Dharamshala, February 10: His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Monday received the four children of the jailed Tibetan filmmaker Dhondup Wangchen who was arrested before the 2008 Beijing olympics for his film ‘leaving fear behind’.
In a group photo taken at the meeting, His Holiness held up a paper bird of freedom, the symbol of Dhondup Wangchen’s release campaign.
His Holiness was updated by his staff about Dhondup Wangchen’s work and his present situation. His Holiness was briefed about Dhondup Wangchen and his current condition.
Each of the four children had made two paper birds and were able to present one to His Holiness with the hope for a safe return of their father, said a release by the group campaigning for Dhondup’s release. “The children and their caretaker, Tsering Topden, were extremely happy for this great opportunity to meet His Holiness. The children were able to receive blessings before leaving for the United States to join their mother Lhamo Tso, who was granted asylum there last year.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama told the four children Tashi Tsering (boy, 20), Tenzin Norbu (boy, 18), Tenzin Dadon (girl, 16) and Lhamo Dolma (girl, 14) to study hard and wished them best for their future.
Dhondup Wangchen was arrested on March 26, 2008. His six year sentence ends on March 25, 2014, however it was postphoned by the court to June 5, 2014. A global action day for Dhondup Wangchen’s safe return is planned for March 22, 2014.
