His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s ray of hope! – His Holiness, Tibet’s only hope!

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, despite being revered by people across the
globe has always referred to himself as a simple Buddhist monk. He was born on
6th July 1935 in Amdo Taktser to a farming family and was at first named Lhamo
Dhondup. Simply at the age of 2, he was recognized as the reincarnation of the
13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso. His life as the spiritual leader of Tibet started
from that period. He began his monastic education at the age of six and by the
time, he reached the ripe age of 23, he passed the final examination in Lhasa’s
Jokhang temple. He was awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree equivalent to the
highest doctorate in Buddhist philosophy. However after the illegal occupation of
Tibet by China in the 1950s and the brutal suppression of the Tibetan national
uprising in Lhasa in the year 1959, His Holiness had to flee to exile in India. The
then leader of India, Jawaharlal Nehru accepted the Tibetans and provided asylum
and later resources to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and his people. His Holiness
started facing major challenges from a very young age. China’s intrusion in Tibet
and their well laid plans to illegally occupy the once independent country was a
shocking turn of events for the Tibetans. After reaching exile, His Holiness had to
rebuild the Tibetan community and especially the Tibetan government in exile. He
worked towards the democratization of the government which is why he presented
a draft democratic constitution for Tibet in 1963 which was followed up by a number
of reforms. In May 1990, the reforms set by His Holiness led to the full
democratization of the Tibetan administration. Kashag (the Tibetan cabinet) that
was at first appointed by His Holiness was dissolved along with the Tenth
Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies (the Tibetan parliament in exile). After
planting the strong roots of the Tibetan government, His Holiness in the year 2011,
devolved his political authority to the elected leadership. It was considered by
some as his retirement from the political aspect although he would always remain
as Tibet’s spiritual leader. His Holiness has been the most significant reason why
the Tibetan cause has been supported and is being supported by many. His most
recent meeting was with Ms. Uzra Zeya, the US Special Coordinator on Tibetans
issues at his residence in Dharamsala on 19th May 2022. Ms. Uzra is said to have
forwarded the greetings sent by US President Joe Biden and the people of America
for His Holiness. She also conveyed her best wishes for the Tibetan spiritual
leader‘s good health and thanked His Holiness for spreading the message of
peace and harmony all across the globe. His Holiness and Ms. Uzra reportedly
had a long conversation about the United States and India and their booming
tradition of democracy and freedom. His Holiness also mentioned his four main
commitments in life, namely the Promotion of universal values, Promotion of
religious harmony, Preservation of Tibet’s culture and environment and Revival of
ancient Indian wisdom. Ms. Uzra Zeya’s visit was very important for the Tibetan
government in exile since US has been supporting Tibet and its cause through
various means. This also marked a significant event that would help bring the two
nations closer and would
immensely have a good impact on the Tibet issue.
Another significant event that took place was His Holiness’s message to more than
100 lawmakers and others from 26 countries participating in the event of the Eighth
World Parliamentarians’ Convention on Tibet (WPCT) that started on 22nd June
2022 in Washington DC. His Holiness talked about the Tibetan cause and how it
is an area that needs global support. He mentioned how important it is for Tibetans
to preserve and conserve their culture and language and not just fight endlessly
for the independence for Tibet. He urged the participants then at the meeting to
consider the advancement of the true essence of the Tibetan culture and help find
ways to revive it. His Holiness’s wish for the Tibetan cause to be taken on the
global platform and the world to take it with great concern is clear from his
messages and pleas. His endless hard work for Tibet and its people still goes on
despite his aging. He has faced countless challenges in lieu of the Tibetan struggle
and he might have sort of resigned from the political scene but he tries at all times
to raise the Tibetan issue and to convey its significance to the world. His Holiness
has always been a ray of hope for the Tibetans and for the world as well. Tibetans
in Tibet despite living under the brutal, oppressive rule of the Chinese Communist
party never give up on the Tibetan freedom struggle and in hopes that His Holiness
will one day return back to the Potala Palace. His Holiness’s recent reiteration of
his wishes and prayers to live more than a hundred years to fulfill his devotee’s
wishes has been a joyous news for the Tibetans and his other followers. The
challenges that His Holiness had to face for Tibet and its people has been beyond
one’s imagination. He has however never been the one to boast or spread tales of
his glory. The Chinese government has always tried to demean His Holiness and
called him a separatist during many occasions. His Holiness has however always
handled such situations and circumstances in the most peaceful way possible,
exuding his known depth of wisdom and compassion. His presence has indeed
been a blessing of the Tibetans and for many others as well.