We believe that with everybody's help we will be able to save many elements of an ancient civilization and culture, whose philosophy shares common grounds with ancient Greek philosophy. So, the idea for the 1st Pan-European Festival for Tibetan Culture was born, based on the presentation of the day-to-day life of Tibetans expressed through fine arts.
The Dalai Lama leans on Richard Moore’s shoulder during an interactive session with students at the Tibetan Children’s Village School in Dharamshala, India, on 5 May 2010. Richard Moore, 48, the founder of the charity ‘Children in Crossfire’, was blinded by a rubber bullet fired at point blank range into his face by a British soldier in 1972. Moore had not only forgiven the soldier who fired the rubber bullet, but he had also befriended him. The Dalai Lama called him “My hero” and said that he should be considered for a Nobel Peace Prize.Tibet Sun/Lobsang Wangyal/India
The Tibetan Village Project is a non-profit and non-political organization dedicated to alleviating poverty in Tibet through healthcare, education and other sustainable development projects that empower Tibetans to live self-sufficient lives.
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Thank you Switzerland, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama
For photos: visit www.tibetoffice.ch Zurich – 8 April: His Holiness the Dalai Lama thanked the Swiss Government, Red Cross and the people, local governments, organisations and individual for their generous assistance to Tibetans for the last five decades. “It is our Tibetan culture and tradition to thank those who help us. Therefore, I would like to express our gratitude to you”, said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Looking back last 51 years, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said there have been both sad and happy moments, sometimes no hope, sometimes some hope and at times with more confidence. He said that during difficult times, there is the good nature of human beings to show solidarity and help. He acknowledged the work of Dr. Toni Hagen, the initiator of the Tibetan settlement project.
Dr. Katrin Hagen, the daughter of late Dr. Hagen spoke about her father’s work with the Tibetan refugee project. The former director of Pestalozzi’s Children Village in Trogen, Mr. Arthur Bill emotionally spoke about his first contacts with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the education of young boys and girls at Trogen.
Mrs. Sigrid Joss-Arnd, a former staff of the Red Cross who was involved with the resettlement of the Tibetans since the early 1960 said, “I was extremely relieved to hear that His Holiness the Dalai Lama had safely crossed into India in 1959.”
In October 1960, 20 Tibetans boys and girls arrived for education at the Pestalozzi’s Children Village in Trogen, Switzerland. The Swiss Government on 29 March 1963 approved the re-settlement of 1,000 Tibetans. Tibetans were the first non-European refugees in Switzerland. Today there are about 4,000 Tibetans living in Switzerland. (more…)
Today marks the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan people’s peaceful uprising in 1959 against Communist China’s repression in Tibet, as well as the second anniversary of the peaceful protests that erupted across Tibet in March 2008. On this occasion, I pay homage to those heroic Tibetan men and women, who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet, and pray for an early end to the sufferings of those still oppressed in Tibet. Despite the great hardships Tibetans have faced for many decades, they have been able to keep up their courage and determination, preserve their compassionate culture and maintain their unique identity. It is inspiring that today a new generation of Tibetans continues to keep Tibet’s just cause alive. I salute the courage of those Tibetans still enduring fear and oppression. Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, it is the responsibility of all Tibetans to maintain equality, harmony and unity among the various nationalities, while continuing to protect our unique identity and culture. Many Tibetans in Tibetan areas are working in various responsible posts in the party, government and military, helping Tibetans in whatever way they can. We recognise the positive contribution that many of them have made up to now, and obviously when Tibet achieves meaningful autonomy in the future, they will have to continue to fulfil such responsibilities. (more…)
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Attends Religious Ceremonies on Tibetan New Year
February 14, 2010
Dharamshala -- His Holiness the Dalai Lama presided over religious
ceremonies at the main Buddhist temple in Dharamshala this morning,
marking Losar or the "Year 2137 of the Iron-Tiger" of Tibetan calender.
Later, His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivered a brief address to
thousands of Tibetans gathered for the ceremony.
His Holiness offered greetings to Tibetans living inside and outside
Tibet and people of the Himalayan region who share same culture and
religion as Tibetans. His Holiness extended his good wishes and
gratitude to the international community for taking interest in and
supporting the just cause of Tibetans.
"Despite facing great problems in Tibet for many years, the Tibetan
people living inside have shown indomitable courage and sincerity in
standing up to the situation," said His Holiness the Dalai Lama. (more…)
Envoy Kelsang Gyaltsen and I, accompanied by two members of our Task Force, Tenzin P. Atisha and Bhuchung K. Tsering, and Jigmey Passang from the Task Force Secretariat, visited China from January 26 to 31, 2010, for the ninth round of discussions with representatives of the Chinese leadership. This round was held after a gap of 15 months. We returned to Dharamsala on February 1, 2010 and have formally reported today to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche, as well as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
In Beijing, we had a session with Mr. Du Qinglin, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference as well as Minister of the Central United Front Work Department, on January 30. We had a day-long discussion with Executive Vice Minister Zhu Weiqun and Vice Minister Sithar on January 31, 2010. Mr. Nyima Tsering, a Vice Chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Congress, also participated in these meetings.
We first arrived in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, on January 26, 2010. Before beginning our programmes there, we formally presented to the Central United Front Work Department, a Note relating to the Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for All Tibetans that we had given during the previous eighth round of dialogue in November 2008. The Note contained seven points that addressed the fundamental issues raised by the Chinese leadership during the eighth round and some constructive suggestions for a way forward in the dialogue process. The seven points include respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of the PRC, respecting the Constitution of the PRC, respecting the “Three Adherences,” respecting the hierarchy and authority of the Chinese Central Government, Concerns raised by the Central Government on specific competencies referred to the Memorandum, recognising the core issue, and offering His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s cooperation for a mutually beneficial solution. (more…)
In the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, the holiday begins on the 29th day of the 12th Tibetan month. During the holiday which usually lasts one week in urban areas of Lhasa and two weeks in the countryside, new clothes are made, houses and monasteries alike are cleaned from top to bottom, various shapes of kase (fried wheat twists) are made, and walls are painted.
The family’s best carpets and finest silver are also brought out. The Eight Auspicious Symbols, which appear as protective motifs throughout Tibetan-populated areas, are painted in strategic locations. Butter lamps are lit. Flowers are placed on altars. Piles of juniper, cedar, rhododendron, and other fragrant branches are prepared for burning as incense. On Tibetan New Year’s Eve, the family gather around a steaming hot pot of dumpling soup called gortu. Some of the dumplings have surprises wrapped in them. As the meal begins, each person opens one of these special dumplings. The object one finds will indicate, much like a fortune cookie, that person’s personality. If one finds salt, that is a good sign and means that one is all right; the one who finds wool is very lazy; coal indicates maliciousness; a white stone foretells a long life; pepper means that one has a glib tongue. Everyone takes what is left in their bowl and dumps it back into the pot, as well as a piece of hair, a fingernail, and an old piece of clothing at the end of the meal. A dough effigy which represents the collective evil and ill will of the past 12 months is made and put in on top of everything else. (more…)
I am saddened by the Chinese Government sentencing Liu Xiaobo, a well-known Chinese writer, to an 11-year jail term.
By sentencing Liu Xiaobo and others like him, who use freedom of expression to publicly articulate their opinions, the Chinese authorities have not only violated the binding principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also the freedom of expression mentioned in the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China.
I urge the Chinese Government to release, as soon as possible, Liu Xiaobo and other political prisoners who were jailed for exercising their freedom of expression.
I offer my regards and prayers to Mr. Liu Xiaobo, his wife and other family members.
