Tibet Post International
February 20, 2017 13:06
Osaka, Japan — ‘As no one prevented China from invading Tibet has made it feel that it can do the same thing with other countries,’ the political leader of Tibetan people said, adding: ‘So Tibet is a litmus test for the world.’
Sikyong spoke in Tibetan and the theme was “Tragedy in Tibet: What is the way forward? and Why Tibet Matters for Asia?” The talk was organised by Fire Under the Snow, a Tibet Support Group in Osaka. Around 200 people attended a public talk on Tibet by visiting Tibetan political leader Dr Lobsang Sangay in Osaka, Japan, on 15 February, according to the Office of Tibet, Japan.
A documentary film on the Chinese government’s repression in Tibet was screened before Sikyong began his talk. The members of the audience gave a thunderous applause as Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, clad in traditional Tibetan dress, proceeded towards the stage.
Sikyong said to understand China, one must understand Tibet. “China is everywhere in Asia. All these happened because people did not paid attention to what happened in Tibet 60 years ago. Had Tibet was supported by the International community by all the Asian Buddhist countries, then we could have put a wall to China to move forward. When China occupied Tibet, many Asian countries or the international community supported us, then it kept expanding its influence to South East Asia and Senkaku island in east China sea,” he said.
Sikyong said Japanese people’s support for the issue of Tibet sends a powerful message to all the Buddhist countries in Asia that they stand for justice, non violence and democracy. It also sends a message of hope and courage to Tibetans suffering repression under China’s rule.
Sikyong said granting genuine autonomy to Tibet will bring transform foundation of China’s ideology based on communism, Confucianism and nationalism. There is hope that it will help to bring positive change in conflicts arising from China’s expansion in Senkaku island and other neighboring countries.
Sikyong said as no one prevented China from invading Tibet has made it feel that it can do the same thing with other countries. So Tibet is a litmus test for the world, he added.
“China’s constitution allows for religious freedom and Chinese government claims there is religious freedom in Tibet, but the destruction of Larung Gar and other monasteries clearly demonstrate that there is severe human rights violation in Tibet,” he added.
Sikyong said Tibetans in exile under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama rebuilt all the major monasteries that were destroyed in Tibet and managed to revive Buddhism in Tibet. “That is spirit of the Tibetan people. No matter how much you destroy us, we will rise up again and again,” he said.
Sikyong reiterated that the Chinese communist government has no legitimacy and credibility in recognising the next Dalai Lama. “Look at their track record. They have destroyed 98% of the monasteries and nunneries, expelled 99.99% of monks and nuns and criticised His Holiness the Dalai Lama throughout his lifetime. So what credibility they have in recognising the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” Sikyong said.
Sikyong urged people in Osaka to encourage their elected members of Parliament to support the just cause of Tibet and create awareness on Tibet through writing articles in the news media.
Sikyong speaks on leadership and resilience in Tokyo.
On 16 February, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay delivered a talk on a theme titled ‘leadership and resilience’ in Tokyo. The talk was organised by Human Values Institute based in Japan. It works towards educating people about essential inner human values in a non-religious context primarily through education.
Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay related the theme to his childhood, personal life and how he took up the leadership role.
Sikyong said compassion towards the cause of Tibet and the suffering of Tibetan people has made him took the leadership role.
Emphasising that compassion has to be the foundation of any leader, Sikyong said: “compassion gives you conviction, commitment and courage to lead other people and work for their happiness and well-being.”
He said when someone becomes selfless it becomes compassion for others. “If you have compassion for others it reminds you not to be arrogant, authoritative and abusive. It changes you from an arrogant leader to a humble leader. My sole purpose of being a leader is compassion for the people.”
Tibet was invaded by Communist China in 1949. Since that time, over 1.2 million out of 6 million Tibetans have been killed, over 6000 religious institutions have been destroyed and acts of murder, rape, arbitrary imprisonment, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment were inflicted on the Tibetans inside Tibet. But Beijing continues to call this a “peaceful liberation”.
