-Som
I was born in Tibet, and it is my deepest wish to die in the
same land where I first opened my eyes. If fate decrees that I die in exile, I
hope that someone will help to immerse my ashes in Lhamo Lha-Tso, the sacred
lake in Tibet near my birthplace. The lake is renowned as one of the most
sacred lakes in Tibet, where signs and visions were believed to have guided the
recognition of the reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Otherwise, I would regret having my ashes—along with the
tattoo ink of “Dalai Lama” on my right elbow— scattered in a land of exile,
far from home. Yet I will never stop speaking about my country and my people
until my eyes close and my breath ceases.
When I speak about Tibet and its suffering, it does not mean
that I seek involvement in politics. For Tibetans, however, our national cause
is not something we can simply avoid. We were born into it. It is neither wise
nor honorable for a Tibetan to say, “Politics does not interest me,” or “It is
none of my business.” We cannot compare ourselves to those who already have a
homeland and a sovereign country of their own. As Tibetans, we carry a unique
responsibility: to remain aware of our national struggle while pursuing our
personal and professional ambitions, whether we are doctors, engineers,
teachers, or anything else.
Of course! No one should be blamed if I am unable to
accomplish something significant for my country during my lifetime. However, I
would feel compelled to apologize to future generations whose journeys may
continue under the same shadow through which I have lived.
Of course, no one should be blamed if I am unable to
accomplish something significant for my country during my lifetime. However, I
would feel compelled to apologize to future generations whose journeys may
continue under the same shadow through which I have lived and who may continue to
walk the same difficult path that my generation has endured. Our struggle spans
generations. It belongs to the child born yesterday and the elder who may pass
away tomorrow. No matter where we live, what we do, or who we are with, we
share a common aspiration and a common goal. We must never forget where we came from, nor the hardships
our people have faced. We must remember our forefathers and honor the
sacrifices of those who gave their lives for Tibet. We must remember the brave
Tibetans who self-immolated in protest and the final messages they left behind
for our nation and our people.
It is our responsibility to educate our children and younger
generations not only on how to achieve success and prosperity but also on Tibet's history, the challenges our people face, and the importance of
preserving our national identity. We have a duty to protect our culture,
promote our language, and ensure that our heritage survives for generations to
come.
Unity must remain at the heart of our collective vision. It
should be engraved in the mind of every Tibetan. Unity is our strength;
division is our weakness. When we stand together, we endure. When we divide, we
falter. With this shared purpose, each of us has a role to play.
There are times when national interests must come before personal interests.
Every individual can contribute in their own way through their talents,
knowledge, and dedication. Not every effort will succeed, and not every
strategy will influence the course of history, but that should never prevent us
from trying.
Let us begin each day with the hope of a free Tibet and end
each night with the same conviction in our hearts. Tibet is our homeland. It is
the place from which we came, and the place to which many of us dream of
returning before we die.
Comments
Post a Comment