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Dalai Lama's Losar message: pray for martyrs

By Lobsang Wangyal

The Dalai Lama reads from a scripture during a prayer session on the eve of Tibetan New Year, Losar, at Bylakuppe Tibetan settlement, Karnataka State in south India. In a message on the eve of Losar, he asked Tibetans to pray for the martyrs of the last years’ protests in Tibet.Tibet Sun/Lobsang Wangyal/India

Unlike offering his usual salutations of Tashi Dele with his famous smile to Tibetans on Losar, the Tibetan New Year, the Dalai Lama asked Tibetans to pray for the martyrs of the last years’ protests in Tibet. On this, the eve of the most important Tibetan holidays.

He criticised China of adopting cruel and provocative policies in Tibet that forces Tibetans to remonstrate, giving the Chinese authorities the excuse to clampdown severely on the Tibetan people.

Over 200 Tibetans have been reportedly killed in Tibet last year, and several thousand were detained and tortured. Chinese security forces clamped down forcefully on the Tibetan protests against the Chinese rule in Tibet.

“Therefore, since they faced immense difficulties and sufferings, the occasion of this New Year is certainly not a period when we can have the usual celebrations and gaiety,” the Dalai Lama said in a message released in Bylakuppe.

Losar this year on Wednesday 25 February, corresponds to first day of the first month in the Earth Ox 2136 Tibetan year. China has passed provocative orders for special celebrations of the Tibetan New Year in Tibet.

Tibetans, both inside and outside of Tibet, campaigned for no-Losar this year to remember the those who were killed last year and those still suffering under Chinese detention. Coinciding with the run up to the 50th anniversary of the failed uprising against the Chinese rule, to not have the usual New Years celebrations.

The Dalai Lama said the protests were in response to the widespread display by Tibetans all over Tibet of their discontentment with the Chinese authorities’ policies.

“I admire the determined move by Tibetans, inside and outside of Tibet, not to indulge in celebratory activities during this New Year.”

He urged Tibetans to utilise this period in abandoning non-virtuous acts. To engage in positive actions to cultivate virtuous merits, so that all those who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet, including those who lost their lives in the tragic events of the past year. May have quick realisation of Buddhahood through successive rebirth in higher realms.

He also expressed concern for those currently undergoing suffering.

Criticising the re-launch of the ‘strike-hard’ campaign and the heavy presence of armed security and military forces in most of the cities all over Tibet. He said that those who dare to come out, even with a slight hint of their aspirations, have to face torture and detention.

China has imposed special restrictions in the monasteries, patriotic re-education has been launched, and foreign tourists have been banned in Tibet at least until April.

“Looking at all these developments it becomes clear that the intention and aim behind them are to subject the Tibetan people to such a level of cruelty and harassment that they will not be able to tolerate, and thus be forced to remonstrate.”

“When this happens the authorities can then indulge in unprecedented and unimaginable forceful clampdown.”

He asked Tibetans to exercise patience, and not to give in to these provocations so that the precious lives of many Tibetans are not wasted, and they do not have to undergo torture and suffering. He also asked Tibetans to adhere to non-violence at all times.

Although the Dalai Lama admired the sacrifice of Tibetans in Tibet saying, “It goes without saying how much admiration I have for the enthusiasm, determination, and sacrifice of the Tibetans in Tibet.”

He, however, warned that it is difficult to achieve a meaningful outcome by sacrificing lives.

Copyright © 2009 Tibet Sun

Published in Tibet Sun