Dharamshala: To express solidarity both to all Tibetans who have self-immolated, and to all those who are suffering in this world, a poignant day of prayers was held in the main temple of Dharamshala, North India, attended by hundreds from the local community and internationally.
Coinciding with the conclusion of four days of meetings by the Tibetan Parliament in exile, the prayers: attended by Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, speaker Penpa Tsering, and Tibetans from over 26 countries from the Central Tibet Administration (CTA), led the communal event in the main temple (Tsuklakang) of Dharamshala.
Also present at the event, which lasted from 8am to 5pm, were a vast range from the community: children from the Tibet Children's village - to residents who had fled into exile along with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1959.
The solidarity event was organised by the Tibetan Parliament in exile and the Kashag. Speaking at the event, Sikyong Dr Sangay highlighted the need for Tibetans to remain in solidarity; re-iterating the great responsibility those in exile hold.
The prayers did not simply focus on those who had self-immolated: which now stands at over 50 since 2009. Praying for those who were suffering globally, the Tibetan Buddhists led the community to reach out globally, in a positive and spiritual manner.
Amid a year of escalating violence against Tibetans, and in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, the Tibetan community in exile have provided a positive response to such issues.
Under the guidance of the revered spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet, events such as the solidarity prayer session prove hopeful and inspiring to the international community.
A special long life prayer to the spiritual leaeder of Tibet, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was offered by the Kashag and Parliament on the last day of the meeting.
According to CTA, 51 Tibetans have set themselves on fire since March 2009, all of them called for freedom in Tibet and the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to his homeland.
