By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Aug. 1: The Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama who is in the last leg of his Ladakh tour today reiterated his political stand of not seeking independence for Tibet. The Tibetan leader was addressing a gathering of local Tibetans from the Sonamling Tibetan settlement at the TCV school in Choglamsar.
The Dalai Lama who has officially devolved political leadership said that he is not seeking independence for Tibet but instead put forth the proposal for a genuine autonomy that is prescribed within the constitution of China.
He said, “We are not seeking separation. The Chinese government reference to the Dalai Lama as a separatist has also lessened in the last few years. Those who know about the Tibetan issue knows that we are not seeking independence for Tibet.”
The 83-year-old while urging his people to continue on the path of the ‘middle way approach’ said that while the fight of Tibet is one of truth and justice, its counterpart has always resorted to violence and suppression which is bound to fail eventually. He said that the political landscape is changing and that the support for the ‘middle way approach’ is growing.
The ‘Middle Way Approach’ remains the official stand of the exile Tibetan government known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration. The approach seeks genuine autonomy for Tibetans as stated in the Chinese constitutional rights for minorities.
The egalitarian Tibetan leader finished his last major engagement at Ladakh yesterday by concluding a 2-day teaching on the ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ at Shiwatsel ground for over 30,000 devotees. He also bestowed the ‘White Tara Long Life Empowerment’ for his devotees and assured return to Ladakh next year as well.
The Dalai Lama is scheduled next to visit the Indian coastal state of Goa on August 8 to address students of Goa Institute of Management (GIM) during the 25th anniversary of the institute. He will speak about the importance of traditional Indian knowledge in modern times, sources said.
Video courtesy: Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
