Dear Nada, 25 years ago today, on December 10, 1989, His Holiness the Dalai Lama accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. I was lucky enough to be in Oslo, Norway that day when His Holiness accepted this prestigious award. The Norwegian Nobel Committee’s recognition of the leader in exile was a tribute to the Dalai Lamas tireless campaign to end oppression in Tibet, his homeland. The Committee stated in its decision that His Holiness consistently has opposed the use of violence, and advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people. In his acceptance speech His Holiness said: “I pray for all of us, oppressor and friend, that together we succeed in building a better world through human under-standing and love, and that in doing so we may reduce the pain and suffering of all sentient beings.” He continued, “Ours has been a long struggle. We know our cause is just because violence can only breed more violence and suffering. Our struggle must remain nonviolent and free of hatred. We are trying to end the suffering of our people- not to inflict suffering upon others.” Later on that cold afternoon, I joined the throng of international supporters carrying lit candles through the streets of Oslo to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s hotel where we spontaneously serenaded him. We sang in many languages but our song became one…a choir of peace, hope and deep yearning that good things were truly possible. Graciously, optimistically, His Holiness came down to the square and joined us. It was an incredible outpouring of love and solidarity that those of us there will never forget While His Holiness remains a most-prominent voice for nonviolence and a staunch advocate for peaceful solutions, too little has changed since that day. As our commitment to nonviolence becomes increasingly valuable in the world, as we celebrate December 10, 2014 as the United Nations’s Human Rights Day, I hope you will remain steadfast in continuing or increasing your generous support of ICT so we can accomplish our ultimate goal: Tibetans living the lives they choose, in peace, in their homeland. Thank you. With best wishes through this holiday season to you and your family, Richard Gere, Chairman ICT Board of Directors
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 11:37:10 +0000
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