His Holiness the Dalai Lama Congratulates the Prime Minister-Elect of Bhutan

By  — Shyamal Sinha

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Tshering Tobgay, the Prime Minister-Elect, to offer him a warm Tashi Delek.

“As Tibetans,” he wrote, “we share a historic relationship with the Bhutanese people, and as someone strongly committed to democratic values, I have followed your country’s commendable development in democratic governance, under the farsighted leadership of the Druk Gyalpo, over the past several years.

“Bhutan today is developing along modern lines, while preserving its traditional religion and culture. I am sure under your tenure, you will see that it continues to be strengthened. Our two peoples have a distinct form of Buddhism in common. Our religious tradition is not merely based on faith, but can also be of practical benefit to humanity at large.

“Our Kagyur and Tengyur, which are collections of the translated words of the Buddha and treatises by subsequent Indian masters, contain a wealth of knowledge about the workings of the mind and emotions that can be critically relevant to bringing about a more peaceful world.”

His Holiness’s letter ended: “May I wish you every success in your endeavours for the welfare of your country and people.”