Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has advocated giving Bharat Ratna to Tibetan spiritual guru Dalai Lama. He has said that he will soon recommend this by writing a letter to the central government. He described the Dalai Lama’s contribution as historical and culturally invaluable to India. He gave this statement in an interview to PTI.
Chief Minister Khandu said that the Dalai Lama has played an important role in keeping the Nalanda Buddhist tradition alive and taking it to the global stage. He said that in the 8th century, the gurus from India had spread Buddhism in Tibet, and later the Dalai Lama revived that tradition in India. Due to his efforts, many Buddhist institutions were established in South India, which are still taking advantage of the Himalayan region.
Dalai Lama’s contribution to preserving Tibetan Buddhism
Khandu said that when Buddhism was in danger in Tibet, the Dalai Lama came to India and brought with him to Tibetan Buddhist traditions. He established the traditions of major Buddhist sects such as Sakya, Kague and Gaden in India. Today, monks from Ladakh to Arunachal, India, get education in these institutions.
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China has no right in selection of Dalai Lama
Chief Minister Khandu dismissed China’s objection and said that Tibetan Buddhism is mainly prevalent in the Himalayan areas of India and not in China. Therefore, there should be no interference of China in the selection of Dalai Lama’s successor. He also clarified that the Dalai Lama institution has been going on for the last 600 years and the decision to maintain it has been taken by the Buddhist religious leaders.
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Global participation on 90th birthday
Khandu himself was present at the ceremony held in Dharamshala on the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama. He said that this opportunity was very special for him. Representatives from India and abroad participated in the ceremony and those who could not come, sent video messages. The event was historic and everyone was inspired to see the mental awareness of the Dalai Lama.
Foreign personalities also get Bharat Ratna
Khandu also reminded that Bharat Ratna has been given to persons of foreign origin before. These include Mother Teresa, Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela. In such a situation, giving this honor to the Dalai Lama would be completely justified, because he not only preserved the spiritual and cultural traditions of India, but also recognized them globally.
