XPost: hk.politics, soc.culture.china, soc.culture.indian
XPost: soc.culture.usa, talk.politics.tibet

Leh, Ladakh, J&K — His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that Tibetans have
no freedom inside Tibet with some hard-line Chinese officials see our
Tibetan identity as a threat to separate Tibet from China. Therefore,
they have tried to eliminate Tibetan culture and language.

The spiritual leader of Tibet also encouraged Tibetans to be united as one community, to speak to the world on the basis of our own traditions. "Our Tibetan culture is a culture of peace, of non-violence and of compassion,"
said an official post on Monday, citing His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Zangdok Palri on Sunday morning, not
far from his residence. His Holiness was welcomed by representatives of
the Himalayan Buddhist Association, organizers of a conference celebrating Thonmi Sambhota, who created literary Tibetan 1372 years ago.

In their introductory remarks Tashi Rabgye and Tsering Dorjee noted the importance of Thonmi Sambhota's achievement to the translation of Buddhist literature into Tibetan. The Kangyur and Tengyur collections created
as a result have for centuries been crucial to the culture of Tibet and
the trans-Himalayan region. The speakers also expressed gratitude to His Holiness for encouraging the development of Ladakh and its culture since
he came into exile.

In his address, His Holiness referred to the historic cultural and
spiritual ties between Ladakh and Tibet and expressed his appreciation of
the convening of the conference.

"Although Thonmi Sambhota is known to have composed eight texts on Tibetan language and grammar", he remarked, "only two, dealing with grammar, the Sumchupa and Takyi Jugpa, survive. Whether you call it Bhoti or Tibetan,
this written language is important because it preserves the profound
Buddhist culture we share. In today's rational world the epistemological
texts of Dignaga and Dharmakirti, only available in Tibetan, provide us
with tools for analyzing the nature of reality.

"We should not regard Buddhism only as a religion, but also as a source
of knowledge and education. As a science of mind it can teach us how to
deal with disturbing emotions such as anger, jealousy and greed. This can
bring peace of mind that is of benefit to the individual, his or her family
and community, and the world at large. If the idea of pratitya-samutpada, interdependence, were more widely understood, there would be no room for violence among our human brothers and sisters."

His Holiness explained that the content of the Kangyur and Tengyur can be classified as dealing with science, philosophy and religion. He referred
to the ongoing project to make the scientific and philosophical material
more widely available. A Compendium of Science has already been compiled
in Tibetan and is being translated into English, Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, German, Mongolian, Russian, and Vietnamese.

"This Conference should not be merely a celebration of Thonmi Sambhota,"
His Holiness concluded, "but an opportunity to teach school children and
their parents the significance of the language in which Kangyur and Tengyur
are written."

At the SOS TCV Choglamsar football ground, His Holiness was received
by the local elected Chief Representative of Ladakh along with local
Tibetan officials and the Director of SOS TCV Choglamsar. He was given a traditional Tibetan welcome. On the stage, he was greeted by Ganden Tripa Rizong Rinpoche.

Addressing close to 5000 Tibetans, His Holiness spoke about the common
identity of people from the Land of Snow and their efforts to preserve their unique culture, language and religion. He said that just as the Chinese
people have their own ancient cultural heritage of which they are proud, Tibetans too are proud to be Tibetans and make efforts to protect their
rich heritage and identity.

"Unfortunately, some hard-line Chinese officials see our Tibetan identity
as a threat to separate Tibet from China. Therefore, they have tried to eliminate our Tibetan culture and language. Tibetans are compelled to
learn Chinese in schools. Without knowledge of Chinese, Tibetans in Tibet
are unable to find good jobs."

In the 7th century, he said, the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo commissioned Thonmi Sambhota to create a written form of Tibetan. Later, Emperor Trisong Detsen turned to India rather than China and invited the Nalanda master Shantarakshita to establish Buddhism in Tibet. Consequently, Tibetan
Buddhism, which incorporates the Nalanda tradition, takes a rational
scientific approach to investigation. Today, many people, including
scientists and educated young Indians, are showing an interest in Buddhism
and Tibetan is the language in which it is most accurately conveyed.

Turning to the Ladakhis in the audience, His Holiness said: "We are very grateful to have been able to establish our schools and settlements here [Ladakh] and I would like to thank you."

"Since the time of Nehru, the Indian Government has been extremely kind
and helpful to the Tibetan people. Here in Ladakh Bakula Rinpoche and Sonam Norbu fostered a special friendship between Tibetans and Ladakhis," he added.

"Tibetans have no freedom inside Tibet, where Tibetan culture and religion
are endangered. However, here in India, Tibetans as well as the people
of the Himalayan regions, from Ladakh up to Mön, have the freedom and opportunity to preserve our Buddhist traditions and their related culture."

His Holiness concluded by saying: "It is very important for Tibetans to be united as one community. We must all make efforts in this regard. History
will remember our efforts, so we must constantly rededicate ourselves with courage and see the present circumstances as an opportunity to fulfil our potential. Our Tibetan culture is a culture of peace, of non-violence and of compassion. This is the kind of culture the world's entire 7 billion people need. Therefore, I believe we Tibetans have a significant contribution to
make to the world on the basis of our own traditions."

http://www.thetibetpost.com/en/news/international/5124-tibetans-have-no-freedom-inside-tibet-says-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)