periodical elections, has
become something that the peoples and communities across the world
covet. Particularly, during the preliminary opinion poll that was
conducted in 1996 as well as during the last year’s special meeting
convened under Article 59 of the charter, Tibetans at the
grassroots level freely exercised their individual freedoms to
correctly determine — without being swayed by hearsay — the short-
and long-term aspirations of the Tibetan people as a whole. This —
being a clear indication of the maturity of democratic culture
among the Tibetan people — has not only gone a long way in
fulfilling the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama but it also
serves as a source of great encouragement for those of us in the
leadership. The Kashag would like to, therefore, express its
sincere appreciation to all of the Tibetan people for this.

In order for us to attain greater heights towards true democracy,
these conditions are indispensable: education of the people;
intellectual freedom; awareness of and understanding/tolerance
among the various viewpoints, positions and ideologies; wisdom to
distinguish between what is right and what is wrong by eschewing
narrow parochialism, etc. Not only is it important that these
conditions be improved further but it is also all the more
important indeed to be able to choose institution over individuals
and duties over rights by judiciously applying the Buddhist concept
of the Four Reliances.

In today’s time, the rate at which the political, economical and
societal changes taking place globally as well as in Tibet and
China, it is difficult to predict the future about anything.
Therefore, all the Tibetan people inside and outside Tibet must
tread cautiously so that we do not make mistakes and lose
opportunities.

Last year, the Tibetan people inside Tibet, even at the great risk
to their lives and properties, took out a peaceful protest and as a
consequence, a large number of Tibetan people had to undergo
extreme torture and loss of property. No doubt their sacrifices
will not go in vain and will contribute greatly to the realisation
of the cause of Tibet. The Kashag would like to appeal to all the
Tibetans that it is important for us now to see to it that we do
not put the lives of common people in danger and also make every
possible effort not to create any differences and animosity between
the Chinese and Tibetan nationals.

Under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan
people in exile everywhere are not only trying to improve
understanding with the Chinese people but we also express sympathy
and support to people affected by natural calamities wherever it
may be. This is in accordance with the tenets of the Buddha’s
teaching as well as the very nature of the Tibetan people. Last
year, when earthquake hit China’s Sichuan province, the Tibetan
people in exile did everything they could in terms of offering
prayers and contributing to the relief efforts. Moreover, His
Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his strong desire to visit the
affected areas to console and offer prayers but he could not visit
due to the political situation. Recently, when a typhoon hit
Taiwan, His Holiness the Dalai Lama immediately sent condolence
message and offered prayers for the victims and their families.
Following the request made by the people of Taiwan, His Holiness
the Dalai Lama is now there, visiting the affected areas and
providing spiritual comfort to the people living in these areas.
The spiritual service he is conducting in Taiwan is not only aimed
at the wellbeing of all sentient beings but also at the improvement
of relations between the Chinese and Tibetan peoples.

A time has, now, come for the third generation young Tibetans in
exile, who are equipped with both traditional and modern education,
to be able to take up political responsibilities. The Kashag
believes that they will be more responsible than ever before in the
political and administrative affairs of our society.

Finally, the Kashag prays for the long life of His Holiness the
Dalai Lama and the spontaneous fulfilment of all his wishes. May
the Tibetan people inside and outside Tibet be reunited to enjoy
the fruits of democratic freedom!

The Kashag

2 September 2009

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