By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, December 15: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his appreciation to the government of Karnataka for its continuous support and assistance to the Tibetans since the start of exile. The Tibetan leader was speaking on Wednesday at an event to mark the official consecration of the college named after him, the Dalai Lama Institute of Higher Studies.
“I first came to Karnataka in 1956, Mr S. Nijalingappa showed real concern about what was happening in Tibet. When we escaped to India in 1959, he was the most generous of the Chief Ministers who responded to Prime Minister Nehru’s plea for land on which to settle Tibetan refugees,” the exiled Tibetan leader said about the then Karnataka CM.
The spiritual leader said that when Tibetans came into exile, preserving the identity, language and culture was the priority. However, he rued the actions of the Chinese hardliners labeling Tibetans in Tibet as ‘splittist’ for trying to preserve Tibetan culture. “Despite restrictions, Tibetans’ spirit remains resolute,” he said.
“In the 60s, as I said, we were concerned simply to preserve our traditions. Now we can serve humanity by sharing the benefits of ancient Indian knowledge with others. This is something you young people studying today can do. Think not only of the interests of Tibetans but of the whole of humanity,” the 81-year old leader said.
Earlier in the day, the Dalai Lama along with Guests of Honor Karnataka Home Minister, Dr. G Parmeshwar and University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor KS Rangappa, jointly cut the ribbon to inaugurate the institution.
The Home Minister on the occasion assured continuous support from the state government and conveyed the greetings of the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The Dalai Lama also laid the foundation stone of a branch of Men-Tsee-Khang college of Tibetan medicine and astrology, which will be built near the institution. His Holiness thanked friends and sponsors for taking keen interest in Tibetan medical tradition. Men-Tsee-Khang’s Director Tashi Tsering also presented a model plan of the branch to His Holiness.
“Tibetan medicine is not only one of the ways in which Tibetans can contribute to the welfare of others, it shows that, whatever Chinese hardliners may think, Tibetans were not that backward,” he said.
The Dalai Lama Institute is an undertaking of the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV), started initially as a teacher-training center in 2008. Recognized by the University of Mysore under its statute of outreach and specialized programs since 2013, it is the only Tibetan institute of higher education in exile that offers both regular and specialized undergraduate degree programs.
