HH the XIV Dalai Lama Blesses Wellbeing Beneficiaries

Kochi, Kerala, India - Sethu Das, founder of the Friends of Tibet, a people's movement to keep the issue of Tibet alive through direct action, escorted His Holiness the Dalai Lama through a small exhibition of photographs and artifacts related to Tibet in Kochi this morning. Then, before an assembly of Friends of Tibet and patients who have benefited from Tibetan medical camps, he gave him a fulsome welcome.

 He described the development of medical camps providing people with access to the Tibetan Medical Tradition, which have since grown into a programme called Wellbeing. He said, "It is the tragedy that has befallen Tibet that has brought this ancient medical tradition to the notice and benefit of people in India, as it has indeed brought His Holiness's blessed presence among us today."

Dr Dorjee Rapten Neshar read a report explaining that since they began in 2010, the Tibetan medical camps have acquired 2000 registered patients who are served by two Tibetan physicians. These patients have all been alerted by word of mouth alone. Many of them with chronic ailments have made a remarkable improvement and there is a demand for more Wellbeing camps in other towns.

His Holiness responded that he was happy to address the gathering and particularly happy to know of the success of the Tibetan medical facilities being offered. He said it is symptomatic of Tibetan culture, which is a culture of peace, non-violence and compassion. He added that since the arrival in Tibet of the message of the Buddha, with its logically presented philosophical views, Tibetan society as a whole became more compassionate. He admitted that he too is someone who regularly takes Tibetan medicine and recalled that after an international medical conference convened in Tibet by King Trisong Detsen in the 8th century CE, Tibetan medicine had become much more effective, adding that there is still room for improvement.

Referring to Tibet's culture of peace and compassion, he said, "It's like a medication ensuring peace of mind. Sadly, narrow minded and short sighted communist officials in Tibet today only consider the power of the gun; they don't even recognise the power of peace of mind."

"As far as the Buddhadharma is concerned, the tradition we Tibetans preserve is the richest anywhere and as such is a world treasure. Although Buddhist doctrine is really only of interest to Buddhists, there are aspects of Buddhist cultural that can be applied by anyone, whatever their own faith."
Talking about the difficulties that prevail in Tibet, His Holiness remarked that China maintains such huge forces there that their internal security budget exceeds their defence spending. He said that pursuing the Middle Way approach is not to deny Tibet's past status and recalled a Chinese archaeologist telling him in 1979 of evidence that Tibetan civilisation had evolved from its own roots, quite distinct from China. He concluded that supporting Tibet is in India's interest and expressed his appreciation for the Friends of Tibet's dedicated efforts.