Phayul, February 24, 2009
By Phurbu Thinley
Exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama Tuesday said he admired the resolute decision made by Tibetans both in and outside Tibet to forgo “celebratory activities” during the Tibetan New Year or, Losar, which begins tomorrow.
“I admire the determined move by Tibetans, inside and outside of Tibet, not to indulge in celebratory activities during this New Year,” the Tibetan leader said in his New Year message to the Tibetan people.
In the text message posted on the Dalai Lama’s official website, the supreme spiritual and temporal leader of Tibetan people extended his New Year greetings to them.
“On the occasion of the Earth-Ox New Year of the 17th Rabjung cycle in the Tibetan Royal Year 2136, I would like to greet all Tibetans, both inside and outside of Tibet. I pray that there be peace and prosperity, and that our just cause may see gradual resolution,” he said.
“However, last year in Tibet we witnessed hundreds of Tibetans losing their lives, and several thousands facing detention and torture, in response to the widespread display by Tibetans all over Tibet of their discontentment with the Chinese authorities’ policies,” the Dalai Lama said.
Losar is traditionally the biggest holiday for Tibetans, but Tibetans in Tibet and around the world vowed not to celebrate it this year as they want to remember those who died in last year’s protests against Chinese rule.
Tibetan exile groups say at least 200 Tibetans were killed and more than a 1000 went missing in the subsequent Chinese military crackdown.
“Therefore, since they faced immense difficulties and sufferings, the occasion of this New Year is certainly not a period when we can have the usual celebrations and gaiety,” His Holiness added.
The Dalai Lama said: “Instead, everyone should utilize this period in abandoning non-virtuous acts and engaging in positive actions …”
“The dedication should also go to those currently undergoing suffering so that they may immediately be able to enjoy the happiness of freedom. Through such an accumulation of collective merits we should all strive for an early solution to the just cause of Tibet.”
The boycott of Losar celebration, which actually comes just two weeks before the 50th anniversary of the abortive Tibetan uprising, has been a cause of concern for Chinese authorities in Tibet.China’s military last month began a crackdown in Tibetan capital Lhasa, with raids on residential areas, Internet cafes, bars and rented rooms, Chinese state-run media reported. Security forces rounded up nearly 6000 “suspects” for questioning and detained up to 81 during the operation “Strike Hard” by Jan. 24.(…)
Read the rest of Dalai Lama said he admires forgoing Losar celebrations (279 words)
This article Dalai Lama said he admires forgoing Losar celebrations was originally posted at Tibetan Incense Blog.
© Leo Golan for Tibetan Incense Blog, 2009. |
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Cool
thanks for interesting post !