Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s representative based in Canberra paid a three-day visit to Perth in Western Australia from 24 – 26 September, during which he met members of the Tibet Support Group, state legislature, Tibetan community and Tibetan Buddhist centres.
Representative Sonam Norbu Dagpo was welcomed at the Perth Airport by Zatul Rinpoche, President of the Tibetan Community in Western Australia, on 24 September.
Later in the evening, Mr Dagpo called on Ms Giz Watson, a representative of Australian Greens Party in the Western Australian Legislative Council. After briefing Ms Watson on the current situation inside Tibet and the dialogue process between the His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s envoys and PRC leadership, Mr Dagpo expressed gratitude to the Australian Greens for their constant support for the issue of Tibet.
Mr Dagpo also met members of the Tibetan Support Group and lauded their activities in advocating the truth and just cause of Tibet. He took up the Tibetan issue with a group of distinguished guests, comprising of Australian Parliament members, state legislators and former MPs, during a dinner reception organised by the Tibet Support Group.
On 25 September, Mr Dagpo visited Hayagriva Buddhist Centre, a Mahayana Buddhist centre in Perth, where he was accorded a warm reception by the centre’s president and executive members. He was briefed about the inception of the Buddhist centre and its activities. He thanked for the support rendered by the centre during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit.
Mr Dagpo also visited Phendeling Buddhist Centre, following which he met with members of the Tibetan Community and was briefed by President Zatul Rinpoche about their activities. Mr Dagpo spoke about the democratic system in the exile community and forthcoming democratic election of Kalon Tripa and members of Tibetan Parliament. He also briefed them on the Middle-Way Approach and called on Tibetans living overseas to make efforts to preserve their religion and culture.