Buddhists here in Syracuse along with Buddhists across the world shared in the spirit of a recent march by Tibetans and Japanese in Shinjuku, Tokyo in observance of Human Rights Day. YC Dhardhowa has reported for The Tibet Post International, http://www.thetibetpost.com, "Tibetans and Supporters Observed Human Rights Day in Tokyo".
On Saturday December 4 around eighty Tibetans and Japanese gathered in Shinjuku, Tokyo and marched through the city to observe the Human Rights Day and to seek public attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in Tibet. Tibet Koryukai and the Tibetan Community in Japan along with six other Tibet support groups organized this rally. Mr. Makino Seishu, a Japanese Parliamentarian and Mr. Ishihara Shintaro, the Tokyo governor, read messages at this rally in which the two leaders expressed their solidarity with the Tibetan cause. They said that the Tibet cause is a just cause and they will do their best in improving the human rights situation and to realize the Tibetan dream of genuine autonomy in Tibet.
The Ven. Wakaomi of Japanese Monk Association appealed to the gathering to come forward to highlight the injustices that are going on in Tibet and urged the Japanese government not to ignore Tibet issue. Mr. Tsewang Gyalpo Arya of the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan & East Asia read the message of the Office in which the Representative Lhakpa Tshoko expressed thanks to the organizers and the participants and explained the critical situation in Tibet. Repression and the martial law situation which have followed the 2008 March uprising in Tibet were highlighted. Mr. Arya also drew the publics attention to the recent Chinese government's policy to sinocize the Tibetan education system.
Mr. Arya said "When fifty years of indoctrination and oppression failed to subjugate the Tibetan, Chinese government is now trying to eradicate the Tibetan culture and belief by destroying the language. This is a very threatening development in the cultural history of a nation." Mr. Arya appealed to the Japanese public and the government to urge the Chinese leaderships to refrain from destroying this rich language of Tibet.
The participants of this impressive rally marched through the main city of Shinjuku with Tibetan flags and placards. Many slogans such as Free Tibet, Stopping killing in Tibet, Human rights in Tibet etc. echoed throughout the busy streets of Shinjuku city. Some elderly Japanese also came to participate in the march, and a young Japanese mother participated in the march with her baby in the trolley. It was reported that an elderly Japanese man was seen urging the young Japanese to continue to support the Tibetan cause. He said "Current Chinese communist government is illegal and brutal, Asia is in danger. We must raise voice against injustice."
Although many young Japanese participants said they support the Tibet cause, they feel they couldn't do much. However, participating in this march gave them a sense of satisfaction and purpose. Some of the Japanese came dressed in Tibetan chupas.
Buddhists here in Syracuse and elsewhere are pleased about this recent show of support in Japan for the human rights of Tibetans and share spiritual harmony with their fellow Buddhists from across the world.
Mandel News Service: http://www.mandelnews.com
