Preservation of culture key to Tibetan cause: Dalai Lama

Dharamsala, February 24

On the occasion of Chotrul Duechen, the day of offerings celebrated on the 15th day of the first Tibetan month, the Dalai Lama gave teachings on the Jataka Tales (life stories of the Buddha) at the main Tibetan Temple in Dharamsala today.

The Dalai Lama also sent a message for the ongoing 9th International Conference of Tibet Support Groups, which commenced today in Brussels, Belgium. The message was read during the inaugural ceremony of the three-day conference by Kalon (Minister) Norzin Dolma of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), Central Tibetan Administration.

The Dalai Lama wrote, “The widespread interest of the international community across the world has been a major source of encouragement and support in our efforts to preserve our identity and keep the Tibetan cause alive.”

He said that despite the rapid change in the global political environment, the fundamental issue of Tibet remains the same. While emphasising the religious aspects of Tibetan Buddhism that promotes compassion and non-violence, he said, “The question of Tibet was not merely a matter of justice and human rights, but about the preservation of Tibet’s unique and distinct culture, which had the potential to contribute to human development.”

He highlighted the concerning issue of Tibet’s ecology in the letter and raised the increasing human activities and heating rate on the Tibetan plateau, posing a severe threat to Asia’s water balance. As the Tibetan plateau provides freshwater resources to over two billion people, who comprise 30 per cent of the global population, he said, “Protection of the Tibetan environment was truly a global concern.”