Voices of Tibetans

What does the Dalai Lama mean to you?

Pema Khando
Artist

«I consider His Holiness to be my most important teacher and guide. Through his daily advice and books, I learned to respond calmly to life’s challenges and believe there is always a way out, instead of getting stressed, anxious and depressed.»

«After losing my mother at a young age, his teachings helped me not fall into despair and instead strengthened my determination to look after my father. His teachings and the guidance of my teachers at school inspired me to come back and work for my school and to give back to the community by sharing everything I have learned.»

«His Holiness defines his students as those who are kind, honest and mindful of not harming others. I try to be honest and kind in every situation, including how I interact with others, verbally and otherwise. I am always mindful of fulfilling my duties as a student of His Holiness and a Tibetan.»

Dundup Donka
President / VTD

«His Holiness is far more than a political leader to us Tibetans — he represents the very heart and soul of Tibetan identity, culture, and spirituality. He is seen as the manifestation of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, embodying the ideals of wisdom, compassion, and and a steadfast champion of nonviolence for the entire world.»

«To me, His Holiness is like a parent: someone I trust, love, and revere, who offers both practical guidance and profound spiritual wisdom. Despite the hardships we Tibetans have endured since 1959, His Holiness continues to inspire us with inner strength, compassion, forgiveness, and resilience.»

«Without His Holiness, both my homeland, Tibet, and my identity as a Bodhpa might already have been lost to the world. May His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet live long!»

* VTD stands for Association of Tibetans in Germany

Dr. Namri Dagyab
Board of Directors / ICT Germany

«For me, the Dalai Lama stands for extraordinary moral clarity. He has taken on an enormous responsibility for which he was neither elected nor prepared – and he has done so with a dignity and humanity that has inspired the world and been recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize.»

«His Holiness has shown us how far compassion can go – now it is up to us to draw strength from this and take the next step.»

Arya Amipa
Co-President / TYAE

«His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the embodiment of compassion and through his teachings I have learned to better understand the interdependence between us humans and to feel compassion for people who approach me with negativity.»

«His holiness gives me support and hope and acts as a moral compass for me.»

* TYAE stands for Association of Tibetan Youth in Europe, based in Zurich/Switzerland

Palmo Tenzin
Senior Researcher/ ICT Germany

«The relationship between us Tibetans and the Dalai Lama is first and foremost a very personal connection. It is like being asked what your parents mean to you, because we can’t articulate all the different ways the Dalai Lama provides life-sustaining and soul-strengthening support until it is threatened.»

«To us, he is the embodiment of an individual’s potential, of what a human can be; kind, connected, present and with a resolute confidence in the power of compassion and humanity. And that is in fact what we believe he is – the physical expression or personification of compassion.»

«So many Tibetans have suffered enormous pain, but we all look to the Dalai Lama for his moral clarity, strength and guidance. He has carried our nation and its unique culture on his shoulders with unwavering confidence in our ancient knowledge and traditions, and a deep faith in humanity’s potential for good.»

Ama Tendon
Animal rights activist and retiree

«My name is Tendon. After the Chinese Communist Party invaded Tibet and His Holiness fled into exile in 1959, I followed His Holiness into exile in 1960. I am now 73 years old and have been living in exile all this time. The relationship between Tibetan people and His Holiness cannot be described in ordinary words.»

«For Tibetan people, His Holiness is our root guru, our parent, and our leader in both spiritual and political matters. For Tibetans, there is no one greater than Him anywhere in the world. This year, His Holiness has reached the age of 90.»

«Since His Holiness assumed responsibility for both the spiritual and political leadership of Tibet at the age of 16, he has not only made Tibet clearly recognizable to the world, but also Tibetans have been able to live happily in exile and maintain their political well-being. For Tibetans, His Holiness’s absence would be like losing the sun from the sky—such is the relationship that exists between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Tibetans.»