New Delhi: The Chinese government has imposed travel restrictions on Tibetans in Tibet in a bid to block their travel to India to attend the Kalachakra teachings. Tibetan pilgrims who have already arrived in Nepal and India have been summoned back to their home country. News emanating from Tibet reported that the Chinese government began confiscating passports from Tibetans in Tibet since November this year.
Nepali media reported that “China has reportedly issued a temporary travel restriction on its citizens visiting Nepal and asked its travel agencies and airlines to cancel all travel plans and bookings made until January 10 with immediate effect.”
In light of these developments, His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressed the Tibetan pilgrims in Delhi, advising them to not feel disheartened. His Holiness said that during the Kalachakra initiation, which runs for three days—from January 11-13, Tibetans in Tibet whose faith and devotion remain invincible and stands undefeated, can pray from inside Tibet. “From the Kalachakra ground, I will keep the Tibetans inside Tibet in my deepest prayers.”
His Holiness further said there is a substantial number of Chinese Buddhists in Mainland China wishing to attend the Kalachakra and that His Holiness will remember them in his prayers.
“Distance cannot dampen the sacred ties between a lama and a disciple. You can all pray from the far-flung areas in Tibet and I assure you that you will receive the Kalachakra empowerment,” said His Holiness.
His Holiness thanked the Tibetans inside Tibet and advised them to do focus on empowering Tibetan youth with education. “While according importance to Tibetan language, encourage our youth to study Chinese language as well. Empower our youth to embrace modern education, but also be adept at traditional Tibetan knowledge, especially the five major sciences of knowledge.”
His Holiness further said on one hand this is a sad situation as Tibetans in Tibet and exile have been separated for 57 years, but on the other hand, the determination and resoluteness of Tibetans inside Tibet have remained steadfast. “Despite the phasing out of generations of Tibetans, your nationalistic fervour, irrespective of your faith in Tibetan Buddhism, your indomitable spirit, grit and perseverance, is bringing to the fore, clarity to the issue of Tibet.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will arrive at Bodhgaya today.
The Kalachakra initiation will begin with ritual preparation on January 2 and end with a life-long prayer ceremony on January 14 and will be streamed live on Tibet TV’s youtube and facebook page.