Brussels: In a declaration adopted unanimously during its Annual General Meeting on 24 September 2023, the European Buddhist Union (EBU) calls on the Chinese government not to interfere in Tibetan Buddhist affairs, namely the recognition of the reincarnation of high lamas, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The EBU affirms that the selection of reincarnation of Tibetan Lamas, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the prerogative of the Tibetan people and Ganden Phodrang, which should be done in accordance with Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The EBU also urges the international community not to recognise any Lama appointed by the Chinese authority.

In addition, they also called on the Chinese government to resume dialogue with the representatives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in order to resolve the Sino-Tibetan conflict.

Representative Rigzin Genkhang, welcoming the timely initiative, expressed her appreciation to the EBU for endorsing His Holiness’ view on the matter.

This comes on the heels of the Chinese government’s recent promulgation of the “Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues” also known as “Order number 19” that came into effect on 01 September 2023, which will further intensify the ongoing religious repression in Tibet and elsewhere in China. This is part of a series of measures the PRC has introduced and implemented targeting Tibetan Buddhism to meet their political ends.

The EBU is an international umbrella association of Buddhist organisations and national Buddhist unions in Europe.

The five-point declaration can be read below.

-Report filed by OoT Brussels 

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By  — Staff Reporter

Thekchen Choeling, Dharamsala, H.P, India – On the occasion of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s seventy-third birthday today, His Holiness has written to him to offer his sincere greetings, and wishing him many happy returns of the day.

His Holiness wrote, “May I also take this opportunity to congratulate you on the success of India’s G20 presidency, culminating in the summit on the theme of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutambakam—One Earth, One Family, One Future’. This is a theme that resonates strongly with me. I firmly believe in the oneness of humanity and encourage other people to appreciate its importance whenever I can.

“As India’s longest staying guest, I have found it a great privilege and source of satisfaction to witness India’s growing stature on the international stage, reflected in events such as the G20 summit. That meeting also provided a great opportunity to highlight the interdependence of our shared world.

“India’s traditions of ahimsa and karuna are more than 1000-years old. As the largest democracy and most populous nation on the planet, with a long tradition of inter-religious harmony, India presents an example to the world. In addition to this, India’s growing scientific and technological capabilities enhance its emerging leadership.

“On behalf of the Tibetan people, may I once again express deep gratitude to the government and people of India for their hospitality and generous assistance to us over the last 64 years.

His Holiness concluded his letter with prayers and wishing the Prime Minister “continued good health and success in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of this great country, and in contributing to the creation of a more compassionate, peaceful world.”

Rev. Hayashi Sensei and Representative Dr. Arya with the statement.

By  —  BT NEWSDESK

Tokyo: A delegation of Japanese monks representing nine Sotoshu schools of Japanese Zen Buddhism expressed concern about the worsening situation in Tibet and issued a seven-point joint statement urging China to stop violations of human rights and religious freedom in Tibet.

Rev. Hayashi Shuei of Jorinji Temple and representatives from nine Temples in Tokyo, Nagano, and Ibaragi prefectures visited the Liaison Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama and handed over the statement to Representative Dr. Arya Tsewang Gyalpo.

Rev. Hayashi Shuei, the head of the delegation, said that the Chinese continued interference in Tibetan religious matters is not moral and unacceptable to all Buddhists and the international community. He said as Buddhists living in a free country it becomes our responsibility to speak out for the people of Tibet and for religious freedom around the world. He further added that he met H.H. the Dalai Lama a few times and that His Holiness has visited his school in Tokyo where the faculty members and the students greatly benefited from His Holiness’ teachings on love and compassion.

The members of the delegation each spoke about their concerns and expressed solidarity with the Tibetan people in Tibet. They said China`s interference in the selection of Tibetan reincarnate Lamas is unacceptable because the communist party does not believe in religion and knows nothing about the rebirth concept. They said they would like to visit Dharamsala to convey their support and feelings.

Representative Dr. Arya Tsewang Gyalpo thanked the delegation for their support and the statement and offered khatas to the monks. He briefly explained the situation in Tibet and how the CCP leadership was trying to wipe out the Tibetan identity, culture, and language through total control of the Tibetan monasteries and the Chinese boarding schools in Tibet.

Bukkyo Times, a Japanese newspaper reporting on Buddhist issues covered the event and interviewed Rev. Hayashi, Representative Dr. Arya, and other monks.

The seven-point statement in Japanese read as follows:

1. We call on the Chinese government to abide by Article 4 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, to commit to regional autonomy and self-rule for ethnic minorities, and to let the Tibetan people practice genuine autonomy and self-rule
2. We urge the Chinese government to implement Articles 10 and 11 of the Law on Autonomy of Ethnic Areas of the People’s Republic of China, which guarantees the freedom of language and religion of ethnic minorities
3. We call on the Chinese government to clarify the whereabouts of the 11th Panchen Lama and his family and to release them as soon as possible
4. We condemn the Chinese government’s violations of human rights and its policy of Sinicization of the language, culture, and identity of the Tibetan people
5. We condemn the Chinese government’s interference in Tibetan religious affairs, including religious persecution, destruction of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and Buddhist statues, reincarnation of high priests, and control of monasteries
6. We affirm that the selection of reincarnations of the Tibetan Lamas, including the 15th Dalai Lama, is the prerogative of the Tibetan people and the Dalai Lama’s Office, and call for the passage of legislation in Japan similar to the 2020 U.S. Tibet Policy Support Bill.
7. Future Tibetan reincarnated monks, including the Dalai Lama, should be selected by the Tibetan people according to their religious tradition. We urge the international community not to recognize any Lama selected and appointed by the Chinese authority.

-Report filed by the Office of Tibet, Japan and East Asia

Rev. Hayashi Sensei presenting the statement to Representative Dr. Arya.

Representative Dr. Arya briefing the delegation.

Group picture.

By   — BT NEWSDESK

Dharamshala: A group of Swedish Parliamentary Delegation-led by honourable Margareta Elisabeth Cederfelt, who were visiting Dharamshala to attend the 63rd anniversary of the Tibetan Democracy Day today, held a press conference to express their support for the Tibetan people.

The visiting delegation consists of honourable MPs Margareta Elisabeth Cederfelt, Johanna Hornberger, Marie Charlotte Nicholson, Maria Viktoriam Stockhaus, Alexandra Anstrell, Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage, John E Weinerhall from the Moderate Party; Hon. MPs Richard Johannes Jomshof and Björn Söder from the Sweden Democrats Party; Hon. MP Gudrun Margareta Brunegard from the Christian Democrats Party; Hon. MP Janine Sofia Alm Ericson from the Green Party and Carl Mattias and Kristina Eva Maria Bjornerstedt of Swedish Tibet Committee. The delegation were accompanied by Representative Sonam Tsering Frasi and Secretary Lobsang Choedon Samten from the Office of Tibet, London.

DIIR Secretary Karma Choeying commended the visiting delegation for attending the press conference which he said would give hope to Tibetans that they are not forgotten by the world.

MP Margareta Elisabeth Cederfelt shared that the eleven MPs in her group were from four different parties. She also spoke about her positive meeting with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and stressed on the importance of his message advocating for peace.

Lauding the exile Tibetan democracy, she said that it gave equal voting rights to everybody irrespective of their gender, age and other social classifications and similarly everybody had equal rights to stand for election.

Condemning the colonial boarding school system in Tibet by China, she urged China to give Tibetans the freedom to practice their religion, culture, language and preserve their Tibetan identity. She added that the Swedish Tibetan Parliamentary Support Group was engaged in raising the issue of Tibet and writing bills.

This was followed by the MP answering questions posed by the local press personnel.

In response to a question on the Swedish government’s support in welfare programmes for the Tibetan people, she said that although the Swedish government could not extend political and financial aid on the level that the USA does, however, they would see that they are able to support programmes by raising discussions on the subject with their constituencies and the Tibetan community.

On being asked to share a message for Tibetans inside Tibet, she said that the MPs understood the extent to which Tibetans in Tibet were suffering under the repressive conditions and the Tibetans are not alone in their struggle and expressed solidarity for Tibetans inside Tibet.

The press conference was hosted by the Department of Information and International Relations(DIIR).

By  — Staff Reporter

Dharamshala: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama returned to Dharamshala this morning to a warm welcome reception by Tibetans, devotees and well-wishers after concluding a month-long visit to Ladakh where he gave spiritual teachings on multiple occasions.

The delegation of the Central Tibetan Administration led by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Kyabje Jonang Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Settlement Officer Kunchok Migmar and representatives of the local civil society groups received His Holiness at the Gaggal airport. Meanwhile, hundreds thronged the streets leading up to the Tsuglagkhang temple to greet His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

During the month-long stay in Ladakh, His Holiness gave three-day teaching at Shewatsel ground which was attended by around 65,000 people. On 26 July, His Holiness attended a program for the Tibetan community at the TCV ground in Choglamsar which was attended by 5000 people. On 31 July, His Holiness presided over a program at the Buddha statue in Stok and also attended the 50th-anniversary celebration of Lamdon School in Leh. From 18-19 August, His Holiness gave teaching to around 25,000 people at Zelthang in Khalsi (Sham). In addition, His Holiness accorded blessings to around 12,706 people including senior citizens and differently-abled.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives in Dharamshala. Photo: Tenzin Jigme/CTA.

His Holiness departing for his residence at Tsuglagkhang temple. Photo: Tenzin Jigme/CTA.

Artists of TIPA singing a welcome song for His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo: Tenzin Jigme/CTA.

CTA civil servants and local Tibetans and devotees. Photo: Tenzin Jigme/CTA.

Khaltse, Ladakh, India – As soon as His Holiness the Dalai Lama took his seat on the stage early this morning, he acknowledged that the more than 25,000 people assembled on the teaching ground had come to see him out of deep affection and faith.

Members of the crowd lining the road holding flowers and burning incense waiting to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama to arrive at the teaching ground in Khaltse, Ladakh, India on August 19, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor

“Just a few minutes ago,” he told them, “I met a woman who is 106 years old, and like her I consider it to be auspicious to live long. As the number of people who show me trust and devotion continues to grow, it certainly helps the Guru to live long. Thank you.This gives me the courage to live to be more than 110 years old.” The congregation applauded with delight.

“Of course, there is not much to be proud of if you’ve lived a long life dedicated solely to fulfilling your own personal goals at the expense of others. But to live a long and meaningful life in the service of others will definitely bear beneficial fruit.

“By cultivating the awakening mind of bodhichitta, you earn merit. And by understanding emptiness, you accumulate wisdom. It is very important to train yourself to listen, to reflect on what you have heard or read and to then put them into practice.

“If you think about the awakening mind of bodhicitta, you will develop a sense of caring and compassion for all living beings, including gods and spirits. All of them have, at one time or another, been part of our lives, and related to one another too. Like us they seek happiness and do not wish to suffer. If you cultivate compassion for them, you too will reap the benefit, instead of attracting harm from these gods or demigods.

A view from inside the teaching ground pavilion during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings in Khaltse, Ladakh, India on August 19, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor

“Conflict and violence in the world arise due chiefly to self-cherishing attitudes that lead us to pursue self-fish aims and disregard the well-being of others, which ultimately brings suffering back to us. If we consider all other human beings as being just like us, born from a mother’s womb and nurtured in the shelter of her loving-kindness we will not only achieve peace of mind ourselves, we will also make others happy too.

“The Buddha was not an enlightened being from the start. His enlightenment came about as a result of training his mind to develop bodhichitta over a long period of time. Finally, he engaged in six-years of deep meditation before he attained complete enlightenment, full of wisdom and without any fault. Therefore, it is important that all of you, my spiritual brothers and sisters, pursue the path to Buddhahood by accumulating merit and wisdom.

“This morning, I am going to give you a long-life empowerment related to White Tara. The crucial factor in seeking to live long is to be warm-hearted. This is what will yield peace of mind, which is the most important factor in living a meaningful life.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama conferring a long-life empowerment at the teaching ground in Khaltse, Ladakh, India on August 19, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor

When he had completed giving the long-life empowerment, His Holiness told those gathered before him that he was glad they had firm faith and were motivated to practise diligently.

He observed that in India sometimes distinction is drawn between one caste and another. He told the gathering that if that is the case in the region of Sham, they should know that all human beings are the same with no need to regard some as high and others as low. He asked them not to dwell on such distinctions.

As for us, he said, we are all followers of the Buddha. We all have the same Buddha nature and the ability to achieve Buddhahood. Therefore, we would be better to work to develop the awakening mind of bodhichitta by cultivating love and compassion towards everyone. That’s all, he said, and bade the audience good bye.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s helicopter taking off for Leh after conclusion of his teachings at the teaching ground in Khaltse, Ladakh, India on August 19, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor

Soon afterwards, His Holiness boarded a helicopter, flew back to Leh, and returned to his residence at Shewatsel Phodrang.

Source  — Dalailama.com

His Holiness the Dalai Lama arriving at Sindhu Ghat to attend a farewell lunch offered by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in Leh, Ladakh, India on August 16, 2023. Photo by Tenzin Choejor.

By   — Staff Reporter

Shewatsel, Leh, Ladakh, India – This morning His Holiness attended a farewell lunch at the Sindhu Ghat, on the banks of the Indus River, near Shey. It was offered by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC). Among those present were the elected Councillors headed by the Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), Tashi Gyalson, Union Territory officials, as well as representatives of various organisations and religious communities of Ladakh.

Jamyang T. Namgyal, MP and Tashi Gyalson, the CEC, were among those who welcomed His Holiness to the function. On behalf of the people of Ladakh, they expressed wholehearted gratitude to His Holiness for the extraordinary way his teachings and advice have enriched the lives of the people of Ladakh. Over the years, he has encouraged them to cultivate a warm heart and work for the welfare of their fellow human beings. They requested His Holiness to continue to visit Ladakh and to stay longer.

Chief Executive Councillor, Tashi Gyalson presented a brief report on the development of Ladakh in recent times, which has included bringing basic facilities, such as electricity, better roads and other infrastructure, to remote regions. He was also happy to announce that Tibetan refugees in Ladakh are also benefitting from the welfare schemes introduced by the Union Territory of Ladakh.

There were three song and dance performances. Two of them were traditional cultural dances, while the third was a song written by a Ladakhi scholar extolling the qualities of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

His Holiness was invited to address the gathering. He said that he found the sight of the great statue of the Buddha across the valley in Stok Village inspiring. Consequently, he recited a verse of homage to the Buddha from the ‘Song of Experience’ by Jé Tsongkhapa:

Your body is created from tens of millions of excellent virtuous factors,
Your speech fulfils the hopes and wishes of limitless beings,
Your mind sees all knowable objects exactly as they are,
I bow my head to the Chief of the Shakyas (Shakyamuni Buddha).

Having paid his respects to the Buddha in this way, His Holiness commented on human beings need for love and affection.

“Although there have been cruel and unkind people throughout human history, one factor that unites us all is the love and compassion we have received from our mother. This experience becomes the basis for us to cultivate a warm heart and work for the welfare of all sentient beings.

“As a Buddhist monk, I respect all the world’s religious traditions. And whenever I can, I visit other people’s places of worship. Although they may differ in terms of philosophy, what our various religious traditions have in common is that they all promote friendship and warm-heartedness.

“Tibetan Buddhism is derived from the pure lineage of the Nalanda Tradition which emphasizes critically examining the teaching of the Buddha as he advised his disciples to do. Masters like Acharya Nagarjuna, Dignaga and so forth, carefully examined the words of the Buddha and distinguished between those teachings that can be regarded as definitive and those that are only provisional and cannot be accepted literally. Our custom of examining the Buddha’s teaching in the light of logic and reasoning has attracted the interest even of modern scientists. Many of them are keen to learn about what our rich Buddhist tradition has to say about the workings of our mind and emotions.”

His Holiness observed that we cannot impose religious faith upon others. In contemporary society, there are many good people devoted to the welfare of others, who do not necessarily subscribe to any faith tradition—and yet they have good hearts. They may find it useful to incorporate secular principles into their lives.

Looking at the snow-capped mountains beyond Stok, His Holiness was reminded of the prayer to Chenrezig, “In the land encircled by the fence of snow mountains…” Ladakhis and the people of the Himalayan region adjacent to the Tibetan plateau have been Buddhists for a long time. If they were able to follow the teaching of the Buddha in an appropriate way, he said, they would be able to promote secular principles. His Holiness mentioned that he tries to take a modern scientific approach to make Buddhist principles accessible to the wider world.

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang and MP Tsering Yangchen with Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri at 77th India’s Independence Day Celebration.

By  — Staff Reporter

Dharamshala, 15 August: Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, along with parliamentarian Tsering Yangchen, attended India’s 77^th  independence day celebration at the DC office, Dharamshala, earlier today.

The Chief Guest of the ceremony was Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri of Himachal Pradesh, and other guests were Kishori Lal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary; MLA Kewal Singh; and other dignitaries.

After hoisting of the Indian national flag and parade procession, the Chief Guest addressed the gathering.

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang and MP Tsering Yangchen offered the Chief Guest and other guests with traditional Tibetan scarves and, on behalf of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, extended greetings on India’s 77th independence day.

This year’s independence day in Dharamshala was commemorated in a modest way without any cultural performances due to the unfortunate natural calamities in Himachal Pradesh.

-Report filed by Tibetan Parliamentary Secretariat 

Deputy Speaker Teykhang greeting Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri

Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang and MP Tsering Yangchen attend 77th India’s Independence Day Celebration

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang and MP Tsering Yangchen attend 77th India’s Independence Day Celebration

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang and MP Tsering Yangchen attend 77th India’s Independence Day Celebration

Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang and MP Tsering Yangchen attend 77th India’s Independence Day Celebration