The Tibetan people "beseech
and pray with heartfelt devotion that the Dalai Lama never ever
contemplates going into either semi-retirement or full retirement. His
Holiness has led the Tibetan people on the road to democracy, and This
has been so important a journey that no one wants to see it completed
without his guidance”.
This is essentially the text of the appeal sent
to the public leader of Tibetan Buddhism from the highest political
leader of the Tibetan government in exile in India.
The text was published yesterday signed by Penpa Tsering,
president of the Tibetan Parliament in exile, and his deputy Dolma
Gyari.
But it represents the opinion of everyone, in
Dharamsala and Tibet itself, who believe that the Dalai Lama’s decision
to withdraw from public life of the Tibetan diaspora is wrong.
The
head of the "yellow sect" of Buddhism, in fact, announced a few weeks
ago his intention to delegate all of his temporal power to elected
representatives and concentrate on his spiritual role.
The Dalai Lama is very unique in the sphere of world religions. Together
with the purely religious role, in fact, the fourteen Buddhist leaders
who have followed the leadership of the region have also had a kind of
absolutist political power.
The Buddhist leader is defined
by historians of religion, "the god-king", because at one time he ruled
Tibet like a monarch: the case of the latter embodiment, Tenzin Gyatso,
is different.
He has always supported the democratic development of a Tibetan political system.
Samdhong Rinpoche, prime minister of the government in exile, joins in this call and told AsiaNews:
"The Dalai Lama thinks that the Tibetan people should not be so
dependent on his figure. Over the past 400 years, in fact, Tibetans have
left all decision making up to the leader and have shown themselves
reluctant to take responsibility. But this incarnation of the Dalai Lama
is different from previous ones, and pushed us all towards a democratic
system of government. "
Rinpoche, the first politician elected by the people on
the Dalai Lama’s initiative, said: "But the Tibetan democracy is a
direct result of our leaders commitment. He encouraged us without
hesitation towards democracy: he is a unique example,
because usually this result is obtained after a direct impetus from the
grass roots level, from the people. Now, our main representative is
concerned that – on his death - there may be a power vacuum. But that
does not matter: his was too important an example for us all. "
The text of the appeal sent to the Dalai Lama is similar:
"His Holiness has led us to the path of democracy, beginning with the
introduction of reforms that changed the entire operation of our
government. And direct representation elections were called for by you, in
this way you have freed our people from feudalism. This is why there is
no way to express our gratitude and why, at the same time, we implore
you not to leave your political role. We need your guidance ".
SIC: AN/INT'L