The Director of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, introduces His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Kolkata, India, on December 1, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Taklha/OHHDL

Pointing out how India has a history of an ancient and sophisticated civilization compared with that of Greece and China, the Dalai Lama said Indians have traditionally been gurus and Tibetans chelas (disciples). "When I see some part of my guru being corrupt, as a chela I feel ashamed," he lamented.

Though the Tibetan spiritual leader did not make a reference to the movement launched by Team Anna and their insistence on a Jan Lok Pal bill, he said a better community could not be created by law and Parliament."Don't blame a few politicians for the ill that plagues the society. They are from done through individual actions. In order to act, one requires will power that can come through truth and conviction," he said. 

Urging students to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, the spiritual leader felt real transformation of India needed to start from rural areas instead of cities. "Please build this nation in a balanced way with a long term and holistic vision," the Dalai Lama said. 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his talk on "A Human Approach to World Peace" at the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, in Kolkata, India, on December 1, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Taklha/OHHDL

Recounting a recent interaction with Delhi University pro vice-chancellor, he said the latter was keen to start a course on moral ethics and felt other institutions needed to think on similar lines and teach the subject in a secular manner. "Indian gurus must take active role in promoting Ahimsa (non-violence) and religious harmony, first within the country and then outside. They must share ancient Indian teachings of Ahimsa and tolerance with rest of the world," he said, adding that not just people of different religion, even nonbelievers deserved respect. 

"I belong to 20th century. My generation is ready to say goodbye. Despite many positive developments, it was primary the century of war, nuclear weapon, untold misery and suffering. It is on the shoulders of the young generation of the 21st century that the responsibility of creating a new and healthy society rests," the Dalai Lama added. "A better world will not be achieved through prayers. It has to be done through individual actions. In order to act, one requires will power that can come through truth and conviction," he said.

Responding to a question, the Dalai Lama said Chinese officials sometimes behave childishly. "I look at people, including the Chinese, at a fundamental level in which everyone is human. These are no differences, from the way we are born to the way we die. But at times, the Chinese government calls me a demon. I may be a demon but not that bad a demon," he said, drawing laughter from the audience. 

Describing himself as a son of India, the spiritual leader said he owed his existence to the country in which he had sought exile in 1959. "All particles in my mind contain thoughts from Nalanda. And it is Indian dal and chapati that has built this body. I am mentally and physically a son of India," he said. 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting sisters from the Missionaries of Charity during his visit to Kolkata, India, on December 1, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Taklha/OHHDL

Criticizing the Chinese government for its paranoia over people who speak a different language, like Tibetans do, he pointed to India's existence despite its diversity. "I often tell Chinese friends to look at India to get rid of the fear that plurality will lead to secession. India has so many languages and dialects, yet remains strongly united because there is the freedom of speech and rule of law," he said. 

Apart from support from all over the world for an autonomous territory within China, the Dalai Lama claimed thousands of articles in Chinese published over the past couple of years had also recognized his stand as the ideal one to resolve the issue.

December 3rd 2011

New Delhi, India, 3 December 2011 (phayul.com) - His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the Dayawati Modi Award for Art, Culture and Education 2011 in the Indian capital New Delhi, Friday December 2nd, for his “contribution towards universal peace, tolerance and social justice”. "It is our honour to confer the award on His Holiness the Dalai Lama in recognition of his lifetime contribution towards universal peace, tolerance and social justice," Dayawati Modi Foundation president Satish Kumar Modi said.

Dharamsala, HP, India, 18 November 2011 - In a letter to the Prime Minister of Thailand, Her Excellency Yingluck Shinawatra, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his sadness and concern about loss of many lives and damage to property caused by the recent unprecedented floods in and around Bangkok.

His Holiness offered his condolences to the families that have lost loved ones and prayers for the deceased and others affected by the devastating floods.

As a token of sympathy and concern, a donation is being made from The Dalai Lama Trust to support relief work.

Published: April 27, 2011

NEW DELHI — Tibet’s exiled government announced the election of a Harvard legal scholar as its new prime minister on Wednesday, a choice signaling a generational shift within the Tibetan movement as the Dalai Lama moves to relinquish political power.  

The Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, has pursued a “middle way” strategy in which he seeks “genuine autonomy” for Tibet under Chinese rule, though many younger Tibetans want outright independence. It remains to be seen whether Mr. Sangay can emerge as an independent political force capable of rallying Tibetans inside and outside Tibet.

Last month, the Dalai Lama, 75, announced his desire to relinquish his role as political leader of the exile government. For years he has pushed to strengthen the democratic structure of the Tibetan movement, partly to build institutions capable of guiding the movement after his death. His “retirement” last month seemed timed to lend greater legitimacy to the new prime minister.

“A new generation born in exile has been elected,” said Thubten Samphel, a government spokesman. “It indicates that democracy has taken firm roots. These democratic structures will hold our community together for years to come.”

Mr. Samphel added that the Dalai Lama intended to fulfill his pledge to step away from his political role. “He will relinquish all his remaining links with the administration,” he said.

The Dalai Lama and many older Tibetan exiles were born inside Tibet and fled in 1959, after a failed uprising against Chinese rule. But Mr. Sangay is part of the younger generation born outside Tibet, many of whom are eager for a more confrontational approach with China.

Mukesh Gupta/Reuters

Lobsang Sangay, a senior fellow at Harvard Law School, was elected prime minister of the Tibetan government in exile. He will probably take his post this fall in Dharamsala, India.

According to his campaign Web site, Mr. Sangay was born in 1968 in a Tibetan refugee settlement in Darjeeling, India, the son of parents who fled Tibet in 1959. He attended the prestigious Delhi University in New Delhi, where he joined the local branch of the Tibetan Youth Congress, a student group that promotes Tibetan independence rather than the more moderate autonomy sought by the Dalai Lama.

Mr. Sangay has since embraced the Dalai Lama’s approach, though some analysts wonder whether he will try to change tack, even subtly. In 1995, Mr. Sangay moved to the United States as a Fulbright scholar and received graduate degrees at Harvard, where he is a senior fellow at Harvard Law School.

During the campaign, Mr. Sangay traveled to numerous countries to solicit votes and made stops at Tibetan refugee settlements across India. He will replace the current prime minister, Samdhong Rinpoche, whose five-year term is expected to end in August.

In his victory statement, Mr. Sangay framed his election as a mandate not only from exiled Tibetans but also from those still living inside Tibet under Chinese rule.

“Tibetans inside Tibet followed the elections closely,” he wrote, “and I heard accounts of Tibetans lighting butter lamps, praying and celebrating by bursting firecrackers.”

Khen Rinpoche with H.H. the Dalai Lama

Stanford Tibetan Language Program
together with the Buddhist Community at Stanford (BCAS)
and Stanford Friends of Tibet (SFoT)
Invites you to an evening of dialogue with Khen Rinpoche ( Lobzang Tsetan),
Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery -
Translated by Robert W. Clark, Coordinator of the Stanford Tibetan Language Program
Tuesday, May 17 - 5:00-6:45 PM
Old Union, 3rd Floor, Seminar Room
Khen Rinpoche, Lobzang Tsetan is a teacher of Buddhist philosophy and practice. He is
renowned in Tibet, India, and in Buddhist communities in the West for his deep and extensive
knowledge of Buddhist texts and traditions, and for his ability to relate with students and to
inspire their studies and practice. He will give a brief talk and will answer questions on any topic
related to Buddhist thought and practice, the history of Tibet and Ladakh, the Panchen Lama, and
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, etc. Please come with questions for Khen Rinpoche.
The Old Union is located at 520 Lasuen Mall on the Stanford campus
Link to Stanford Campus Maps & Directions

22^ND BIRTHDAY OF HIS HOLINESS THE 11^TH PANCHEN LAMA

GEDUN CHOEKYI NYIMA.

(25/04/2011)

Today -- April 25^th 2011, -- on the auspicious occasion of the 22^nd birth anniversary of His Holiness the 11^th Panchen Lama, Jetsun Tenzin Gedhun Yeshi Trinley Phuntsok Pal Sangpo, we at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, on behalf of the Tibetan people in Tibet and in exile, with great reverence extend innumerous good wishes to Him.

The Panchen Lama lineage dates back to 1385, when the first Panchen Lama Khedrup Geleg Pal Sangpo lived, and since then, Tibetan history has seen the seamless reincarnations of Panchen Lamas until today. It is a well known historical truth that the Panchen Lama lineages, along with the lineages of the Dalai Lama, have made tremendous contributions for the spiritual and physical well-being of the Tibetan people in Tibet. Their efforts extend to the fields of politics, economics, cultural and religious tradition.

In addition, the fame and good work of the Panchen Lamas have spread beyond the Tibetan borders to neighbouring Mongolia, China, Japan and other Himalayan regions. Most importantly, the Tibetan people consider the Panchen Lama one of their most significant spiritual leaders, mainly because every successive lineage of the Panchen Lama has played a crucial role in spreading the teachings of the Buddha Dharma and have extensively contributed to Tibetan Buddhism.

In particular, His Holiness the 10^th Panchen Lama endured much suffering as he led the Tibetan people in the darkest period of our history.  During this period, the 10^th Panchen Lama served as a prominent leader working for the welfare of the Tibetan people and was a harsh critic of the Chinese government’s Tibet policies. Hence, he was subjected to many years of physical and mental torture that is far beyond our imagination. It is no wonder then that the Tibetan people today remember the 10^th Panchen Lama’s courage and contributions, and revere the Panchen Lama lineage.

Today in 2011, proof of the Tibetan people’s faith, hope and belief in the Panchen Lama is visible as Tibetans in every corner of the world, including the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery; hold celebrations to mark the auspicious occasion of the birthday of the His Holiness the 22^nd Panchen Lama.

However, we are saddened by the fact that the now-22-year old 11^th Panchen Lama has remained missing since the Chinese authorities captured him at the age of six in May, 1995. Over the years, repeated appeals have been made to release the 11^th Panchen Lama so that the young lama can continue the good work of the 10^th Panchen Lama in Tibet. Yet, despite the collective voices of concern and appeals made by organizations -- both governmental and non-governmental -- as well as by individuals and by Tibetan people everywhere,  the Chinese government has not divulged any details of the whereabouts or well-being of the Panchen Lama.

China’s unwillingness to recognize the Panchen Lama appointed by the Dalai Lama, and their subsequent appointment of Gyaltsen Norbu as their official Panchen Lama, is evidence of China’s disregard and disrespect of Tibet’s long-held religious and historical tradition. These actions of the Chinese government have hurt the Tibetan people’s sentiments, and it is clear that these were undertaken solely to achieve political gains. Just like the old Tibetan saying, “killing two deer's with one arrow,” the Chinese government’s recognition of another boy as their official Panchen Lama, were meant to serve two purposes:  a) To oppose and undermine the authority of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, and b) To demean His Holiness the Panchen Lama and weaken his name in Tibetan history.

With the whereabouts of His Holiness the 11^th Panchen Lama still a mystery, we at the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery remain deeply concerned about the safety and plight of the 11^th Panchen Lama, his parents and family, as well as that of Chadrel Rinpoche and other political prisoners of Tibet. 

The Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, therefore, appeals to the Chinese government to address the following demands:

1.     Provide exact information as to whether the 11^th Panchen Lama is alive or not

2.     Allow independent organizations to meet with the 11^th Panchen Lama if he is alive

3.     Immediately release Chadrel Jampa Trinle Rinpoche, head of the search committee of the 11^th Panchen Lama, and other political prisoners

4.     Stop the baseless defamation of His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama

On this day, we would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the steadfast support we have received from many organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, as well as by individuals at all levels. We thank you for your efforts and encouragement thus far, and earnestly request you to continue supporting our cause until Chinese authorities pay heed to our demands and work in accordance with the aspirations of the Tibetan people.

Today, we remember especially the monks of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Tibet and the Tibetan people living under Chinese rule who -- despite being subjected to various forms of torture at the hands of the Chinese authorities -- have been firm in their ideology and were able to tell truth from lies. We remember the many who sacrificed their lives and the tremendous suffering they underwent over the years, while fighting for the cause of His Holiness the 11^th Panchen Lama.

And finally, we pray for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama. We pray also for their prayers to be fulfilled, and that the fruits of their labor are felt all over the world, just like the light from the Sun and the Moon. Our greatest hope and prayers is that His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness the Panchen Lama be once again reunited in the Land of Snows.

 Issued by:

The Tashi Lhunpo Monastery
Bylakuppe, April 25, 2011