By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Aug 22: A County in California, United States has designated the birthday of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama as “Peace and Justice Day”. The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County unanimously passed a resolution on July 11, 2023, in honour of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s 88th birthday. The resolution passed with a majority of 2023/505 honors the Dalai Lama’s impact on the promotion of nonviolence, human rights, environmental awareness, and democracy globally.
The resolution also commends the Dalai Lama’s tireless work in safeguarding Tibetans’ cultural, historical, and linguistic heritage, as well as his concerns regarding the environment in Tibet and its potential impact on the wider Asian region. Moreover, the resolution praises the Dalai Lama’s decision to step down from his political roles within the Central Tibetan Administration on 29 May 2011, supporting the transition to a democratically elected leadership for Tibetans in exile. In so doing, he formally ended the 368-year-old tradition of the Dalai Lamas functioning as both the spiritual and temporal head of Tibet.
The resolution concludes by acknowledging the Dalai Lama’s “lifelong commitment” to universal responsibility, emphasizing the importance of his teachings as guiding principles for human interaction and environmental preservation.
The efforts of Tibetan activists Tenzin Rangdol and Bhuchung Tsering of the International Campaign for Tibet were instrumental in bringing this resolution to fruition as per Tibet dot net.
The octogenarian leader has spent over six decades fostering tolerance, understanding, and respect among diverse religious communities worldwide. His efforts were acknowledged with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, recognizing his dedication to resolving conflicts through nonviolent means. The Dalai Lama’s commitment to peace was further acknowledged in 2007 when he received the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal, underscoring his contributions to global harmony and religious coexistence.
