Statement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on
the 51st Anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising Day
 |
His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivers his statement on the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan National
Uprising Day, in Dharamsala, India, on 10 March 2010 |
Today marks the 51st anniversary of the Tibetan people’s peaceful uprising in 1959 against Communist China’s repression in Tibet, as well as the second anniversary of the peaceful protests that erupted across Tibet in March 2008. On this occasion, I pay homage to those heroic Tibetan men and women, who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Tibet, and pray for an early end to the sufferings of those still oppressed in Tibet.
Despite the great hardships Tibetans have faced for many decades, they have been able to keep up their courage and determination, preserve their compassionate culture and maintain their unique identity. It is inspiring that today a new generation of Tibetans continues to keep Tibet’s just cause alive. I salute the courage of those Tibetans still enduring fear and oppression.
Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, it is the responsibility of all Tibetans to maintain equality, harmony and unity among the various nationalities, while continuing to protect our unique identity and culture. Many Tibetans in Tibetan areas are working in various responsible posts in the party, government and military, helping Tibetans in whatever way they can. We recognise the positive contribution that many of them have made up to now, and obviously when Tibet achieves meaningful autonomy in the future, they will have to continue to fulfil such responsibilities.
Let me reiterate that once the issue of Tibet is resolved, I will not take any political position nor will members of the Tibetan Administration in exile hold any positions in the government in Tibet. I have repeatedly made this clear in the past. To understand the situation of the Tibetans in exile and their aspirations, I invite Tibetan officials serving in various Tibetan autonomous areas to visit Tibetan communities living in the free world, either officially or in a private capacity, to observe the situation for themselves.
Wherever Tibetans in exile have settled, we have been able to preserve and promote our distinct cultural and spiritual traditions, while generating awareness of the Tibetan cause. Unlike other refugees, we have been relatively successful because we have also been able to give our children a sound modern education, while bringing them up according to our traditional values. And because the heads of all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the Bon religion are in exile we have been able to re-establish various institutions for religious training and practice. In these institutions over ten thousand monks and nuns are free to pursue their vocations. We have been readily able to provide educational opportunities for those monks, nuns and students who continue to come from Tibet. At the same time the unprecedented spread of Tibetan Buddhism in both East and West and the prospect of continuing to flourish in the future gives us hope that it may yet survive. This is some solace to us during this most critical period in Tibet’s history.
Today, the Chinese authorities are conducting various political campaigns, including a campaign of patriotic re-education, in many monasteries in Tibet. They are putting the monks and nuns in prison-like conditions, depriving them the opportunity to study and practise in peace. These conditions make the monasteries function more like museums and are intended to deliberately annihilate Buddhism.
Tibetan culture based on Buddhist values of compassion and non-violence benefits not only Tibetans, but also people in the world at large, including the Chinese. Therefore, we Tibetans should not place our hopes in material progress alone, which is why it is essential that all Tibetans, both inside and outside Tibet, should broaden their modern education hand in hand with our traditional values. Above all, as many young Tibetans as possible should strive to become experts and skilled professionals.
It is important that Tibetans maintain friendly relations not only with people of all nationalities, but also amongst themselves. Tibetans should not engage in petty disputes with each other. I earnestly appeal to them instead to resolve any differences with patience and understanding.
Whether the Chinese government acknowledges it or not, there is a serious problem in Tibet. As the world knows, this is evidenced by the fact that there is a huge military presence and restrictions on travel in Tibet. It is good for neither party. We have to take every opportunity to solve it. For more than 30 years, I have tried my best to enter into talks with the People’s Republic of China to resolve the issue of Tibet through the Middle-Way Approach that is of benefit to us both. Although I have clearly articulated Tibetan aspirations, which are in accordance with the constitution of the People’s Republic of China and the law on national regional autonomy, we have not obtained any concrete result. Judging by the attitude of the present Chinese leadership, there is little hope that a result will be achieved soon. Nevertheless, our stand to continue with the dialogue remains unchanged.
It is a matter of pride and satisfaction that our mutually beneficial Middle-Way Approach and the justice of the Tibetan struggle have gained growing understanding and support year by year from many political and spiritual leaders, including the President of the United States of America, reputed non-governmental organisations, the international community, and in particular from Chinese intellectuals. It is evident that the Tibetan issue is not a dispute between the Chinese and Tibetan peoples, but has come about because of the ultra-leftist policies of the Chinese Communist authorities.
Since the demonstrations in Tibet in 2008, Chinese intellectuals inside and outside China have written more than 800 unbiased articles on the Tibetan issue. During my visits abroad, wherever I go, when I meet Chinese in general, particularly the intellectuals and students, they offer their genuine sympathy and support. Since the Sino-Tibetan problem ultimately has to be resolved by the two peoples themselves, I try to reach out to the Chinese people whenever I can to create a mutual understanding between us. Therefore, it is important for Tibetans everywhere to build closer relations with the Chinese people and try to make them aware of the truth of the Tibetan cause and the present situation in Tibet.
Let us also remember the people of East Turkestan who have experienced great difficulties and increased oppression and the Chinese intellectuals campaigning for greater freedom who have received severe sentences. I would like to express my solidarity and stand firmly with them.
It is also essential that the 1.3 billion Chinese people have free access to information about their own country and elsewhere, as well as freedom of expression and the rule of law. If there were greater transparency inside China, there would be greater trust, which would be the proper basis for promoting harmony, stability and progress. This is why everyone concerned must exert their efforts in this direction.
As a free spokesperson of the Tibetan people I have repeatedly spelled out their fundamental aspirations to the leaders of the People’s Republic of China. Their lack of a positive response is disappointing. Although the present authorities may cling to their hard-line stand, judging by the political changes taking place on the international stage as well as changes in the perspective of the Chinese people, there will be a time when truth will prevail. Therefore, it is important that everyone be patient and not give up.
We acknowledge the Central Government’s new decision taken at the Fifth Tibet Work Forum to implement their policies uniformly in all Tibetan areas to ensure future progress and development, which Premier Wen Jiabao also reiterated at the recent annual session of the National People’s Congress. This accords with our repeatedly expressed wish for a single administration for all those Tibetan areas. Similarly, we appreciate the development work that has taken place in Tibetan areas, particularly in the nomadic and farming regions. However, we must be vigilant that such progress does not damage our precious culture and language and the natural environment of the Tibetan plateau, which is linked to the well-being of the whole of Asia.
On this occasion, I wish to take the opportunity to offer my sincere thanks to the leaders of various nations, their intellectuals, the general public, Tibet Support Groups and others who cherish truth and justice for continuing to support the Tibetan cause despite the Chinese government’s pressure and harassment. Above all I wish to pay my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of India, the various State Governments, and the people of India for their continued generous support.
Finally, I offer prayers for the happiness and well-being of all sentient beings.
The Dalai Lama
10 March 2010
(tibet.net)
…………………………….
达赖喇嘛在西藏和平抗暴51周年纪念集会上的讲话
达赖喇嘛驻北美代表处 贡噶扎西：今天是西藏抗暴51周年纪念日，纪念集会现在（印度当地时间2010年3月10日早上8点半）正在印度北部达然萨拉举行，达赖喇嘛尊者在纪念集 会上发表了重要讲话。讲话全文如下。
達賴喇嘛尊者在西藏3 • 10和平抗暴五十一周年紀念集會上的講話
今天，是西藏人民於1959年在西藏首府拉薩，對中共暴政進行和平抗議五十一周年，以及2008年3月西藏三區發生非暴力抗爭兩周年紀念日。在此 之際,我們要緬懷那些為西藏民族、政教事業獻出寶貴生命的英雄兒女，以及正在飽受折磨、蹂躪的所有同胞，並向三寶特別祈禱。
儘管西藏人民在過去幾十年遭遇了無盡的苦難，然而，西藏民族依然堅守他們的勇氣和決心，保護優良的民族特性；年輕的新一代藏人，也繼承和發揚了西 藏民族的正義事業，這是一個令人鼓舞的事。在此，我要特別對處於高壓恐懼中的境內同胞的勇氣與真誠，表達由衷的贊許。
許多藏族同胞在西藏党、政、軍擔任職務，並直接或間接地幫助、利益西藏民眾。對於他們的真誠貢獻，本人深表讚賞。此時此刻，不管處於任何情況下， 都要努力維護民族平等、加強民族團結、保護民族特性與文化，這是所有藏人義不容辭的責任。
未來西藏獲得名副其實的自治之際，西藏的行政、領導責任主要由現今在西藏工作的幹部擔任。西藏問題解決之後，本人不擔任任何政治職位；流亡組織的 官員，也不會謀求在西藏任職的機會。這一立場曾已多次聲明，今天再作重申。
今天，我要特別呼籲，目前在西藏各地擔任要職的官員，希望以官方或私人的名義，希望前來自由的流亡藏人社會參觀、視察，這樣將有助於瞭解境外同胞 的狀況與願望。
身處境外各自由地區的流亡藏人，與其他政治難民不同，他們在繼承和發揚西藏宗教文化及民族特性的基礎上，向世界介紹西藏的真相；向年青一代傳授現 代教育和 傳統價值觀等，在政教各方取得了顯著的成績。特別是藏傳佛教四大宗派及苯教的領袖和大部分高僧流亡之後，在印度、尼泊爾等重建了許多講修佛法的寺院，對上 萬名出家男女僧眾提供了自由研習佛法的空間；從西藏新近流亡的僧眾和學生，也獲得了完整的學習機會。
然而，當今的西藏，在中共實施的“愛國愛教”等各種政治運動的管制和打壓之下，各寺院的功能已變為遊覽場所；出家僧眾如同失去自由的囚犯，已經喪 失了研修佛法的機會，這明顯是一種毀滅佛教的行徑。
值得欣慰的是，藏傳佛教在東、西方世界得到了前所未有的發展，使衰落的西藏佛法，在這世界上找到了保存和發揚的新希望。這也是西藏民族最艱難，最 困苦時期一個重要成就。
以佛法慈悲、非暴力為基礎的西藏文化，不僅可以利益藏人，也可以為包括漢民族在內的人類社會服務。因此，境內外所有藏人，不要僅僅沉溺於外在的物 質發展，而要加強現代文化與傳統價值觀相結合的教育；特別是年輕一代，要堅持不懈地努力學習，想方設法使自己成為專業人才。
在此，我要懇切呼籲，所有民族，特別是藏民族內部，要加強友誼和團結，捨棄個人的恩怨和爭端，以相互理解、包容的態度加深民族情誼，保持民族尊 嚴。
無論中國政府承認與否，在整個西藏部署大批軍警，並限制外人自由進藏等的做法，表明了西藏問題的存在和嚴重性，這是任何一方都不樂意看到的，因 此，為了解決問題，在過去三十多年裏，我們盡力透過與中華人民共和國官員的對話，尋求解決西藏問題；並依據中華人民共和國憲法和民族區域自治法宗旨，表達 了藏人的訴求，但是，我們的努力沒有取得具體的結果。以目前中共當權者的態度來看，很難在短期內有所成果，不過，我們堅持協商對話的立場依然不變。
值得鼓舞的是，雙贏互利的“中間道路”政策和藏人客觀的立場，得到了以美國總統為首的世界政治和精神領袖，政府和民間組織，以及民眾的支援。特別 是表達贊同與大力支持的華人知識份子日益增多，這表明了西藏問題不是漢藏民族之間的仇恨，而是中共當權者極左政策導致的後果。
自2008年3月西藏發生和平抗暴至今，海內外中國自由知識份子發表的支援西藏的文章，已超過八百多篇。為了增進相互瞭解，在我訪問世界各地時， 常常與華人民眾，尤其是留學生和知識份子見面交流，很多人真誠地表達他們內心的關愛、同情與支持。西藏問題的最終解決，離不開藏漢人民的理解和支持，所 以，境內外全體藏人也要努力與漢民族建立友好關係，讓他們瞭解西藏的真相和現時狀況。
近一段時間以來，新疆人民也遭遇到中共武力鎮壓的極大痛苦；許多爭取自由的中國知識份子也遭受牢獄之災，對此，我想表達我的關注與同情。十三億中 國人民也需要言論自由和瞭解事實真相的權利，如果在中國能實現法治與透明的社會機制，將會獲得人民的信賴，這才是和諧、穩定、發展的基礎。對此，需要大家 繼續努力。
作為西藏人民的代言人，我曾多次向中華人民共和國領導人就西藏人民的基本權益問題，作了明確表述，遺憾的是，沒有獲得正面的回應。然而，以目前國 際政治的變遷，以及中國人民的思維方式的變化等現狀來看，當權者無論多麼保守強硬，終究會有解決的一天，因此，大家要保持容忍並繼續奮鬥。
最近召開的中共中央第五次西藏工作座談會，與以往不同，在這次會議中，決定統一部署所有藏區建設發展計畫；幾天前，溫家寶總理在全國人大會議上再 次強調這一政策，這不僅是一個正面的步伐，也符合我們多次提出所有藏人需要統一管理的主張。同樣，在很多西藏地區，特別是農牧邊遠地區進行建設和發展，是 一個好現象。但是，我們必須警惕這種以發展為名的建設，損害民族語言文化；也要嚴防這種開發成為破壞西藏高原的自然環境的因素，因為世界屋脊的生態環境， 維繫著整個亞洲人民的生活與福祉。
借此機會，我要感謝不畏中國政府的各種打壓和騷擾，挺身支持西藏正義事業的各國領導、知識份子、廣大民眾，以及聲援西藏團體；尤其對印度政府及人 民長期以來對西藏人民的關心與幫助，表達我誠摯的謝意！
祈願眾生和平幸福！
達賴喇嘛
2010/3/10
