“Tibetans in exile must speak up for Freedom and Rights of those in Tibet”: His Holiness the Dalai Lama at TCV Ladakh

Leh Ladakh: Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Tuesday gave a profound advice to Tibetans in exile to speak up for rights and freedom of Tibetans in Tibet while embracing education as the vehicle for change.

“In the face of such suffering it’s our responsibility to speak up for the rights and freedom of the 6 million Tibetans at home in Tibet, with the knowledge that we will only achieve change through education and awareness, not by resorting to force,” His Holiness was speaking at SOS TCV School in Choglamsar, Leh Ladakh on Tuesday.

Observing education and preservation Tibetan language and culture as pillars of Tibetan spirit, His Holiness underlined the need for the Tibetan youth to pay serious attention to Tibetan language and Buddhist science.

“Although the Tibetan state fragmented after the 9th century, our common language is something that has kept us together. One of the factors ensuring the continuing strength of the Tibetan spirit is the common language that underlies our culture and religion.

His Holiness likened the Tibetan knowledge as a jewel that can contribute to human thinking and address the crises in the world. “Today that remains true in Ladakh, the Himalayan region and the Mongolian regions as well. Today, we have the opportunity not only to keep our traditions alive, but to share what we know with the world at large. This is something the younger generation have an opportunity to do, so it’s important not to become complacent in your studies.

“Don’t lose your pride and confidence in being Tibetan. We are a people with a profound tradition—we should be happy,” His Holiness rang a wake up call for Tibetans.

Expressing concerns over the situation inside Tibet, he criticized the Chinese hardliners on their failed policies and the treatment of Tibetans inside Tibet.

“Now, however, hard-liners have overpowered Tibetans as part of what they called peaceful liberation. And what they have referred to since 1951 as the Tibet Autonomous Region is only part of the territory that used to look to the Ganden Phodrang government.

“Employing all kinds of measures to subjugate Tibetans, the Chinese authorities have tried to eliminate the Tibetan identity. However, while physical controls can limit and confine people’s physical movements, they can’t control their minds. When they make people suffer, how can they expect a positive response? Hundreds of thousands of Tibetans have died in the course of this struggle.

His Holiness brimmed optimism as he said, “China will change. Over the last 20 years there has been change even under the same regime. We have truth on our side and that won’t change. Many Chinese intellectuals support this approach. The late Liu Xiaobo supported it. Articles written by Chinese after 2008 are critical of their government’s policies, support our Middle Way Approach and see it as the best way to resolve the problem.”

From 28 – 30 July, His Holiness will give teachings on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (chodjug) at Shewatsel Teaching Ground, Ladakh. The teachings will be live webcast in English, Chinese, Tibetan and Russian.