By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, June 19: The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE) have expressed gratitude to the US President Barack Obama for welcoming His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the White House despite opposition from China.
The Tibetan spiritual leader, currently on a 19-day tour of the US, met with President Obama on June 15 for the fourth time in Obama’s eight-year term.
Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of the 16th TPiE in a statement said, “On behalf of Tibetans in and outside Tibet, TPiE sincerely express our heartfelt gratitude to your excellency (Obama) for welcoming and meeting His Holiness despite strong objections from the Chinese Government.”
He also lauded United States’ continuous support towards the Middle Way Approach and for encouraging meaningful and direct dialogue between the representatives of the Dalai Lama and Chinese authorities.
Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Spokesperson of the CTA, said, “We appreciate President Obama and the people of the US for respecting His Holiness the Dalai Lama who is a man of peace and stands for the happiness of the entire humanity. It has brought happiness to every Tibetan.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is currently in California where he met about 275 people at the ‘Women in Compassionate Leadership’ breakfast on Friday. The audience included influential women, CEOs, entertainers and media representatives of the country.
His Holiness blessed the opening of Dieu Ngu Temple on Saturday in Westminster and gave the Medicine Buddha Empowerment at the temple.
