Taipei, Taiwan: - The Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Taiwan-Tibetan Welfare Association jointly organised a special prayer service on 21 August in memory of late Tsewang Norbu, a monk of Nyatso Monastery in eastern Tibet who self immolated while calling for freedom of Tibet and return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Tibet on 15 August.
The Office of Tibet requested His Eminence Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche who is at present in Taiwan to lead the prayer service. The prayer service was held at the Foundation's prayer hall from 11 am to 1 pm. Prayers were also offered for late Phuntsok, a young monk from Kirti Monastery in Tibet, and late Thupten Ngodup, who sacrificed their lives for the just cause of Tibet.
Mr Dawa Tsering, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, introduced H.E Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche to a congregation of more than 100 Tibetans and Taiwanese at the service.
He also gave a brief account of late Tsewang Norbu's self immolation and called on the Chinese government to cease its use of force against Tibetans and to end the suppression of Tibetans' fundamental human rights.
Before leading the prayer service Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche appealed to the Tibetans to keep their spirit strong and united in order to fulfill the aspirations of Tibetan people inside Tibet.
He then started the prayer by lighting of 108 candle lamps and recitation of prayers in both Tibetan and Chinese.
In remembrance of Tibetan martyrs, Mr Tashi Tsering, one of the most active Tibetan members in Taiwan, initiated a bicycle ride campaign for Tibet which he kick-started in July this year. His mission is to draw the attention of Taiwanese public in general and thousands of Chinese tourists in particular towards understanding the worsening plight of Tibetan people in Tibet.
On 17 and 19 August, Mr Tashi Tsering along with 4 other human rights activists, had covered almost 150 kilometers on their cycle ride around Taipei city.
