The Syracuse Buddhist community has been perplexed recently about mixed reports dealing with the plans of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is seen as the spiritual leader of the Buddhist people and so his activities have a deep influence on the daily lives of Buddhists here.
Now the Syracuse Buddhist community is adjusting to the final word that the Dalai Lama has maintained his plans to retire from his role as the political leader of the Free Tibet movement. But there is relief with daily prayers here for the continuance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the Buddhist spiritual leader. Phurbu Thinely has reported for Phayul.com "Dalai Lama asks Tibetans to embrace democratic change, rejects parliament's resolution", http://bit.ly/fwSOyh.
The exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama, has rejected the resolution of the Tibetan parliament appealing to the 75 year old exiled Tibetan leader to reconsider his decision to retire from his role as the political leader of the exiled Tibetan government. In a letter sent to the ongoing Tibetan parliament session the Dalai Lama said he can not accept the parliament's resolution and that he stands firm on his decision.
The Dalai Lama has also made a public appeal for Tibetans both inside and outside of Tibet to accept his decision to give up his political leadership in his effort to help develop a democratic system of governance for the Tibetan people. The Dalai Lama has however also said that his decision is not meant to isolate himself completely from the Tibetan cause and reaffirmed his support for middle-way policy of seeking autonomy.
Regarding his decision the Dalai Lama has gone on to say "The rule by spiritual leaders or the rule by kings is an outdated concept. In reality I have been describing myself as a semi-retired person for the last ten years. So as the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, I take pride and freedom to voluntarily relinquish the political power wielded by the institution of the Dalai Lama.” And His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said that it was his voluntary decision to end the political role of the Institution of the Dalai Lama which dates back to 1642, when the Great 5th Dalai Lama assumed Tibet’s political leadership role.
Buddhists here in Syracuse are joining Buddhists across the world in prayers for the free and healthy future of mankind as this dramatic change takes place. And Buddhists here and all over the world will continue to learn from the Dalai Lama's spiritual teachings.
Mandel News Service: http://www.mandelnews.com
