Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Oct. 7: Jetsun Pema, popularly known as Ama (Mother) Jetsun Pema, the sister of His Holiness the Dalai Lama was honoured with the prestigious Christmas Humphreys Award on Wednesday at Upper Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) in Dharamshala. The award, presented by the Buddhist Society, London, recognises her lifelong contribution to the education and welfare of Tibetan children, as well as her efforts to preserve Tibetan cultural identity within the exile community.
The honour acknowledges Ama Jetsun Pema’s decades of dedicated service to Tibetan children and her pioneering role in creating educational opportunities that combine modern learning with Tibetan values, traditions and cultural heritage. Her work has been closely associated with the growth and development of TCV, which has since expanded into a network of more than ten branches.
Speaking to media representatives after the ceremony, Ama Jetsun Pema emphasised the responsibility of Tibetan parents living in India and abroad to safeguard the cultural and spiritual heritage of younger generations. She noted that Tibetans living inside occupied Tibet continue to face the policies of the Chinese government, making it all the more important for Tibetan families living in free countries to ensure that their children remain connected to their religion, culture, traditions and way of life.
She said the freedom enjoyed by Tibetans living outside occupied Tibet should be used constructively to nurture children with a strong sense of Tibetan identity. Through collective endeavour, responsible parenting and sustained efforts to transmit Tibetan values, she expressed confidence that the younger generation could grow up firmly rooted in their heritage.
Reflecting on the award, she placed the recognition in a broader context, stressing that the development of TCV was not the achievement of one individual. She acknowledged the contributions of numerous colleagues, former staff members and others who worked tirelessly alongside her over the years. She said the institution’s accomplishments were the product of a collective commitment and the sustained efforts of many people who helped build and strengthen Tibetan education in exile.
She also highlighted the pivotal role of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Tibetan community, noting that many major initiatives have emerged under his guidance and vision. With both herself and His Holiness now advancing in age, she said the responsibility of preserving and carrying forward his aspirations increasingly rests with the younger generation.
The Christmas Humphreys Award is presented by the London-based Buddhist Society and is named after Christmas Humphreys, a prominent British barrister, judge and early advocate of Buddhism in the West. Humphreys founded the Buddhist Lodge in 1924, which later evolved into the Buddhist Society, one of Europe’s oldest Buddhist organisations.
The award has previously been conferred on Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who received the honour in England on May 28, 2005.
