Privileged to organize a public talk featuring former political prisoner Dhondup Wangchen la, alongside four prominent NGOs. Witnessing his unwavering dedication and sacrifices for the cause was truly inspiring.
— Sonam (Sonsnow) (@Sonsnow6) July 10, 2023
I am truly moved and encouraged to hold my head high for freedom. pic.twitter.com/sbIpKZoEvB
Value in life!
“What’s truly of value in life? what gives our lives meaning? We weren’t born to cause trouble or harm. To be of value, we must develop basic good human qualities—warmth, kindness, compassion. Then our life will become happier and more meaningful.”
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Celebrating His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s Birthday: Tibetan Resilience and Devotion Amidst Restrictions
Introduction:
We have a deep and strong connection with our leader, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, who holds immense significance in our fight for freedom and the preservation of our rich culture. However, under Chinese rule, Tibetans in Tibet face limitations on their religious and cultural practices, including restrictions on publicly commemorating significant events related to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Restrictions and Challenges Faced by Tibetans in Tibet:
Under Chinese rule, Tibetans are unable to openly display images of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama or publicly celebrate his birthday. Such restrictions have created an environment where observing His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s birthday openly is seen as an act of defiance against Chinese authorities. These restrictions are part of the Chinese government’s policy towards Tibet, which has been forcefully imposed for the past six decades.
Finding Ways to Honor and Celebrate:
Despite the restrictions, Tibetans in Tibet have found creative ways to honor and celebrate His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s birthday. Symbolic mediums, such as offering butter lamps and Sangsols on high hills and mountains, are some of the common ways to demonstrate their devotion. As the Chinese began to impose more tighter rules and regulations, Tibetans express their wishes for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s well-being by posting the numeric representation of his age and symbols like his hat, hands, and slippers.
Resilience and Faith of the Tibetan People:
The resilience and unwavering faith of Tibetans in the face of adversity are their greatest strengths. Despite physical constraints and mental torture imposed by Chinese authorities, they maintain deep trust in Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and his leadership. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s message of hope and resilience resonates with Tibetans around the world, serving as a symbol of inspiration.
Expressions of Devotion:
Tibetans express their devotion through heartfelt messages alongside images of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s hand. One message translates to “Long live the lifeline of the snow land, the Symbol of Peace,” while another conveys birthday wishes on his 88th birthday. These expressions reflect the deep reverence and longing for his safe return to a free Tibet.
Conclusion:
The restrictions faced by Tibetans in Tibet regarding the celebration and expression of their devotion to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama highlight the ongoing struggle for freedom and cultural preservation. Despite these challenges, Tibetans in Tibet find alternative ways to honor and celebrate the auspicious occasions of their root guru. The unwavering faith and resilience of the Tibetan people serve as a testament to their deep spiritual connection and their commitment to the cause of Tibetan freedom.
Happy 88th Birthday Your Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
His message of love and compassion divine,
Unites humanity, transcending the line.
Across colours and creeds, he fosters unity,
Spreading harmony with unwavering serenity.
His smile, a beacon of hope, shining bright,
Guiding souls through darkness, with gentle light.
Countless lives touched, hearts filled with bliss,
His radiant smile, a celestial kiss.
May he continue to live long, we pray,
For better and brighter days, each step of the way.
His wisdom and guidance, a beacon so strong,
Leading us forward, righting the wrong.
With each passing year, his light does shine,
A symbol of hope, in a world sometimes unkind.
His presence, a blessing, a gift to us all,
A source of inspiration, standing tall.
Your Holiness, on this special day, I extend my heartfelt wishes for a joyous 88th birthday. May you be blessed with good health and longevity, enabling you to bring profound benefits to all sentient beings. Your message of love and compassion has the power to unite humanity across diverse backgrounds, transcending differences and fostering harmony.
Your radiant smile has the ability to illuminate the lives of countless sentient beings, spreading light and hope in the world. May your smile continue to touch the hearts of people far and wide.
Once again, Happy 88th Birthday, Your Holiness. May your path be filled with abundant blessings and continue to inspire and transform lives.
Human Intelligence
“As human beings we are all the same. We have this marvellous intelligence, which sometimes creates problems for us, but when influenced by warm-heartedness it can be really creative and helpful. This is the context in which having moral principles is of such great value.”
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Prostration for the World Peace
Ven. Kalsang Tenzin, a dedicated monk hailing from Amdo, embarked on an extraordinary pilgrimage in 2008. His journey took him from his homeland to India via Nepal, with the noble intention of promoting world peace. Motivated by the rich Tibetan tradition of prostrate pilgrimage, Ven. Kalsang Tenzin embraced the arduous path as a means of deepening his devotion and spiritual growth.
The Tibetan people hold profound reverence for their leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Many Tibetans from the Kham and Amdo regions undertake pilgrimages to Lhasa, yearning for a glimpse of His Holiness Dalai Lama’s seat in the magnificent Potala Palace and to pay homage to the sacred sites in the area. Additionally, groups of Tibetans embark on pilgrimages to sacred places like Mount Kailash, forming strong bonds with one another under the name of “Choedruk.”
Reflecting on my own childhood, I recall a time when my parents embarked on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, leaving me in the care of my grandmother and other relatives. In their absence, I diligently tended to the family’s yaks and sheep, hoping that the merit gained from my parents’ sacred journey would also extend to me. As fate would have it, my hopes came to fruition, and now I find myself able to visit the holy sites in India and receive the blessings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. In gratitude, I fervently wish for my prayers and blessings to reach my parents in return.
After an arduous nine-month journey from Bodhgaya to Dharamshala by covering more than 2000 km, Ven Kalsang Tenzin finally arrived at his destination—the Dalai Lama’s temple in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala. Overwhelmed with emotions, he prostrated himself three times at the residence gate of His Holiness 14th Dalai Lama. Then he proceeded to the main temple, where he offered heartfelt prayers for the well-being of all sentient beings and the attainment of global peace. The fulfillment of his long-awaited dream brought tears of joy, gratitude, and deep spiritual fulfillment to his eyes.
Kalsang Tenzin’s extraordinary journey and his arrival at the Dalai Lama’s temple symbolize his unwavering devotion to the spiritual path he has chosen. Through his pilgrimage, he manifests his commitment to promoting peace in the world. His prayers, accompanied by tears born from both joy and compassion, reverberate with a heartfelt hope that peace will prevail on Earth, benefiting all sentient beings.
Long term Friends
“Every morning when I wake up, I dedicate myself to helping others to find peace of mind. Then, when I meet people, I think of them as long term friends; I don’t regard others as strangers.”
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Positive approach!
“A fundamentally positive approach is to take account of the oneness of humanity. Dividing the world into ‘us’ and ‘them’ might have worked in the past, but it doesn’t any more. We have to talk through our problems with our opponents, thinking of them as our fellow human beings.”
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Cultivate Compassion
“In today’s world, despite ample material development, too many lack inner peace. One way to counter anger, jealousy and competitiveness is to cultivate non-violence and compassion towards others.”
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Optimism
“Optimism does not mean being blind to the actual reality of a situation. It means maintaining a positive spirit to continue to seek a solution to any given problem. And it means recognizing that any given situation has many different aspects—positive as well as problematic.”
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama