Tibet Information Office Australia

DHARAMSHALA: The Academic Council of the Tuva State University of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, has unanimously conferred His Holiness the Dalai Lama the honorary title of Professor Emeritus, at the Tsuklakhang, on the last day of the special teachings held for Russian devotees from 19-21 December.

“The Academic Council of the Tuva State University has unanimously decided to confer the honorary title of Professor Emeritus to Nobel Peace laureate, Doctor of Philosophy His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso” Sergei Ondar, Chairman of the Academic Council stated in their statement.

The title was awarded in recognition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s outstanding input to the development of Science and his contribution towards human rights, promotion of religious harmony, conservation of the environment and the strengthening of moral and ethical principles in the society, the statement said.

Thanking the Tuva State University for the title, His Holiness said that since his last visit to Tuva in 1992, he couldn’t visit there again for a long time. But he said, he has been consistently meeting with  devotees from Tuva, Buryat and Kalmyk who are coming to Dharamshala for religious purposes.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama added that from his observation, there is an increasing number of people adhering to the Buddhist tradition which is a good sign.  People from far and wide are coming here traveling long distances.  

His Holiness also said, as a Buddhist monk, he prays for the well being of all the sentient beings and added that he is happy to pass on the great traditions pf Tibetan Buddhism to you all, who have come here from far , overcoming a lot of difficulties.

DHARAMSHALA, December 22: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed his sadness and concern over the loss of lives in the unfolding flash flood

tragedy in Philippines.

In a letter sent to the President of the Philippines His Excellency Benigno Aquino III, yesterday, the Dalai Lama expressed his “sadness and concern” about the loss of lives and damage to property caused by the recent unprecedented flash floods on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

His Holiness offered his condolences to the families that lost their loved ones in the flash floods that now has been declared a national calamity by the President.

The Dalai Lama also offered his prayers for the deceased and others affected by the devastating floods. Nearly 1,000 people have reportedly died after typhoon Washi hit the southern Mindanao island over the weekend, causing huge flash floods. The death toll is expected to rise. 



As a token of sympathy and concern the Tibetan spiritual leader made a donation from The Dalai Lama Trust to support the relief work.

About 40,000 people on Mindanao are now living in evacuation centres as nearly 30,000 houses were destroyed and damaged.

Aid workers have appealed for bottled water, blankets, tents and clothes for many of the 45,000 in crowded evacuation centres.

Philippines is struck by several typhoons and tropical storms every year.

DHARAMSHALA: The Central Tibetan Administration has expressed great sadness over the passing away of President Václav Havel, a dear and steadfast friend of the Tibetan people.

“It is with great sadness the Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration has learned of the passing away of President Václav Havel on 18 December 2011. Please accept the deepest condolence of the Kashag and the Tibetan people in this time of sadness. The Tibetan people have lost a dear and steadfast friend,” the Kashag said in a letter to the late

president’s wife Mrs Dagmar Havlova, today.

“President Václav Havel’s gesture of inviting His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Czech Republic as a visiting head of the state soon after he became the president of young republic in 1990 is still remembered by the Tibetan people. We had the privilege and the honour of inviting him as the chief guest during the Fourth International Tibet Support Groups’ Conference in Prague in 2003. The speech he made then was inspiring.

“As a mark of Tibetan gratitude to President Václav Havel, His Holiness the Dalai Lama presented the Light of Truth Award to him in 2004 for his outstanding contribution to creating greater awareness of the Tibetan people in their struggle for greater freedoms and fundamental human rights.

“Please be assured that the Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan people will always have the memory of President Václav Havel in their prayers and hearts,” the Kashag said.

DHARAMSHALA, December 12: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, currently on a three-day visit to the Czech Republic, met with former president Vaclav Havel and Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg over the weekend.

The Dalai Lama arrived in Prague Saturday after a two-year gap at the invitation of close friend Vaclav Havel.

Upon arrival, His Holiness met the Former President for an hour, discussing the recent developments inside and outside Tibet.

Acknowledging the “love of the Czech people for the Dalai Lama”, Vaclav Havel thanked the Tibetan spiritual leader for his 9th visit to the former communist nation.

Calling Vaclav Havel “a source of inspiration”, the Dalai Lama appreciated Havel’s firm stance on the principles of democracy and human rights.

Wishing a speedy recovery to the former president, who had not been keeping well lately, the Dalai Lama told Havel that he must live for another 10 years.

Describing his Sunday meeting with the Dalai Lama as “friendly and private”, Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg told reporters that the he had “an inspiring conversation” with the 76-year old Nobel Peace laureate.

Later in the day, His Holiness gave a public talk on “Searching for Happiness in a Troubled World”.

On his last day in Czech Republic, the Dalai Lama addressed a round table conference on “Democracy and Human Rights in Asia: One Year After an Empty Chair in Oslo” along with other speakers including former French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Nobel Laureate Dr Shirin Ebadi, Mr. Stéphane Hessel, co-drafter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Dr Jianli Yang, President and Founder, Initiatives for China.

The conference, held exactly a year after the Nobel Committee honoured Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo with the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize, focused on the current state of democracy and human rights in Asia.

Speaking at the conference, the Dalai Lama pointed out China’s potential in bringing “considerable benefit” to the planet but said that the communist country lacked international respect.

The Dalai Lama noted that the prevalent “fear” of China has provoked mistrust amongst the international community thus stubbing out respect for China. As a remedy, His Holiness suggested that China embrace more democracy, human rights, freedom of speech, and the rule of law.

Commenting on China’s use of force and repression in the face of problems, the Tibetan spiritual leader pointed out that repressive policies not only fail to solve problems but instead lead to the growth of more dissent under the surface.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama first visited Prague at the official invitation of President Havel soon after the Velvet Revolution in January 1990. President Havel became the first President after the fall of the communist rule.