The Dalai Lama

Message

To welcome the new millennium the Tibetan Youth Congress and Friends of Tibet in Bombay are organising a Festival of Tibet, celebrating Tibet and its rich culture and traditional way of life. Even after forty years, Tibetans inside Tibet and those of us scattered in exile cherish the dreams of freedom being restored in our homeland. But it is not only the Tibetan people's freedom we are concerned with. There is a great deal in Tibet's religious culture, its medical knowledge, peaceful outlook and respectful attitude to the environment that can be of widespread benefit to others. We have been successful in preserving these traditions and values so far, but in the long term we can continue to maintain them in a dynamic way only if freedom prevails in Tibet. And to achieve this we will need the continued support of the many friends we already have around the world and many more. I feel sure that this Festival will provide an opportunity for us to make many more friends and for those we have already to deepen their understanding and appreciation of things Tibetan.

I want to particularly thank our friends for holding such a festival in Bombay. It is of special significance because of the twelve centuries of religious and cultural relationship that Tibet and India have shared. India therefore has a moral obligation to come to the assistance of the Tibetan people and I consider the support of India and its people to be crucial to our ultimate success.

In conjunction with the Festival of Tibet, the Friends of Tibet in Bombay and Tibetan Youth Congress are publishing a book entitled Breaking Silence: In Support of Tibet . The title alone expresses an important spirit of optimism, which is essential for us to maintain if we are to attain our goal. Indeed it is never too late for positive change to take place. In the closing years of the twentieth century, freedom has blossomed and the winds of change have blown in many parts of the world that had long yearned for them. The key is never to give up hope, which is of course where our friends can help us.

My greetings to everyone attending and participating in the Festival of Tibet 2000. I am grateful for your support for the Tibetan people and pray that all of our efforts may meet with success.

December 2, 1999