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India has the duty to help Tibet: Dalai Lama

By Lobsang Wangyal | Tibet Sun

The Dalai Lama interacting with media persons after inaugurating the Lion’s Club of Dharamshala, India. He said he was not participating in the Special Meeting of the Tibetans in order to avoid influencing frank duscussion amongst the participants. Around 600 Tibetans from around the world have gathered in Dharamshala to discuss the future of Tibet after failed talks with China. Tibet Sun/Lobsang Wangyal/India

The Dalai Lama called for India’s help to resolve the Tibetan issue during a function in Dharamshala.

Enumerating the ancient relations between India and Tibet, he said the two countries have a ‘guru and chela’ (teacher and disciple) relationship. “When ‘chela’ is passing through difficult times, it is ‘guru’s’ duty to help the ‘chela.’”

Interacting with media persons after inaugurating The Lion’s Club of Dharamshala, he said he was not attending the six-day brainstorming Special Meeting of the Tibetans held from 17 to 22 November to avoid influencing frank discussion by the participants.

He is expected to meet the press on 23 November, after he receives the final report from the Special Meeting.

He said he has committed his life for promotion of human values, inter-religious harmony and the free Tibet movement. However, he said that the issue of Tibet is a ‘complicated’ one.

Although he said he feels like half Indian, he expressed regret over not having equipped himself with Hindi. “I know a few things — khana (food), thanda pani (cold water), garam pani (hot water), guru and chela,” he said.

The Dalai Lama agreed to donate 13 lakh rupees (29,000 USD approx) to pay off the Club’s debt.

Copyright © 2008 Tibet Sun

Published in Tibet Sun