By Tenzin Menkyi
DHARAMSHALA, June 20: A group of Tibetan writers, artists, activists and filmmakers took a pledge of non-violence Thursday to commemorate the 80th birthday of the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The initiative declared at a press conference at Hotel Tibet here is led by a small group of Tibetan youth leaders to celebrate the Tibetan leader’s legacy of peace and nonviolence by swearing a life time abstention from violence in their struggle for freedom.
The pledge of non violence, published on the newly launched website www.nonviolencepledge.org states: “With the extraordinary life and visionary leadership of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in our hearts and minds, we the undersigned individuals pledge to maintain a steadfast commitment to nonviolence in our work for Tibet and to do our utmost to promote and practice creative, effective, nonviolent action to help China’s oppression of Tibet and to create a future Tibet, where all people can live in peace and freedom.”
Within two days of the pledge, 557 people have taken the pledge to embrace non violence in celebration of the Tibetan leader’s 80th birthday. “I am pledging because peace and nonviolence is the highest good for this world; we have to stay true to ideals that the Dalai Lama stands for, every day. Happy Birthday to the Dalai Lama! We are blessed to have him here at this time on our planet,” wrote Constance George from the United States. Harmony Siganporia from India wrote, “ I take this pledge because it is the only way the human race is likely to have a future at all. HH is an inspiration, like Gandhi was before him, and I believe the most creative forms of resistance we’ve ever seen have come from visionaries who foresaw that non-violence was the only answer.”
Lhadon Tethong, Director of Tibet Action Institute and former head of the Students fro a Free Tibet hoped that the initiative will be “received as a heartfelt message from Tibetans and supporters, who have been inspired and influenced by His Holiness, as an expression of our commitment to the Tibetan struggle.” She wrote in a release: “ …we are seeing more and more Tibetans inside Tibet-including activists and intellectuals-making public declarations of their commitment to nonviolence and we believe it is our duty to echo and amplify their voices in the free world.”
Tibetan poet and activist Tenzin Tsundue, said the Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday represents a critical juncture in Tibet’s history as new generations of leaders are rising amidst speculation that the Tibetan struggle could take a violent turn in the absence of His Holiness. He said, “We hope this action will bring to light the very real and heartfelt commitment that many Tibetan and supporters have to carry forward His Holiness’ nonviolent legacy.”
Speaking about the pledge, Dorjee Tsetan, Director of Students for Free Tibet said: “Through this pledge, we are not simply committing to be nonviolent, but also to do everything we can to take creative and effective action in our fight against China’s occupation of Tibet”.
