Brisbane, Australia – The Tibetan Community of Queensland together with monks from Tashi Lhunpo monastery gathered at City Hall last night for a peaceful prayer vigil. The monks chanted prayers and approximately 160 Australian supporters and local Tibetans chanted slogans such as ‘Free Tibet’, ‘ We Want Justice’, ‘Long Live the Dalai Lama’ and ‘China out of Tibet!’.
There was a strong media presence with all the TV stations and newspaper and freelance photographers shooting footage and taking photographs – focussing on the mass energy that was generated by so many people. The monks were clearly the drawcard followed by the local Tibetans.
The media were very interested when the press release from His Holiness the Dalai Lama was read out by a member of the local community. As dusk approached, candles were lit and prayers became symbols of hope and comfort.
Everyone who participated in the event walked away with a sense of satisfaction at having publicly condemned the current violence and suffering in Tibet. The devastation happening in Lhasa has galvanised support for Tibet around the world including here in Brisbane, Australia.
“Let us not pray to be sheltered from danger,
but to be fearless in facing them”… R.N.Tagore