By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, September 5: To celebrate the golden jubilee year of Bir Tibetan Society (BTS), the members of society honored His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a special memento of Ashtamangala (Tib: Tashi Takgyal), ‘the eight auspicious symbol of Buddhism’ in expression of gratitude.
Over 400 BTS members were present at an audience with the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglagkhang courtyard earlier today.
The Tibetan spiritual leader advised the youth to pay more attention towards the ‘rich’ Tibetan language, which he said was the most appropriate language to explain the Nalanda tradition.
“We Tibetan must pay more attention to our own language, especially the younger generations,” said the Dalai Lama, adding that being a Tibetan with a limited command over the language would be shameful.
The 82-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader emphasized that a sense of pride arises knowing that Nalanda masters have described contemporary concepts such as Quantum physics over 2000 years ago.
“In early 60s, a Chinese scholar had said that Tibetan spiritualism is illogical, which would diminish as science progresses. However, It has been over 30 years since our association with leading scientists and with time they have grown more interested in our Buddhist philosophy,” the Dalai Lama said.
The exiled spiritual leader thanked the BTS for honoring him with the memento to celebrate fifty years since the establishment of the society, which was formerly known as Bir Tibetan Woolen-Mill Society and was formed in the year 1967 (Bir Bhaylay Tsokpa)
Rinzin Wangmo, Tibetan Settlement Officer of BTS on the occasion said, “There is a custom of celebrating landmarks, but the committee had decided against it as it also marks the years we have been in exile. Therefore, instead of celebrating, we decided it would be better to express our gratitude to His Holiness, who is the sole reason of our survival.”
