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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON NEW
CATA BOARD MEMBERS
1) Kalden Lodoe------------President
2) Trinley Choedron---------Vice President
3) Dhondup Namgyal----------General
Secretary
4) Gyaltsenla--------------- Treasurer
5) Tenzin Chodon------------- Accountant
6) Yeshi Tashi---------------
Public Relation Officer
7) Lobsang Yeshi-------------- Cultural Secretary
Message of His Holiness 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 first day of the first month in the Earth Ox Tibetan
Year)
AN APPEAL BY THE DALAI LAMA
SPEAKER PELOSI ASKS CHINA TO FREE TIBETANS DETAINED FOR PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATIONS
COVERAGE OF WHITE HOUSE RALLY FOR TIBET
12-hour prayer with symbolic fasting
Calling attention of CATA Members,
Please take note of this from the Office of Tibet, New York, which is self-explanatory.
In compliance to the directive of the Tibetan Solidarity Committee details of which have been forwarded to you all
in the past week and, this message from Office of Tibet, New York, CATA Board has decided to observe the 12-hour prayer service
and symbolic fasting on Saturday, August 30, 2008, at a central location for
commuting convenience of members residing in Maryland and Virginia, at ICT, from 9.00 AM to 9.00
PM.
Please note further for information and compliance that Kasur Tashi Wangdi, Representative of Tibetan Government-in-Exile,
has emphatically conveyed his message through phone calls that CATA members must observe the event with utmost sincerity
and seriousness.
CATA Board urges and calls upon all members to comply. Because August 30th is a Saturday, majority
of CATA members would be free to observe this one important day. Remember, even His Holiness the Dalai Lama will participate
in this event. So why not you !
CATA BOARD
Subject: Urgent Notice
Dear Presidents and members of Associations,
I am forwarding following text
message which is very important to make aware of the Tibetans in your jurisdiction.
Yeshi Ngodup
*************************************************************************************************************************************
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will participate in a 12-hour prayer service and symbolic Fasting to be observed
by the Tibetans and peace-loving people around the world to reinforce their commitment to non-violence.
Dharamshala:
It will be one of most important non-violent campaign by the Tibetan Solidarity Committee to get support from the world
community for world peace and fight against oppression in the world in general and particularly in Tibet.
Around
the world, the synchronized 12-hour campaign will begin at 7 a.m. and go on till 7 p.m. on 30 August.
The Tibetan
Solidarity Committee - convened by the Kashag and the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile
- is leading exile Tibetans'
activities under its unified leadership based on non-violent and Middle-Way Approach to bring an immediate end to the ongoing
Chinese repression in Tibet.
The committee has appealed to the Tibetan supporters, champions of truth and non-violence
around the world to join in this non-violent effort to reduce one's defilements and to create wisdom and compassion
in the minds of the oppressor.
It aims to bring solace to the departed souls of all those Tibetans and who are
still enduring atrocities under the brutal Chinese oppression from their sufferings, and for the truth of Tibetan
issue to prevail soon.
While observing the fast, people will recite prayers to enhance the collective merits of
the Tibetan and Chinese people and long and healthy life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
"We consider this
as extremely important non-violent action taken by Tibetans under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in a very
critical period for Tibet, particularly the post-Olympic period," Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche said.
Kalon Tripa has directed the offices of representative to reach out to Tibetan people, Tibetan supporters, peace-loving
people, Tibetan associations and Chinese friends to encourage them to join the non-violent action.
You can see
this report on our Official website, www.tibet.net
Second Secretary
Community and Culture Affairs
The Office of Tibet
241 East 32 Street
New
York, NY - 10016
Tibet
Vigil at Chinese Embassy Suspended to honor Earthquake Victims
The Capital Area Tibetan Association has decided to suspend the daily
vigils at the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. till the end of May to express sympathy to and solidarity with the Chinese
people on account of the devastating earthquake in China.
"We
received a circular from the Office of Tibet in New York on May 15, 2008 highlighting the tragedy in China and how we as Tibetans
should show our sympathy to the Chinese people in this moment of grief," said Namkha Tenzin, President of CATA.
CATA will advice our members on further steps that we will
take in the light of this new development in China.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008, CATA will perfrom
prayers for the victims of recent earthquake tragedies in Sichuan Province affecting large areas of both Tibetan and Chinese
population.
Therefore we urge the members to attend.
When: Tuesday, May 27, 2008
03:00 pm - 05:00pm
Where: Conference/Meeting room
International Campaign for Tibet
1825
Jefferson Place NW
For more information, please contact Mr. Namkha Tenzin
Ph: 703 673-8860 or email :catatibetan@yahoo.com  |
