The following is excerpted and translated from the Tibetan transcription of the late Panchen Lama's taped statement in Lhasa at the Monlam Festival of 1986:

I have come for this Monlam festival and taken the complete responsibility of organizing it and presiding over it. I am neither highly learned nor do I have any ability. However, the Party and especially the people of Tibet have placed their trust in me. Therefore, I have to shoulder this responsibility whether I have any ability or not.

I hope and pray that soon the All Knowing (the Dalai Lama) will be able to return to Tibet and officiate all the religious functions, including the Monlam festival. He has recently given Kalachakra initiations in India, which is a great service to Buddhism and sentient beings. His Holiness and I are spiritual friends. We have no differences between us. However, some people are spreading rumours and trying to play up the past differences between the Gaden Phodrang government and my monastery. I would like to tell them not to play up such matters as doing so can only be detrimental to the cause of Buddhism and the Tibetan people.

... To my sorrow, much old thinking persists. Old wounds are being opened up to create bad blood between the U and Tsang regions, and between the Gaden Phodrang government and my monastery. Also, people tend to talk in terms of U-Tsang, Khampa and Amdo. This is not good. We all are the children of Father Boddhisatva Monkey and Mother Rock Ogress. We are all the inhabitants of the Snowland of Tibet. It is worse than useless to talk in divisive terms.

If we look back at the history of Tibet, we see that Tibet suffered as a result of breakdown of unity since the reign of King Lang Tharma. If we are united, the Tibetan nationality will progress and Buddhism will flourish. On the other hand, if we are divided, Buddhism and the Tibetan nationality will suffer set back. Our people will also suffer misery. Therefore, I would like to request all of you to shun divisive attitude. The monasteries also should not talk in terms of you and us.

In the past, when we were suppressed under the leftist policy, none of us dared utter a word of protest. It is not good to open up old wounds now that happier times are coming. If we are all united, Tibet will progress and our nationality will join the circle of developed nationalities. Our region will then be as developed as any other region in the Great Motherland. We will also be successful in our efforts to promote the Buddhist religion. I request all of you to keep this in your mind.

Published by
Department of Information and International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration
Gangchen Kyishong
Dharamsala
INDIA

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Last updated: 19-August-98