Dalai visit morale booster to followers Prabal Kr Das BOMDILA, Nov 11 – The fourteenth Dalai Lama might not have highlighted the Tibetan issue in the backdrop of present India-China relationship, but his visit has certainly come as a boost to the morale of scores of his followers, some of whose ancestors were displaced from Tibet following the arrival of the Chinese. An animated atmosphere was palpable in Tawang and adjoining areas, where people from all walks of life have flocked to see the iconic head of Tibetan Buddhism. The most common refrains would be: “He is our God, we are happy, we feel blessed by his presence”.
Such feelings were shared by the old and the young alike, but for the youth especially it was an opportunity to be reminded of their roots.
Maya, a young student from Tawang said, “Seeing his holiness has made me aware that I am part of a culture rich in spirituality. So rich that even the West is taking a deep interest in our religion and philosophy.”
A lady monk, who wished not to be named, was of the belief that the visit of the Dalai Lama would be able to make young people continue the age-old traditions and practices of Buddhism, “a religion that encourages people to lead a virtuous life imbued with love and compassion”.
Interestingly, the visit of the Tibetan spiritual leader was perceived as significant by a section of political leaders, who believe that India allowing his visit would further negate Chinese claims on Arunachal Pradesh. The Indian position has been seen as bold and foresighted by a number of political leaders, a few of them spending time with the Dalai Lama.
Not so expected was the spiritual leader’s role in promoting environmental causes in a biodiversity rich region of the world. By blessing and distributing saplings, his message to his followers was crystal clear: take action, or face an environmental catastrophe. Those who attended his first religious discourse in Tawang were told that their compassion must extend to all living beings, if they were to lead virtuous lives.
In Bomdi-La, where the Dalai Lama is going to address a religious congregation in the monastery, the atmosphere is one of joyous anticipation. People in the modest hill settlement are already preparing to give him a colourful reception. Nand Kishore, a young businessman, said that the Nobel Laureate “means a lot not just to followers of Buddhism but to all people who believe in humanity”.
With the presence of a large media contingent around the iconic Buddhist figure, it was not just that Tenzing Gyatso gained attention, but the Buddhist heritage of entire Arunachal Pradesh came into sharp focus. Tour operators of the State agree that the visit of the international figure will fuel the tourist trade that was adversely affected by recent posturing by China.
The impact of his visit was felt in a telling way among people, who usually would have been leading fairly cloistered lives. Some of those who spoke to this correspondent revealed their surprise at the media attention. While happy that Arunachal was in the limelight, they also spoke about more pressing issues that required attention. A local resident of Dirang asked, “Why don’t you write about the condition of the road between Tezpur and Tawang? Is this the way an important route should be maintained?”
