By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, November 30: The Tibetan exiled leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama said Tibetans inside Tibet are the rightful owners of Tibet, and that Tibetans should be proud of unique Tibetan culture, tradition and language. At a separate audience for pilgrims from Tibet, the Tibetan spiritual leader said, “I know that you have gone through hardships and it is also dangerous since recently China has been imposing strong restrictive measures. I am very happy to have met you all today.”
He added that the main reason behind the survival of Tibetan race the last sixty years is due to the immense sincerity and the courage of Tibetans inside Tibet. The spiritual leader also asked them to hold on to the spirit despite the harsh actions undertaken by the Chinese.
“Holding on to the spirit does not mean to fight Chinese. We must be friendly with the Chinese people especially with over 400 million Chinese, who follow Buddhism. We cannot help them financially. However, we can through our Tibetan Buddhism and traditions,” said the 81-year old spiritual leader, adding that it would be beneficial for both the nations.
The Nobel Laureate also responded to Chinese hardliners’ accusations against him being a ‘separatist or a devil’. “I have never advocated separatism, yet China calls me a separatist. It is not at all true. Instead we are saying that we are ready to stay within the constitution of China with genuine autonomy including the right to protect our culture, religion, language and environment.”
The spiritual leader also gave an introduction to Buddhism to the group since he feels that most Tibetans in Tibet, apart from those studying in monasteries, lack understanding of Buddhism and only limited to prayers. He said that unlike other major religions of the world, Tibetan Buddhism is not just to follow out of devotion but also to examine and study.
While talking about the importance of studying Tibetan Buddhism, he said, “It is a regressive thinking if we still prohibit lay people and nuns from studying the scriptures. This year we are going to have the first batch of Geshemas and I am going to handover their certificates.”
The Dalai Lama jokingly asked them not hold any superstitious thought on nuns getting Geshe degree or consider it as nearing the end of Buddhism. He also urged lay people to study the scriptures of Kangyur and Tengyur, the canons of Buddhism.
