Dharamshala: Venerable Karma Gelek Yuthok, Kalon of Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration issued a press release on Tuesday congratulating the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP) on its successful completion in Mongolia and the Tibetan delegation’s participation in the 50th anniversary celebration and the 11th General Assembly of ABCP, which he remarked was a grand success despite intense interference from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
“It was the largest and strongest Tibetan delegation to represent the Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration, ever since it became a full-fledged Member National Centre of ABCP in 1982,” said Kalon Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok.
He offered sincere thanks to the ABCP Headquarters, Gandan Monastery and the governments of Mongolia and India for “all their kind understanding, co-operation and support in travel and active participation of the Tibetan Delegation and for inviting other eminent Tibetan Buddhist masters and scholars to the ABCP General Assembly event” and the Office of the President and other concerned departments or agencies of the Mongolian Government for “providing necessary security to ensure free and peaceful deliberations at one of the most historical gatherings of the Asian Buddhists.”
In a firm assertion of the spiritual brotherhood shared by the Tibetans and Mongolians, Venerable Kalon recalled how His Holiness the Great XIV Dalai Lama, on many occasions, had observed the two communities as twin brothers. “We are therefore obliged to think and act accordingly. In this regard, it seems crucially necessary to stand together strongly against all forces of challenge besides maintaining our existing close relationship at all levels.”
Press Release issued by Kalon for Religion and Culture