May 27th 2016

Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, India 27 May 2016 - On a bright morning, at a comfortable temperature for the time of year, eager crowds, mostly Tibetans, gathered in the garden of the Tsuglagkhang this morning to witness the second swearing-in of Sikyong Lobsang Sangay.

Kalons, former Kalons, members of the Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies (ATPD) and Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) staff sat on the porch below the temple, while members of the public sat on the yard. A buzz of excitement rose as the gates to His Holiness’s residence opened and he walked out, accompanied by Sikyong Lobsang Sangay and retiring Speaker Penpa Tsering.

Members of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) led the singing of the Tibetan and Indian national anthems. Monks of Namgyal Monastery chanted the verses of refuge and prayers for auspiciousness. TIPA artistes sang and danced as tea and sweet rice were served.

The Sikyong was administered the oath of office by the Chief Justice Commissioner, Mr Kargyu Dhondup. Next, he, members of the Kashag, the Chief Justice Commissioner, members of the ATPD offered katags, traditional silk scarves to His Holiness.

In his address, which he delivered first in Tibetan and then again in English, the Sikyong mentioned what a great deal it meant to him that His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who for Tibetans everywhere, but particularly in Tibet, is a beacon of hope and the embodiment of compassion, had kindly graced the occasion. He said the new Kashag would continue to uphold unity, innovation and self-reliance. He rejected the Dolgyal group’s allegations of discrimination. He reconfirmed his administration’s adherence to the Middle Way Approach. He stressed that education was the first priority of Tibetans both in Tibet and in exile.

Following His Holiness’s maxim of hoping for the best but preparing for the worst, he revealed what he called a 5/50 policy. He renewed his pledge to see His Holiness return to Tibet within the next five years, but called on Tibetans to stand by that goal even if it took 50 years. He expressed Tibetans’ gratitude to the people and Government of India, as well as to the people and Government of Himachal Pradesh. Finally, he concluded with prayers for His Holiness’s long life, the fulfilment of his wishes and the hope that Tibetans may soon be reunited.

His Holiness began his remarks by acknowledging all the guests. He said:

“Tibet is known as the roof of the world because of the altitude of the Tibetan plateau, but considering our rich religious traditions, we might say it is a pinnacle of culture too. I say this not out of any sense of blind faith, but supported by the appreciation I have found among scientists and scholars, as well as followers of other Buddhist traditions.

“There are other religious traditions in the world that have each been of great benefit to many people, but they tend to rely on faith and accepting the founder’s words as they are. The Nalanda Tradition as upheld in Tibet is unique in encouraging scepticism, reason and logic. Its approach to developing peace of mind by learning to deal with our mind and emotions has attracted the interest and respect of modern scientists. So this is something we can contribute to the wider world.”

Admiring the courage of Tibetans in Tibet that he called ‘the marvellous and determined spirit of the Tibetan people’, he congratulated them for standing by non-violence and remarked that those in exile need to maintain a similar determination. He noted that material development is necessary, but that if that is the primary focus of education it yields neither complete satisfaction nor a solution to dishonesty and corruption. He said that observing a general lack of moral principle has prompted him to promote the idea of secular ethics and their incorporation into contemporary education.

He suggested that a lack of sound moral principles lay behind the recent regional rifts in the Tibetan community that had saddened him. He said:

“Those of you who are Lamas, Geshes and religious practitioners should also remember that whatever particular tradition you follow, they all have their source in the Nalanda Tradition. Differences between us are relatively superficial. All our traditions, Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, Jonang and Gelug have produced great masters. When we talk about Dharma, we need to be true to it in practice.

Once the press had taken photographs, His Holiness walked back through the garden to the gates of his residence, smiling and greeting old friends on the way.