Tibetans don’t see China as enemy: Dalai Lama

DHARAMSALA: “Tibetans don’t see China as enemy but as a friend. We have not gathered here against China but for truth and justice. We consider China as our friend and strongly believe in principle of give and take and mutual benefit,” said the Dalai Lama while addressing a public felicitation function organised by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) for the visit of the US Congressional delegation here today.

The Dalai Lama addresses a public felicitation function organised by the Central Tibetan Administration for the US Congressional delegation in McLeodganj. Photo: Kamaljeet

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, May 10

“Tibetans don’t see China as enemy but as a friend. We have not gathered here against China but for truth and justice. We consider China as our friend and strongly believe in principle of give and take and mutual benefit,” said the Dalai Lama while addressing a public felicitation function organised by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) for the visit of the US Congressional delegation here today.

People, who support the Tibet cause, are also not pro-Tibetan but pro-justice and pro-truth. Even Chinese people have started to realise this and are supporting the Tibet cause,” he said.

The Dalai Lama attended the public felicitation organised by the CTA in the honour of the US Congressional delegation, led by US Democrat Nancy Pelosi. The felicitation was attended by hundreds of Tibetans and Tibet supporters at the Tsuglagkhang temple.

The Dalai Lama described the US as the global leader for world peace. “America is a leading nation of the free world and plays a pivotal role in the promotion of peace. Nancy Pelosi has been one of the longest friends and supporters of the Tibetans, who has stood with us in the most critical times. I thank all of you for expressing your genuine support for the Tibetan cause and solidarity for Tibetans inside Tibet,” he said.

He emphasised his commitment to non-violence and said the challenge before them was to make the new century, a century of non-violence and dialogue.

Nancy Pelosi praised the Dalai Lama as a man of compassion, vision and hope. She said, “Anytime, anywhere a person can be in the presence of the Dalai Lama is a special occasion. I am proud to be here with the delegation from across America.”

“We came to see you as you have inspired us with your hope. I am more hopeful than ever that we will meet the challenges that face us. My hope springs from the Dalai Lama’s message of compassion. Hope exists right where His Holiness tells us, right between deep faith in the goodness of others, belief and compassion,” she said.

“When we saw the spark in the eyes of the children yesterday at the Tibetan Children’s Village, we saw hope that they will one day return to Tibet. When we saw the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts last night and today, we saw the hope that they would bring the authenticity of the Tibetan art home to Tibet. When we heard the leadership of President Sangay, we saw hope for the progress of the freedom for Tibet,” she said.

In an emotional recollection of the US Congressional visit to Tibet in November 2015, Pelosi said, “We went to the Potala Palace and we saw the room where His Holiness lived. We promised each other then and there that we would do everything in our power to make sure he would return to that place.”

President of the Central Tibetan Administration Lobsang Sangay, in his address, described the Dalai Lama as the life and soul of Tibet. “The Dalai Lama, we believe, is the manifestation of the Buddha of compassion (Chenresig). Chenresig and Tibetans are inseparable. Dalai Lamas and Tibetans are also forever connected. Therefore, as long as there is Tibet and as long as there is Tibetan people, the Dalai Lama will return to this world to alleviate their sufferings,” he said.

Sikyong further described the grim political situation prevailing inside Tibet, which has led 147 Tibetans to self-immolate in protest.

China protests to US

Beijing: China on Wednesday lodged a diplomatic protest with the US over a Congressional delegation's meeting with the Dalai Lama in India, saying the move sent a "wrong signal" to the world and violated America's commitment not to support Tibet's independence. "The 14th Dalai Lama is a political exile who has long been engaged in anti-China separatist activities in foreign countries under the pretext of religion, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a media briefing. He was replying to questions on a US bipartisan Congressional delegation headed by House Democrat Nancy Pelosi meeting the 81-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader in Dharamsala. PTI