Is the Dalai Lama Truly a Beacon of Peace? Arunachal CM's Tribute
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Pema Khandu honors the 14th Dalai Lama's legacy.
- December 10 is celebrated as International Human Rights Day.
- The Dalai Lama advocates for compassion and non-violence.
- Tawang is a crucial center for Tibetan Buddhism.
- The Year of Compassion aligns with the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday.
Itanagar, Dec 10 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Pema Khandu, on Wednesday, hailed the Tibetan leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, as ‘a true beacon of peace’, offering heartfelt tributes to this revered spiritual figure.
In honor of the 36th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan government-in-exile marks December 10 each year as International Human Rights Day. This year, they are also celebrating it globally as the “Year of Compassion” in commemoration of the Dalai Lama’s upcoming 90th birthday.
Chief Minister Khandu noted that celebrations were taking place at Chamleng, within the Tawang Monastery, and emphasized the lasting importance of the Dalai Lama’s teachings on a global scale.
Through his official X account, Arunachal’s Chief Minister stated: “Celebrating the 36th Anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama at Chamleng, Tawang Monastery. A true beacon of peace, may His Holiness’s timeless message of compassion and harmony continue to spread across the world.”
In a subsequent post on X, Khandu expressed: “On this sacred day marking the 36th Anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize conferred to His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama, may we nurture the spirit of Ahimsa within ourselves, guiding our thoughts and actions, reminding us that peace begins with how we treat each other. Long Live His Holiness.”
The Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his unwavering commitment to non-violence, compassion, and peaceful dialogue.
This anniversary is particularly significant in Arunachal Pradesh, especially in Tawang, a major center of Tibetan Buddhism in India, which shares profound spiritual and cultural bonds with the Dalai Lama.
In 1959, Chinese forces crushed the Tibetan national uprising in Lhasa, compelling the 14th Dalai Lama and over 80,000 Tibetans to seek refuge in India and neighboring nations.
Upon reaching India after a perilous three-week journey, the Dalai Lama resided in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand, for about a year.
Presently, the Tibetan government-in-exile operates from Dharamsala, where a Tibetan community lives in exile with the Dalai Lama, striving to maintain their fight for full autonomy in their homeland, Tibet, currently under Chinese rule.