TOKYO: Kasur Jetsun Pema and Kasur Tempa Tsering graced the celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 82nd birthday organized by the Tibet House in Tokyo on Saturday (8 July). They are currently on a 5-day visit to Japan.
Around 170 guests, which include representatives of members of Japanese parliaments, long-time supporters of the Tibetan people and Tibetans living in Japan, joined the festivity.
Addressing the gathering, Kasur Jetsun Pema, the younger sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, said: “I am very happy to be here on the occasion of His Holiness’s 82nd birthday. Every year when he get together on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday, we always to keep in our mind the messages of His Holiness.”
She spoke on the His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s three commitments of his life. One is to promote human values. To bring out good human values has nothing to do with which religion we belong to. The feeling of oneness of humanity brings us closer and we can do many good things in this world.
His second commitment is to bring harmony between different religions. His Holiness always to meet religious faith leaders and discusses with them to bring out commonness of all religion be brought together.
As a Tibetan, he has the responsibility to work for the Tibetan cause. The majority of Tibetans are inside Tibet and they place so much hope on His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
“It is very important for us to retain our identity and culture and don’t forget that our culture is deeply rooted in Buddhist religion,” she said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama places emphasis on the protection of Tibet’s environment.
His Holiness tries to promote things which are close to people’s heart.
Kasur Tempa Tsering, the former representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama said: “His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday is not just a special day for Tibetans, but it is special day for all those people who justice, peace, non-violence and compassion.
“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is celebrated all over the world where there Tibetans as well as those people who have faith in His Holiness and who cherish his ideals. His Holiness is recognized by the world as the apostle of peace, symbol of compassion and a person who champions peace and non-violence in the world,” he said.
“When you talk about compassion, genuine compassion is to care for someone who don’t expect anything but whom you do want to care for and give something,” he said. Mr Tempa Tsering then narrated a story which he is a part of during his stint as His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative in New Delhi, India.
“His Holiness is passing through many times, may be dozens of time a year. So His Holiness drives by, he saw many leprosy patients begging on the streets. Then His Holiness asked me if there is any colony or any place the leprosy patients are being taken care of and given medication. Outside Delhi there is a huge colony of around 10,000 leprosy patients. So His Holiness wanted to visit that colony and meet with the lepers. But we were little concerned about it and we went to colony many times to arrange a programme during which His Holiness does not have to have much contact with the lepers. So we arranged a very high stage. Incidentally the lepers are sponsored by a Japanese named Mr Sasagawa, who was there on the stage. Our plan was to invite His Holiness the Dalai Lama straight to the stage and give a talk. But as His Holiness’s car pulled in and he saw the lepers, he just got out of the car and walked straight into the crowd. We came little concerned and ask His Holiness to come onto the stage. His Holiness said, I have come to see the leprosy patients. He was hugging and touching them and take their hands to touch his cheeks. The lepers were crying and His Holiness was very emotional. The Indian reporters splashed out huge news items saying that Dalai Lama’s one deed is more powerful than many thousands of words. So as we all know normally leprosy patients are people who are looked down on or be avoided. But here is the Dalai Lama who walks into them, hugs them and touches them. Then he told them that as long as the little money that I get as royalties from my books, every year I will donate one million rupees. So this is His Holiness’s compassion. He always says that every day is a birthday and every day is a same day. So I don’t celebrate birthday. The people who celebrate my birthday, the best present they can give to me is to make a pledge that I will be kind, compassionate and a better person. And this is the best present for me. So I hope that people who are gather here today will make this pledge, which will be best present for His Holiness.
Earlier in the programme, Mr Lungtok, representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Japan, thanked the Japanese people for their unwavering support of the truth and just cause of the Tibetan people.
Beautiful bouquets and congratulatory messages from members of Japanese Parliament were offered to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Australia-based Tibetan composer and singer Tenzin Choegyal and flute player Taro Terahara entertained the guests on the festive occasion.
– Report filed by Office of Tibet, Japan –
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Representative Mr Lungtok addressing the gathering during the celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 82nd birthday at Hotel Okura, Tokyo, Japan, on 8 July 2017
Kasur Tempa Tsering greeting guests on the occasion.
Chief guests Kasur Jetsun Pema and Kasur Tempa Tsering pose for a group photo with Tibetans living in Japan, during the celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 82nd birthday at Hotel Okura, Tokyo, Japan, on 8 July 2017