Dharamshala — The Central Tibetan Administration and Tibetans celebrated the 65th anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day in Dharamsala on Tuesday. The Sikyong said that Tibetans in exile enjoy full democracy, bestowed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but that in Tibet, the Chinese Communist Party has destroyed over 6000 monasteries, forcibly disrobing monks and nuns, and killed approximately 1.2 million Tibetans. He said, "In the history of the Tibetan Buddhism, no force has ever caused a greater threat to the Buddha Dharma than the PRC’s Communist government."
Central Tibetan Administration organised an event to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day at Tsuklakhang, the main Tibetan temple, in Dharamshala, on September 2, 2025. The chief guests at the ceremony were Alfred Kan-Ngam, Member of the Indian Parliament, and Wada Yuichiro, Member of the Japanese Parliament, a delegation of around 30 members from the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT). Top leaders and staff of Central Tibetan Administration and students, people around the Dharamshala gathered there to celebrate the event.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering read out the statement of the 16th Kashag and said,"Today, on this momentous occasion of the sixty-fifth anniversary of Tibetan Democracy Day, concurrent with the global observance of the ‘Year of Compassion’ in celebration of His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, the Kashag extends its heartiest greetings to all the distinguished guests, the Tibetan people, and to all who are celebrating in their respective localities."
"His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama from a very young age held a profound commitment to democratic principles. Although his efforts at social reforms in Tibet could not materialize due to systematic obstructions by the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), His Holiness established the administration of the Tibetan government in exile on 29th April 1959 in Mussoorie, soon upon his arrival in India. On 3rd February 1960, representatives of the clergy and laity from Tibet’s three traditional provinces voluntarily and in unity took the Great Oath (Na Gan Thumoche), solemnly pledging to fulfill His Holiness’s counsel under his leadership. His Holiness then advised for the creation of an elected body comprising of representatives from the three traditional provinces and the major schools of the Tibetan Buddhism. On 2nd September 1960, the first Commission of Tibetan People’s Deputies was sworn in, laying the foundation for an administration dedicated to resolving the Tibetan struggle and ensuring the welfare of the Tibetan people in exile. Thus, the Tibetan Democracy Day marks a pivotal moment in the political history of the Tibetan people," Sikyong said.
Sikyong explained by saying,"On 2nd July 2025, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with infinite compassion, affirmed the continuation of the Institution of the Dalai Lama. On the same day, the eminent heads and masters of all Tibetan Buddhist traditions present at the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference, along with all other participants, unanimously adopted a three-point Resolution of Heartfelt Gratitude to His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama. The resolution stated that all the participants of the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference unanimously endorsed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s sacred statement. It affirmed that the process of recognizing the reincarnations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is rooted in the unique and sacred traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and condemned any attempts by the People’s Republic of China to politicize the religious practice while firmly rejecting all forms of external interference."
Sikyong said, "The PRC’s government, following its invasion of Tibet, undertook a systematic campaign to eradicate Tibetan Buddhism, destroying over 6000 monastic institutions, forcibly disrobing monks and nuns, and killing an estimated 1.2 million Tibetans. Today, Tibetans are coerced into abandoning their identity in order to forge a so-called “consciousness of the Chinese national.” With the state-mandated Sinizication of Tibetan Buddhism, restrictive quotas are imposed on the number of monks and nuns in the monasteries, while ownership and income of the monasteries are seized. Chinese Communist Party members, PRC government officials, and public security personnel are appointed to manage administration of the monasteries and movements of monks and nuns are restricted. They are further barred from pursuing their studies and practice of the Tibetan Buddhism and instead, are subjected to indoctrination in communist ideologies. Religious figures such as abbots, lamas, and geshes are forcibly used as political tools. In the history of the Tibetan Buddhism, no force has ever caused greater threat to the Buddha Dharma than the PRC’s Communist government. On the basis of history, morality, or any system of law, the PRC’s authorities have no legitimate right whatsoever to grant approval to the reincarnations of His Holiness while transgressing international borders."
Then Christina Jansen, Board Member of the International Campaign for Tibet addressed the gathering and she said,"It is an honour and a joy to be here with you today on Tibetan Democracy Day, which celebrates both history and hope. The ICT was created to support human rights and self-determination for Tibet, as well as the Central Tibetan Administration. My personal connection with Tibet dates back 50 years, to 1980, when I visited Tibet and a proud Tibetan handed me a letter to deliver to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I was very impressed. Later, I met His Holiness the Dalai Lama and handed him the letter along with many other messages from people living in Tibet. It was a very moving moment in my life. This man has disappeared, just as so many other Tibetans have disappeared in Tibet, but his courage, faith and trust in the Dalai Lama left a lasting impression on me."
The Chief guest, the Honourable Alfred Kan-Ngam Arthur, addressed the assembly and expressed his appreciation for the compassion, love, truth, courage, open-mindedness and understanding of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He encouraged everyone to spread his messages and follow the path that His Holiness has shown to Tibetans in order to achieve freedom for the Tibetan people.
Representing the Japanese parliamentary group supporting Tibet, the Honourable Member of Parliament Wada Yuichiro speaking at the assembly stated," July 2, 2025, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has made clear that his reincarnation will continue. He has also clearly stated that the selection or recognition of his reincarnation will be carried out by his office, the Gaden Phodrang, and that no one else will interfere in this process."
"We greatly appreciate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s efforts toward promoting world peace. We, the Japan Parliamentary Support Group, wholeheartedly support His Holiness’s efforts in making this world a better place for all sentient beings," the MP added.
Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile read out the statement of TPiE on 65th Tibetan Democracy day, "His Holiness the Dalai Lama has not only blessed the Tibetan people with a democratic system that continues to thrive and flourish, but also ensured that the religious heritage, culture, language, and so forth which define our Tibetan national and ethnic identity continue to remain vibrant."
"Despite ongoing pressure and the continuous spread of false propaganda by the Chinese government on the international stage, many governments, parliaments, and organisations continue to extend their support and assistance to Tibet and the Tibetan people. This enduring solidarity is a testament to the noble efforts and compassion of His Holiness the Dalai Lama," Speaker said.
"For the future too, thanks to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the fully democratic system of the Central Tibetan Administration located at Dharamshala in the holy land of India, hopes remain high that Tibet and the Tibetan people will continue to draw interest and support, with the situation in Tibet remaining a matter of great global concern on a sustained basis, so that the Tibetan people in Tibet and in exile may finally be reunited," Speaker said.
Speaker explained by saying, "The communist government of China has never abandoned the implementation of its vicious policy to eradicate the religious, cultural, linguistic and so forth identity of the Tibetan people. In fact, it still continues to bring into play ever more brutal and worse policies for these purposes. On the other hand, over the last many decades, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has continued to provide suggestions for the resolution of the Sino-Tibetan conflict through negotiations. However, not only were these unpalatable to the ears of the Chinese leaders but also the government of China had never stopped even to this day its highly repressive policy of routinely harassing and tightly controlling all aspects of the movement and behaviour of the Tibetan people and other ethnic minority people under its authoritarian rule. Nevertheless, the Tibetan people in Tibet have remained steadfast in their ethnic identity and loyalty. This has been a source of reinforcement for the courage and determination to the Tibetan people living in exile."
"On this special occasion, we also take the opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of India, our gracious hosts, and to all supporters of the Tibetan cause around the world—including those in the United States, Europe, Japan, and beyond—for their continued and unwavering support for our just struggle," the Speaker of TPiE.
Next, Yeshi Wangmo,the Chief Justice Commissioner of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission (TSJC) presented the Gaden Phodrang Awards to Tibetan students who achieved excellent results in their 12th grade examinations. Sikyong Penpa Tsering presented recognition awards to two CTA staff members for 25 years of service, while Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel conferred honorary awards to nine Tibetan PhD students.
The ceremony concluded with traditional dances performed by students from various Tibetan schools and Tibetans from Dharamsala.
