Col J P Singh
His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, turns 80 on 6th July 2015 as the longest living ruler of Tibet. (Tibetan’s have already celebrated Dalai Lama’s 80th birthday at Dharamsala on 21st June as per their lunar calender while other Buddhists will be celebrating it on 6th July being his actual date of birth). Despite having abdicated his political and sovereign power in favour of Mr. Lobsang Gyasto, an elected prime minister, His Holiness continues to be religious and spiritual head of entire Tibet autonomous region & Qinghai province along with two autonomous prefectures and one autonomous county in Sichuan province and one autonomous prefecture and one county each in Gansu and Yunnan provinces, all of which is termed as ‘Historic Tibet’.
His Holiness was born on 6 July 1935, in a small village called Taktser or Amdo, in Qinghai province of Northeastern Tibet to a family of farmers and horse traders as Lhamo Dondrub. His religious name is Tenzin Gyatso. He was recognized as reincarnation and rebirth of 13th Dalai Lama when he attained the age of 2 through a well defined traditional selection process led by reputed lamas of the nation. By 1935, Qinghai province had been assimilated by China. Therefore to bring Dalai Lama to Lhasa, lamas and the Govt of Tibet had to pay huge bribes to the Chinese Maj Gen who was the Governor of Qinghai. Besides being the religious head, Dalai Lamas are the political rulers as well.
This revered 14th Dalai Lama began his monastic education at the age of six at Lhasa. At the age of 24, he took the final exam and passed it with honours. He completed Doctorate of Buddhist Philosophy when he was 25. In 1950, when he was 16, His Holiness was called upon to assume full political power as Head of State when Tibet was being threatened by the might of China. He spent most of his time in Potala Palace at Lahasa. In 1954 he went to Peking as head of the state and discussed bilateral relations and future of Tibet with Mao-Tse-Tung, Chou-En-Lai and Deng Xiaoping. His interactions with Mao were purposeful and educative. His Holiness developed lot of respect for the top Chinese leader and considered him as a fatherly figure. But the relationship did not last long. During his visit to India in the year 1956, to attend the 2500th Buddha Jayanti, he had a series of meetings with Pt Nehru and Premier Chou-En-Lai on bilateralism and political / economic conditions in Tibet. Ironically when His Holiness was aspiring for help from China, it occupied Lhasa militarily in 1959, forcing Dalai Lama to flee into India. India received him ceremonially as Head of the State at Indo-Tibet border. He was given political asylum as head of the state, the privilege he enjoys till date. Since then he is living in Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, aptly known as ‘Little Lhasa’ which is now the seat of power of ‘Tibetan govt in exile’.
Right from his exile, His Holiness has been appealing to the UN and the Western world for seeking Tibet’s freedom from Chinese control. UN General Assembly adopted three resolutions in 1959, 1961 and 1965 favouring return of Tibet to Tibetans which China vehemently defied. His Holiness continues to present new initiatives to China and UN to resolve the Tibetan issue. Ironically, China outrightly rejects the idea of dialogue with him. At the Congressional Human Rights Caucus in 1987, he proposed a Five-Point Peace Plan as a first step towards resolving Tibet issue. This plan calls for (i) designation of Tibet as a zone of peace, (ii) an end to the massive immigration of ethnic Chinese into Tibet (iii) restoration of fundamental rights and democratic freedom (iv) abandonment of use of Tibet for nuclear weapons production and dumping nuclear waste and (v) earnest negotiations on the future of Tibet. In 1963, His Holiness promulgated a draft constitution for Tibet which assures a democratic form of Govt; being practiced by his Govt in exile. Off late His Holiness is said to be agreeable to Hong-Kong type of democratic set up for Tibet.
Since his forays into the world since 70s, His Holiness’ reputation as a scholar and man of peace has grown steadily. Number of Western universities and institutions have conferred Peace Awards and Doctorate degrees upon him in recognition of his distinguished writings in Buddhist philosophy and non-violent role in the service of mankind. He was awarded 1989 Noble Peace Prize in recognition of his tireless non-violent crusade of over 30 years to end China’s occupation and suppression of his Homeland. While receiving the award, His Holiness dedicated it to Mahatma Gandhi saying, “I accept it as a tribute to the man who founded the tradition of non-violent actions for change. Life of Mahatma Gandhi inspired me”.
His Holiness visited ancient Buddhist monastic site at Ambaran, Akhnoor on 16 November 2011, where luckily I got an opportunity to receive his blessings. This perhaps was first ever state visit of this type by a head of foreign nation in the history of Jammu and my living memory. Earlier excavations at Ambaran had revealed remains of a monestry and large number of teracotta heads of monks, pottery and artefacts of second-first century BC to eighth century AD era. Further study after excavations revealed existence of four historical and cultural periods at Ambaran in a chronological sequence. A small Hamlet of second-first century BC, when people used grey ware potteries, suggested first cultural period of history. Second, being the most prolific period of building activity of Kushan period during 1st to 3rd century AD when Stupas and Viharas were constructed. (Teracotta heads of Ambaran, of this period, can be seen in national and international museums). Third period represents Gupta age when the structures were strengthened and embellished with teracotta figures and decorations such as discovered at Ambaran. 4th period referers to post Gupta times of 6th-7th century AD revealing a reliquary casket in the central square stupa with a copper casket in a round silver and gold casket with bones, ashes, semi-precious stones, pearl beads, silver & gold files and copper coins etc suggesting remians of a greatly revered monk. Credit for discovering all this goes to Dr. B R Mani, former ADG, ASI, New Delhi who had earlier been Supdt at Jammu. His painstaking excavations discovered foundation of eight spoked Stupa which was similar to the ones found in other parts of India. On being presented photo exhibition of this discovery by Dr. Mani, His Holiness decided to visit Ambaran to see it for himself during which he spent lot of time at the site appreciating the work done by ASI. Since these excavations were in very small area, possibility of existence of much bigger Buddhist establishment around Ambaran was predicted by His Holiness during this visit. His Holiness also addressed a mammoth public gathering at Akhnoor, organised by Sham Lal Sharma, local MLA and minister, covering religious history of Ambaran.
After Dalai Lama’s visit, preservation work was undertaken on war footing under the supervision of Mr. R Krishnahia, Supdt ASI, Jammu. 90 % of the work is complete. An hour long visit to the renovated site can enlighten the visitors immensely. Scanning of other areas around this site could have revealed existence of other unknown Buddhist establishments but no such effort has been made by the ASI because it needs public request and govt help in doing so. Since this discovery is proof of prevalence of Buddhism in Jammu 2550 years ago, ASI reps say they intend exploring areas towards Rajouri to locate other such sites.
On the 52nd anniversary of exile in 2011, His Holiness expressed his desire to abdicate political power in favour of democratically elected prime minister. Despite protests against this decision, His Holiness’ repeated appeals were finally accepted and the political transition took place smoothly. Now His Holiness is only spiritual leader of Tibet. He is a renowned religious and spiritual leader in the world, which we as Indian are immensely proud of because since 1959, he is more or less an Indian. With the presence of His Holiness and current emphasis on practising Yoga, Indians can gain in spirituality and salvation. Hope our generation will pass on tragic stories of forced exile of such a noble soul and persecution of peace loving Tibetans by China to support their struggle for independence.
While the entire world stands with him in his peaceful struggle, let us pray that he succeeds in getting Tibet liberated from China. Religious tourism is growing in Jammu after his visit. With discovery of more Buddhist sites, Jammu can become a focus of tourism and research like Dharamsala.
May His Holiness complete centenary and celebrate it in his Potala Palace in Lhasa in liberated Tibet. May his subjects celebrate his much cherished centenary in a free, peaceful, independent and sovereign Tibet.
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