By Phurbu Thinley
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His Holiness the
Dalai Lama briefly addressed a gathering of the
small Tibetan community in Japan before his
scheduled departure to India on Friday. (Photo by
Tenzin Dasel/Phayul)
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Tokyo, November
23, Phayul: Calling Tibetans in Japan “Tibetan good-will
ambassadors” in the country, His Holiness Dalai Lama today
said it was worthwhile to inherit and preserve Tibetan
cultural values.
“You are the Tibetan good-will ambassadors here in
Japan,” the Dalai Lama told a small emotionally charged
Tibetan gathering at the Royal Park hotel before quickly
rushing to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport to return
back to India.
The Tibetan leader urged the small scattered Tibetan
community in Japan to correlate with the “Japanese
friends” and “Chinese people in the country”, and
create true and factual awareness on the issue of Tibet.
“Just let the Chinese brothers and sisters know clearly
the true accounts of how we suffered, particularly in the
last 60 years, when you meet them”, His Holiness told the
Tibetans.
“You don’t have to argue or fight with them. Just
explain the factual and true accounts of the Tibet issue. It
helps,” the Dalai Lama added.
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Emotionally charged
Tibetan women cry after receiving blessing from the
Dalai Lama as he left hotel for the Tokyo
international airport to return to India on Friday.
(Photo by Phurbu Thinley/Phayul)
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“Even among Chinese people, when they learn the truth
about Tibet issue, they start showing sympathy towards our
struggle,” His Holiness said adding, “we must develop a
better relationship with them”.
The Tibetan leader further insisted young Tibetans and their
parents to pay fuller attention on modern education while at
the same time not losing Tibetan language, identity and
Buddhist spiritual values.
“While it is very important to have modern education, it
will, however, be sad if you lose Tibetan language and
culture,” he added.
Before addressing the Tibetans, the Dalai Lama reportedly
met with eight members of the Japanese Parliamentary Group
for Tibet. His Holiness briefed the delegation on his middle
way approach of seeking genuine autonomy for Tibet.
The parliamentary group, led by Mr Hatoyama and Mr Igarashi,
expressed continued support for His Holiness’ commitment
to resolve the issue of Tibet meaningfully through
non-violence and spirit of dialogue. However, during the
visit, top leaders of Japan have refrained from meeting the
Tibetan leader fearing such a move would freeze its healing
ties with China.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was, however, well received by
major religious groups and private schools during the visit.
On Tuesday, the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and
recipient of the US Congressional gold Medal this year,
addressed one of Japan’s largest Buddhist congregation in
recent times at the National Convention Hall of Yokohama.
The Tibetan leader today returned to India, his home country
in exile after completing his nine-day tour of Japan. |
