Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok addressing the gathering, 18 November 2016.
DHARAMSHALA: Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok of the Tibetan Parliament attended the 24th Kundiya Gayatri festival on 18 November at Lower Dharamshala. The festival was organised by Akhil Visha Gayathri Pariwar of Kangra district.
A yatra to Mount Kailash was also begun at 03:00 pm that day for world peace and the welfare of all sentient beings.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok spoke about the rich diversity of cultures in India and the importance of respecting each other’s cultures and tradtions to secure a harmonious society.
He further spoke about the origins of Tibetan Buddhism from ancient India and the efforts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to preserve the Tibetan Buddhist traditions in exile.
He also highlighted the deteriorating political and human rights situation inside Tibet. “Even holding a photo of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a punishable crime inside Tibet,” he said, emphasising the need to preserve Tibet’s rich culture from exile.
Following his address, the organising committee of the festival offered a memento in gratitude to the Deputy Speaker.
Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok with the participants of the Kundiya Gayatri festival.