New Year Message of H.H. the Dalai Lama to the Tibetan People
Published: Tuesday, 24 February, 2009
(Translated from the Tibetan original)
Message of H.H. the
Dalai Lama to the Tibetan People
On the Occasion of
the Earth-Ox Tibetan New Year
On the occasion of the Earth-Ox New Year of the 17th Rabjung
cycle in the Tibetan Royal Year 2136, I would like to greet all Tibetans, both
inside and outside of
Tibet. I pray that there be peace and prosperity,
and that our just cause may see gradual resolution.
Although there is no old or new phase in the continuous
cycle of planetary movements, which results in the days, nights, months and
years, there is a tradition throughout the world to observe the beginning of a
new year upon the completion of the previous one. Likewise, in the snow
land of
Tibet,
we have the tradition to observe the New Year in the first lunar month with
elaborate celebrations incorporating both spiritual and temporal elements. However, last year in
Tibet we witnessed hundreds of Tibetans losing
their lives, and several thousands facing detention and torture, in response to
the widespread display by Tibetans all over
Tibet of their discontentment with
the Chinese authorities' policies.
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. I admire the determined move by Tibetans, inside and outside of
Tibet, not to
indulge in celebratory activities during this New Year. Instead, everyone should utilize this period
in abandoning non-virtuous acts and engaging in positive actions, thereby
cultivating 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 realization of Buddhahood through successive rebirth in higher
realms. The dedication should also go to
those currently undergoing suffering so that they may immediately be able to
enjoy the happiness of freedom. Through
such an accumulation of collective merits we should all strive for an early
solution to the just cause of
Tibet.
Just as we had suspected, the strike-hard campaign has been
re-launched in
Tibet and
there is a heavy presence of armed security and military forces in most of the
cities all over
Tibet. In all the places those who dare to come out
even with a slight hint of their aspirations have to face torture and
detention. In particular, special
restrictions have been imposed in the monasteries, patriotic re-education has
been launched, and restrictions have been imposed on the visit of foreign
tourists. Provocative orders have been
passed for special celebrations of the Tibetan New Year. 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. Therefore,
I would like to make a strong appeal to the Tibetan people 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.
It goes without saying how much admiration I have for the
enthusiasm, determination, and sacrifice of the Tibetans in
Tibet. However, it is difficult to achieve a
meaningful outcome by sacrificing lives. Above all, the path of non-violence is our
irrevocable commitment and it is important that there be no departure at all
from this path.
Once again, I pray that the Tibetan people are freed from
oppression and torture, and enjoy the happiness of freedom. May all sentient beings enjoy happiness at all
times.
The Dalai Lama
February 25, 2009
(corresponding to the first day of the first month in the
Earth Ox Tibetan Year)
