Karmapa urges equanimity, Prays Tibetan sacrifices effect policy change/ENG

2012. február 6./Phayul.com/TibetPress

DHARAMSHALA, February 6: The 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje has urged Tibetans in Tibet to remain true to themselves and maintain their equanimity in the face of increasing hardships.

“In these difficult times, I urge Tibetans in Tibet: Stay true to yourselves, keep your equanimity in the face of hardship and remain focused on the long term,” Gyalwang Karmapa said in a statement today.

“Always bear in mind that your lives have great value, as human beings and as Tibetans.”

Gyalwang Karmapa’s statement comes days after three more Tibetans set their bodies on fire in Serthar, eastern Tibet, taking the toll of self-immolations to 20. Many parts of Tibet remain cut off from outside world with a prevailing situation of undeclared martial law following mass protests in which at least a dozen Tibetans are being feared killed in police firings.

“Each new report of a Tibetan death brings me immense pain and sadness; three in a single day is more than the heart can bear,” Gyalwang Karmapa said.

“I pray that these sacrifices have not been in vain, but will yield a change in policy that will bring our Tibetan brothers and sisters relief.”

The 17th Karmapa called on Beijing to acknowledge the “real human distress” of Tibetans in Tibet, while noting that if China took full responsibility of the crisis, the move would lay a “wise basis” for building mutual trust between Tibetans and the Chinese government.

“Rather than treating this as an issue of political opposition, it would be far more effective for Chinese authorities to treat this as a matter of basic human welfare,” the statement read.

Steering clear of any political motives behind the statement, Gyalwang Karmapa clarified that being a Tibetan, he has “great sympathy and affection” for the Tibetan people.

“I have great misgivings about remaining silent while they are in pain,” the Tibetan spiritual leader said said. “Their welfare is my greatest concern.”

Terming the ongoing demonstrations and self-immolations as symptoms of “deep but unacknowledged dissatisfaction”, the 26-year old Karmapa said that if Tibetans were given a “genuine opportunity” to preserve their language, religion and culture, they would “neither be demonstrating nor sacrificing their lives”.

“China speaks of having brought development to Tibet, and when I lived there it was materially comfortable. Yet prosperity and development have not benefited Tibetans in the ways that they consider most valuable,” Gyalwang Karmapa, who made international headlines escaping to India in 2000, said.

“Tibetans live with the constant suspicion that they will be forced to act against their conscience and denounce His Holiness the Dalai Lama,” Gyalwang Karmapa said while affirming that striking at the “heart” of Tibetan faith “damages” the prospect of winning Tibetans' trust.