Lobsang Sangay sworn-in as Sikyong

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, May 27

The Dalai Lama lamented the negative campaign that took place in the run up to the Tibetan General Elections. “I was pained to see the degradation of morality and the overtones of regional loyalty during the election campaign. It is very unfortunate”, he said while addressing the Tibetans on the occasion of swearing in of Sikyong, Lobsang Sangay at McLeodganj today.

“The unity of the three traditional provinces of Tibet is of primary importance. Despite the passage of time, we have preserved our traditions and culture based on this unity of the three provinces for thousands of years. Therefore, we should do away with this warped sense of loyalty to regions and move on as one,” the Dalai Lama said.

Meanwhile, Lobsang Sangay was sworn-in for a second term as Sikyong (leader of Tibetan people in exile) in front of the Dalai Lama at the oath-taking ceremony today at Tsuglagkhang main Tibetan temple at McLeodganj today morning. The ceremony was attended by thousands of Tibetans and Tibet supporters, including R K Khrimey, MLA and Advisor to the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister.

Sikyong offered apologies to the moral shortcomings people witnessed during the election campaign, Sikyong said, “In the recent election, there have been a series of unfortunate events that went counter to the Tibetan tradition of humility and good conduct. This has greatly saddened and disappointed the Dalai Lama. We ceaselessly beg the Dalai Lama for his forgiveness. We all firmly pledge not to repeat this misconduct in future. Likewise, I strongly urge all Tibetans to avoid divisive affiliations and stand strong in unity and harmony.”

He also lauded the sacrifices of the self-immolators and the Tibetans inside Tibet, expressing his solidarity and assuring the Central Tibetan Administration’s committed efforts to resolve the issue through the middle way approach. He further outlined a five-fifty strategy for success, saying that Tibetans can achieve genuine autonomy in the next five years or China will gradually change for the better in the next fifty years.

The Dalai Lama, in his address, spoke about the rich cultural and religious traditions of Tibet and the need for a holistic education of Tibetan children. “Tibet is called the roof of the world. Similarly, the rich Buddhist culture and tradition of Tibet are also one of the best traditions in the world,” the Dalai Lama said.

“Over the years, I have met numerous people, including scholars, scientists, politicians and spiritual leaders. In my interaction with these people, I have come to realise that the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, derived from the Nalanda tradition of India, is among the best, primarily because it is based in scientific analysis and logical study”, he said.

Many Buddhist traditions trace their roots to Nalanda. However, Tibetan Buddhism seems the only one, which contains the purest essence of the tradition. It is truly a universal treasure, which the Tibetan people have preserved for centuries, the Dalai Lama said.

Speaking on the Tibetan struggle, the Dalai said that the most important aspect of the Tibetan movement should be to fulfill the aspirations of the majority Tibetans who continue to remain inside Tibet.