Congratulating the President of India on Her Birthday
Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India – His Holiness the Dalai Lama has this morning written to the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, to offer her his good wishes on her 67th birthday.
“As you know, after being forced to flee Tibet following the Tibetan people’s uprising against the PRC authorities in March 1959, I have spent the major part of my life in India,” he wrote. “I therefore feel a special closeness to this country. Over and above its being the most populous country in the world, and the largest democracy, India has a vast resource of ancient wisdom. I believe that if this is combined with modern education it will make a beneficial contribution to greater peace and happiness in the world.
“On my part, I am specifically committed to encouraging a deeper awareness of the profound, ancient Indian understanding of the workings of our mind and emotions. This, I believe lays the basis for achieving peace of mind and developing a warm heart. It can also help us overcome such destructive emotions as anger, fear and hatred that undermine our ability to create a peaceful, more compassionate world.
“As Tibetans, we are deeply indebted to the Government and people of India for the warm hospitality they have shown us for more than 66 years. We are also most grateful for the generous support we have received in our endeavours to protect and preserve our Buddhist culture that is founded on India’s age-old values of karuna and ahimsa.”
His Holiness concluded by wishing the President happiness, good health and success in leading this great country.