By: Press Release
Source : http://www.tibetcity.com/
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| Tibetans in exile follow Gandhi's footsteps |
Dharamsala : Tibetans, who have been forced to flee their homeland in
China more than half a century ago and have settled across India since
then, have been following in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi, the
apostle of peace and non-violence.
Every year, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the democratically
elected government in exile, holds functions at its headquarters here
to celebrate Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi,
that falls Oct 2.
"Mahatma Gandhiji has made a tremendous contribution to India as well as
the world. His commitment to peace and non-violence is well respected
all over the world," Tibetan political leader Lobsang Sangay said at a
function here Tuesday.
Describing the Mahatma as the most important guru, he said: "As His
Holiness (the Dalai Lama) always mentions, India is our guru (teacher)
and we Tibetans are their chela (disciple) and as far as non-violence is
concerned, Gandhi-ji is one of our most important guru."
Many Tibetans, mainly the youths, are following Gandhi's teachings,
Tashi, secretary of the CTA's department of information and
international relations, told IANS.
He said as a mark of respect to the Mahatma, the CTA has been holding
functions every Gandhi Jayanti since 2007. "We are observing a public
holiday in all CTA offices on this day."
Even the elderly monk, the Dalai Lama, ultimate spiritual and political
leader for millions of Tibetans, is the admirer of Mahatma Gandhi.
"I never met Mahatma Gandhi in person, although I dreamt of doing so. I
admire him because he was a great thinker who put what he thought into
practice," a post on the website of the CTA quoting the spiritual guru
said.
The Dalai Lama was responding to a question about Mahatma Gandhi whose
aphorism "Be the change you want to see" continues to inspire young
people today.
He replied: "Although he (Mahatma Gandhi) had received a thorough
western education as a lawyer, when he returned to India he dressed and
conducted himself like an ordinary and traditional Indian. He showed how
powerful change can start with one individual and spread to others."
The Tibetans have lived in India since 1959 when the Dalai Lama fled his
homeland after a failed uprising against the Chinese rule.
Since then the 77-year-old globe-trotting pontiff has been seeking
autonomy, not independence, through non-violence for his people in Tibet
as he fears their cultural and religious traditions are being slowly
crushed.
In his speeches, he often refers to his own plight at the hands of the Chinese.
"At 16, I lost my freedom, at the age of 24 I lost my own country. Now,
at 77, what I learned is the power of talk. In the spirit of dialogue,
you can't have one side that is defeated and one side win. Open your
hearts; consider others," he said.
Time magazine last year listed Mahatma Gandhi and the Dalai Lama among the world's top 25 political icons.
The Dalai Lama, according to the magazine, "for decades - and from exile
since 1959 - has worked to resolve tensions between Tibet and China.
And like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. before him, the Dalai
Lama has done so in a manner defined by non-violence and tolerance."
Currently, India is home to around 100,000 Tibetans and the
government-in-exile, which has never won recognition from any country.
Source: http://www.tibetcity.com/news11.asp
