By Phurbu Thinley
Dharamsala, August 29: The representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Australia has urged Tibetans, Tibet supporters and peace-loving people in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia, to join in a worldwide non-violent action for Tibet on Saturday.
“I personally request Tibetans, Tibet supporters and peace loving people in Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia to join the Global Action of Prayers and Fasting on Saturday 30 August 2008,” Mr Tenzin Phuntsok Atisha, the representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Australia, said in a statement issued Wednesday.
“This is an extremely important non-violent action undertaken by the Tibetans under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in a very critical period for Tibet, particularly the post Olympic period,” Mr Atisha said “according to Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) Professor Samdhong Rinpoche of the Central Tibetan Administration in India”.
The latest statement from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s office said the Tibetan leader will now join in the non-violent campaign from Mumbai after doctors looking after him have had assured there is absolutely “no cause for concern” over his health.
The Tibetan leader earlier on Wednesday canceled all his schedules for the next three weeks after complaining exhaustion and was admitted in a Mumbai hospital on Thursday for abdominal “discomfort”.
“On this auspicious day, Tibetans and Tibet supporters around the world, led by the His Holiness Dalai Lama, will observe a symbolic 12-hour fast with prayers,” Atisha said.
Mr Atisha said, “The fast is symbolic of Tibetans’ re-commitment to the path of non-violence, aims to bring relief to those enduring hardship in Tibet”.
The Tibetan PM Prof. Rinpoche earlier, in his own personal request statement, had described the synchronized 12-hr worldwide campaign, spearheaded by the Tibetan Solidarity Committee, as an effort ‘to create wisdom and compassion in the minds of the oppressor”.
In Australia and New Zealand, Mr Atisha said, “People will be gathering to observe the fast at a number of events organised by Tibetan Community Associations, Dharma Centres and Tibet Support Groups”.
Click Here for: Details of events around Australia & New Zealand
To read the full text of the Tibetan Solidarity Committee, Click Here
