Dalai Lama Archives - Lokmarg

Dalai Lama Arrives In Delhi For Medical Check-Up

By LokMarg 8th October 2023

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama arrived at Delhi airport on Sunday afternoon for his medical health check-up.

Visuals show a convoy of cars belonging to the Delhi police lined up in a queue as the Tibetan leader gets out of his car and makes his way to the city.

The spiritual leader left for the national capital early morning today from Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.

Visuals showed the spiritual leader arriving at the Kangra Airport in Dharmshala in his car accompanied by monks. Devotees lined up in a queue to catch a glimpse of the Tibetan leader.

As per sources, Dalai Lama had earlier skipped the session for Taiwanese teachings scheduled for October 2-3 due to bad health.

Sources also told ANI that his upcoming visit to Sikkim can be postponed due to health reasons.

Speaking to ANI, Dalai Lama’s personal secretary, Chhime Rigzin said that there was nothing to worry about and that the Tibetan guru would be back in the next couple of days.

He also informed ANI that the spiritual leader will arrive at the hotel in the national capital today and will visit the hospital, probably AIIMS for a health check-up.

Earlier, Dalai Lama expressed grief over the loss of lives and widespread damage to property that occurred in Sikkim as a result of the flash floods on Tuesday night, his office informed.”In a letter to Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister of Sikkim, today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed his sadness about the loss of life and widespread damage to property that has occurred in Sikkim as a result of the flash flood that took place in the Teesta River Valley last night,” read a press statement.”I offer my condolences to families who have lost loved ones,” he wrote, “as well as others affected by this disaster, and pray for their welfare,” Dalai Lama said.

The Tibetan spiritual leader further said that, as a mark of his solidarity with the people of Sikkim, he has asked the Dalai Lama Trust to make a donation towards relief and rescue efforts. (ANI)

Swedish Parliamentary Delegation Expresses Solidarity With Tibetans

By LokMarg 3rd September 2023

An 11-member Swedish parliamentary delegation attended the 63rd-anniversary celebration of the Tibetan Democracy Day on Saturday and expressed solidarity with Tibetans.

The delegation, led by Margareta Elisabeth Cederfelt, also met the Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and stressed the importance of his message advocating for peace.

The 2nd of September marks the inception of the Tibetan democratic system in exile. On September 2, 1960, the Dalai Lama established the Tibetan parliament which was made up of elected representatives from all three provinces of Tibet as well as the religious orders.

Responding to a question on how they are engaging with the Swedish parliament and the government to advocate for Tibetans? Cederfelt said, “As parliamentarians, we are working with the tools we have in the parliament. It’s, of course, debates. We are raising questions about Tibet. We are talking about Tibet. We have mentioned Tibet in our debates. I know that there are a lot of colleagues who have written bills on Tibet, also working together with the Swedish Tibetan Committee. That’s also very important.”

“And we are receiving guests from Tibet. Honourable Sikyong has visited the Swedish Parliament. We have had visits by parliamentarians. We have had visits from religious leaders. And I think that’s also very important. And as MPs, we are active in our various constituencies and always speaking with people. I have a lot of and so are my colleagues, a lot of contacts with people all over Sweden, and we have discussions very often about democracy, about Tibet. It’s coming up,” she added.

Lauding the Tibetan government in exile, she said that it gave equal voting rights to everybody irrespective of gender, age, and other social classifications and similarly everybody had equal rights to stand for election.

Condemning the colonial boarding school system in Tibet by China, she urged China to give Tibetans the freedom to practice their religion, culture, and language and preserve their Tibetan identity.

Another Swedish MP Richard Johannes Jomshof said that Tibet has strong supporters in Sweden. He further stated that the Dalai Lama is well respected in Sweden.

“What we can do as parliamentarians will do our best, of course, but also among Swedish citizens in general… it’s a golden opportunity to raise the questions about Tibet as well and to make people aware of what’s been going on for a very long time,” he added. (ANI)

Pure Offence: China Fumes After US special Envoy Meets Dalai Lama

By LokMarg 10th July 2023

Amid soaring tensions between the United States and China, Beijing has firmly opposed the meeting of Joe Biden administration’s top official on human rights, Uzra Zeya, with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in the national capital.

Strongly objecting to the meeting, Beijing has asked Washington to stop meddling in the internal affairs of China under the pretext of Tibet-related issues.
Taking to Twitter, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India, Wang Xiaojian, said, “The US should take concrete actions to honour its commitment of acknowledging Xizang as part of China, stop meddling in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of Xizang-related issues, and offer no support to the anti-China separatist activities of the Dalai clique.

“Xizang (Tibet) affairs are purely internal affairs of China and no external forces have the right to interfere. China firmly opposes any form of contact between foreign officials and the ‘Tibetan independence’ forces,” the Chinese spokesperson added.

This follows after Zeya met with the Dalai Lama during her India visit, according to Central Tibetan administration, a non-profit political organisation, which works for the Tibetan government in exile.

The Chinese Embassy spokesperson stated that the designation of Uzra Zeya as Special Coordinator for Tibet issues is “pure offence” and a political manipulation to “interfere in China’s internal affairs” and “undermine Tibet’s development and stability.”

China has always been firmly opposed to this and has never recognized it, the spokesperson said.

“The 14th Dalai Lama is by no means just a religious figure, but rather a political exile who has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities and attempting to split Xizang from China,” Wang Xiaojian said.

“The so-called ‘Tibetan government-in-exile’ is an out-and-out separatist political group and an illegal organization completely in violation of China’s Constitution and laws. It is not recognized by any country in the world,” the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in India said.

On July 9, US official Zeya tweeted, “Namaste, New Delhi! Look forward to productive meetings with Government of India & civil society leaders building on momentum of @narendramodi ‘s historic State Visit. Together, we are working toward a world that is more open, prosperous, secure, inclusive & resilient!”

The US Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues is on a 7-day visit to two nations — India and Bangladesh– from July 8-14.

US State Department in a statement had said that during her India visit, she is expected to meet with senior government officials to discuss the deepening and enduring US-India partnership, including advancing shared solutions to global challenges, democracy, regional stability, and cooperation on humanitarian relief.

Zeya is being accompanied by US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu.

Zeya was appointed as the special coordinator for Tibetan Issues in December 2021. (ANI)

Dalai Lama Says Open To Talks With China Over Tibetan Problems

By LokMarg 8th July 2023

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said that he is open for talks with China over the problems of Tibetans and the Chinese, “officially or unofficially” wanted to contact him.

“I am always open to talk. Now China also realises that the spirit of Tibetan people is very strong. So, in order to deal with Tibetan problems they want to contact me. I am also ready”, he said.
The Dalai Lama made the remarks while to speaking to reporters in Dharamshala before embarking on a visit to Delhi and Ladakh.

Responding to a question on whether he wishes to resume talks with China, he said, “We are not seeking independence, we have decided since many years that we remain the part of People’s Republic of China…Now China is changing. The Chinese, officially or unofficially want to contact me”.

On July 6, Dalai Lama celebrated his 88th birthday and visited the Main Tibetan Temple courtyard in Dharamshala, adjacent to his residence. While addressing the gathering during the celebrations the Dalai Lama said that he has not been angry with anyone, not even those Chinese leaders who have adopted a harsh attitude towards Tibet, according to the official statement released on Dalai Lama’s website.

“I was born in Tibet and I bear this name Dalai Lama, but in addition to working for the cause of Tibet, I’ve been working for the welfare of all sentient beings. I’ve done whatever I could without losing hope or allowing my determination to flag,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said.

“I’m angry with no one, not even those Chinese leaders who have adopted a harsh attitude towards Tibet. Indeed, China has historically been a Buddhist country as witnessed by the many temples and monasteries I saw when I visited that land,” he added.

In his remarks, Dalai Lama said knowledge of Tibetan culture and religion can benefit the world at large. He said, “I believe there is knowledge within Tibetan culture and religion that can benefit the world at large. However, I also respect all other religious traditions because they encourage their followers to cultivate love and compassion.”

He further said, “According to indications in my own dreams and other predictions, I expect to live to be more than 100 years old. I’ve served others until now and I’m determined to continue to do so. Please pray for my long life on that basis.”

Earlier in April, Dalai Lama called for a focus on wisdom and compassion as he highlighted the situation in Tibet by giving his own example and stressed upon looking at the current situation from a broader perspective.

Addressing the gathering on the second day at the Global Buddhist Summit 2023 in New Delhi, the Dalai Lama had said, “I can also share with you that by engaging in this kind of inner development and particularly focusing on Wisdom and compassion. It really can help increase our courage as well. For example: in the case of my dealing with the current struggle and situation of Tibet, if you think just only about it from a narrow-angle, you can lose your hope.”

“But if you look at this crisis and look at this current situation from the broader perspective of the courage that cultivation and compassion give you, then you can have a much more resilient mind. So, even in your daily life, there might be problems which may seem enormous and unbearable. Still, if you have the courage, you will be in a much stronger position to turn adversities into opportunities,” he added.

The Dalai Lama had earlier too said that majority of people in China realise that he is not seeking “independence” within China but meaningful autonomy and preservation of Tibetan Buddhist culture.

Last year he had told reporters in Jammu during a visit to Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh that “Not Chinese people, but some Chinese hardliners consider me a separatist. Now, more and more Chinese are realising that Dalai Lama not seeking independence but within China meaningful autonomy and to preserve Tibetan Buddhist culture.” (ANI)

China’s Efforts To Destroy Buddhism Won’t Succeed: Dalai Lama

By LokMarg 1st January 2023

In a sharp attack on China’s moves to eliminate Buddhism, the Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama has said China is attempting to target and destroy Buddhism but it won’t succeed.

Speaking on the third and last day teaching program at Kalachakra Maidan in Bodh Gaya on Saturday, the Tibetan spiritual leader accused China of considering Buddhism poisonous and of carrying out a systematic campaign to destroy and weed it out from China, by destroying its institutions, but it has totally failed in doing so.
At the Bodh Gaya event Dalai Lama said, “We have strong faith in Buddha dharma, when I visit trans-Himalayan regions, I find local people very devoted to dharma and it is the case in Mongolia and in China too though the system (Chinese government) sees dharma as poison and tried to destroy it, they are not successful. Buddhism was harmed by the Chinese government. Buddhism could not be destroyed by China. Even today, there are many people who believe in Buddhism in China.”

Dalai Lama said that the Chinese government destroyed many Buddhist Viharas, but the number of followers of Buddhism has not decreased in China.

He said that many Buddhist monasteries still exist in China and people there have a deep connection with Buddhism.

“Those who are showing faith in me as well as faith in Buddhism must accept the Bodhicitta (spiritual awakening) that I am imparting. Be it Tibetan or Mongolian or China, there are many Buddhist monasteries in China. I have been to China many times. Many Buddha Viharas exist there even today. People have Buddhism and Buddha in their minds. There is a lot of attachment towards Buddhism. The Chinese have an ancient relationship with Buddhism,” he said.

He asked to practice Bodhicitta for the benefit of self or others.

“If we look at Tibetan tradition also, Shakyas practice Bodhicitta in Nigama, Bodhicitta keeps the mind and body long and gives longevity. This also gives good sleep. Looking at the welfare of all, nothing can be better than this. Through the practice of Bodhicitta, the evils and sorrows within can be removed,” Dalai Lama said.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu also attended a teaching program by Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama at Kalachakra Maidan in Bodh Gaya on Saturday.

More than 80,000 Buddhist devotees heard the discourse by the Dalai Lama.

A group of high-ranking Sri Lankan Buddhist Monks, who were on a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya recently, sought his Holiness Dalai Lama’s visit to Sri Lanka, which is reeling under a severe economic crisis.

They met the Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in Bodh Gaya on December 27 and were overwhelmed by witnessing a large gathering at the holy city.

The high-ranking monk wished the Dalai Lama to visit Sri Lanka and help to overcome the economic hardships his country has been facing currently. (ANI)

Chinese Threat To Dalai Lama Averted

By LokMarg 29th December 2022

The Bihar police have detained a suspected Chinese woman in Bodh Gaya in connection with an alleged threat to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama and are interrogating her, JS Gangwar, ADG (headquarters) confirmed to ANI.

The ADG (headquarters) said that she had been detained in connection with the alleged threat to Dalai Lama.
“Police detained the suspected (Chinese) woman in Bodh Gaya in connection with an alleged threat to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. She is being interrogated,” he said.

Earlier in the morning, a security alert was sounded in Bodh Gaya district where the Dalai Lama is scheduled to participate in public discourses after intelligence agencies alerted local police about a Chinese woman’s presence and suspected activities.

The security agencies released the sketch of the suspected woman and started searching for the Chinese woman in Gaya, suspected of spying on the Dalai Lama.

Gaya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Harpreet Kaur said, “Local police have received inputs about a Chinese woman who has been living in Gaya. We were getting inputs on her for the last two years. In view of this, an alert has been given and searches are underway.”

“There is no information at present about the location of the Chinese woman. We cannot rule out suspicion of her being a Chinese spy,” SSP Kaur said.

According to inputs, the suspected Chinese spy had been living in different parts of the country including Bodh Gaya for more than one year. However, there is no record in the foreign section about the stay of the Chinese woman.

The Dalai Lama has this year resumed his annual tour to Bodh Gaya, which had been suspended for the last two years due to the Covid pandemic. (ANI)

Dalai Lama Highlights ‘Ups And Downs’ Between India-China Amid Tawang Clash

By LokMarg 21st December 2022

Amid the ongoing tensions between India and China, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Wednesday highlighted the ups and downs between the two Countries.

While speaking at a public talk on “Compassionate and secular ethics – Educating the heart and mind” in Gurugram on Wednesday, the Tibetan spiritual leader said, “India and China are the two most populous countries. In recent decades too many ups and downs. India is a democracy and respects all religions. India’s tradition is very good. So young Indians should keep India’s thousand-year-old secular tradition.”
The Tibetan spiritual leader also shed light on India’s concept of Karuna and Ahimsa and urged everyone to preserve it. “This world ultimately depends on whole-heartedness. No distinctions between communities and religions. We smile at each other and pray together. India’s concept of ‘Karuna’ and ‘Ahimsa’ is a key thing and we must preserve it,” he said.

Dalai Lama stressed that nowadays human brains are being used as weapons to destroy neighbours. “So, now we look at the world. Aggression, atrocity, violence, so many people are killed, keen to create nuclear weapons. In the last few centuries, too much violence. Now, the human brain is used for weapons, how to kill, and how to destroy your neighbour. That is totally wrong,” he added.

Stressing the fact to build a peaceful world without a weapon, the leader said that peace and violence depend upon us. “We are all the same human beings. All have to live together without any violence. When we pray for world peace, peace will not come from the sky, violence doesn’t come from the sky, all depend on us. In our brain basically, we have this nation, that nation, this religion, that religion. That causes fighting. That is outdated. Disagreements should be resolved, keeping in mind that all are our brothers and sisters, and should build a world without a weapon,” he said.

Calling ancient Indian masters as his source of inspiration, the leader called Indian tradition ‘extremely rich’ and ‘useful’ and asked the young generation to preserve it.

“The Indian tradition is extremely rich, particularly about the mind. Modern India should pay more attention to ancient India tradition. We should not neglect the knowledge of our mind”.

“Ancient Indian Masters are my source of inspiration. These are completely based on reasoning and thinking. I am a student of that tradition”, he said.

Earlier on Monday, said that India is a perfect place and his permanent residence and that he prefers India.

While responding to a query over the Tawang clash, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama at Kangra airport in Himachal Pradesh said, “Now things… Generally speaking, things are improving, I think in Europe and Africa and also in Asia. Now China is also now more flexible. Ok. But there is no point to return to China. I prefer India, the best place and Kangra, Pandit Nehru’s choice. This place is my permanent residence. It’s very right. Thank you.”

This statement came in the backdrop of the December 9 clash where People’s Liberation Army troops contacted the LAC in the Tawang Sector which was contested by Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner. This face-off led to minor injuries to a few personnel from both sides.

Giving a statement in the Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh explained to the House about an incident and said, “On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally change the status quo. The Chinese attempt was contested by our troops in a firm and resolute manner. The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts.”

He further said “the scuffle led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides”, and clarified that “there are no fatalities or serious casualties on our side”.

“Due to the timely intervention of Indian military commanders, PLA soldiers went back to their locations,” Singh said.

As a follow-up of the incident, the Minister further said, the local commander in the area held a “flag meeting with his counterpart on December 11, 2022, to discuss the issue in accordance with established mechanisms”.

“The Chinese side was asked to refrain from such actions and maintain peace and tranquillity along the border. The issue has also been taken up with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels,” Singh said. (ANI)