December 30, 2024
Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - On learning that President Jimmy Carter had passed away, His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote to Chip Carter, the President’s son, at the Carter Center, today, to offer his condolences. “President Carter lived a truly meaningful life, he wrote, with decades of untiring efforts to help the poor and downtrodden, to seek peaceful solutions to conflicts and to advance democracy and human rights throughout the world.”
December 27, 2024
Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - On receiving news that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had died, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to his widow Mrs Gursharan Kaur to express his sadness. “I will remember him in my prayers,” he wrote, “and offer my condolences to you and your family at this sad time. “Whenever we met over the years I deeply appreciated his concern and good counsel. I felt he was like an elder brother to me.”
December 25, 2024
Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - On a crisp, bright winter’s day this afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove from his residence to the Tsuglagkhang, the Main Tibetan Temple, to join an estimated 3500 people observing Ganden Nga Chö, the Anniversary of Jé Tsongkhapa's passing away. As he made his way through the temple yard and then around the temple, he smiled and waved to members of the crowd.
December 6, 2024
Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - This morning the Tsuglagkhang, the Main Tibetan Temple, was decorated with garlands of marigolds as part of a ceremony to pray for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life. Brilliant sunlight illuminated the mountain peaks that stood stark against a clear blue sky. As His Holiness reached the gate to his residence Gibong Rinpoché and Lochen Rinpoché representing the people of Kinnaur stepped up to greet him.
November 7, 2024
Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to congratulate Donald Trump on his victory in the Presidential election. “I have long admired the United States of America as the champion of democracy, freedom and the rule of law,” he wrote. “The world places great hope in the democratic vision and leadership of the U.S.A. In these times of great uncertainty and upheaval in several parts of the world, it is my hope that you will provide leadership in bringing about peace and stability.”
October 16, 2024
Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Omar Abdullah to congratulate him on his coalition’s success in the recent Legislative Assembly elections and his appointment as Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. “As I have mentioned before,” he wrote, “I have had the privilege of knowing three generations of your family from the days of Sheikh Abdullah to you. I treasure our friendship.”
October 12, 2024
Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Mr. Terumi Tanaka, Mr. Shigemitsu Tanaka and Mr. Toshiyuki Mimaki, Co-Chairpersons of the Nihon Hidankyo to congratulate all its members on the organization’s being awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. “During my visits to Japan, I have had the occasion to meet some of you.”