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Tibetans hold global fast and prayer for world peace and freedom in Tibet

By Lobsang Wangyal | Tibet Sun

Dalai Lama devotees and supporters pray for world peace in front of a portrait of the Tibetan spiritual leader placed on the altar during a half-day fast at Gokokuji temple in Tokyo, Saturday morning, 30 August 2008, an auspicious day for Tibetans. About 40 people are taking part in the 12-hour fast in Japan that began early in the morning.AP/Katsumi Kashara/Japan

The Dalai Lama observed the fast and prayed from his hospital in Mumbai. He was hospitalised on Thursday after he complained of exhaustion and abdominal discomfort.

“Doctors say that His Holiness has no health issues, except that he is exhausted and need rest,” said Tenzin Taklha, a secretary to the Dalai Lama. He is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Monday.

“He may stay in Mumbai for a few more days to rest,” Taklha added.

The Prime Minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile Samdhong Rinpoche led the 12-hour fast and prayer in Dharamshala. Around 5000 people, including the officials of the exile government, monks, nuns, students, the general public, and many foreign supporters, gathered at the Tsuglakhang temple to take part in the event.

Rinpoche said that the fast was not a hunger-strike protest. “This activity is not a protest led by hatred, rancour and anger, but by the teachings of the Lord Buddha in all the vehicles to refrain from harming others and do everything to benefit others with love and compassion.”

He said that the programme was to pay condolences and homage to those who lost their lives and those who are imprisoned, tortured and beaten in the recent uprisings in Tibet.

The fast and the prayers were also intended to sympathise for the victims of the earthquakes in Sichuan and the one in South-western Tibet recently, and the flood disaster in some other parts of China as well.

Rinpoche said that the Tibetans have no record of violence in their movement. “We have to strengthen our commitment and reinforce the power of non-violence to bring an end to the suffering in Tibet.”

He lamented that due to violence in vocal expressions and thoughts by some Tibetans, their efforts, instead of producing results, have become stuck in a vicious circle.

Reports coming in say that about 40 Tibetan supporters took part in the 12-hour fast and prayer session at Gokokuji temple in Tokyo on Saturday morning.

Tibetans in Nepal also took part in a 12-hour hunger strike in Kathmandu.

Copyright © 2008 Tibet Sun

Published in Tibet Sun