Members and friends of the Wisconsin Tibetan Association gathered at Eagle Heights Community Center, Madison, Wisconsin on the evening of December 10th, 2006 to commemorate the 17th anniversary of H.H. the Dalai Lama being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The event was highlighted with the presence of Geshe Sopha la from Deer Park Buddhist Center and long time Tibetan supporter, Wisconsin State Representative Joe Parisi and his family.
Mr Lobsang Tenzin, President of the Wisconsin Tibetan Association and host of the event started the evening by stating, “We are very happy and proud that His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s continuous efforts to promote world peace and harmony in these troubled times has been duly acknowledged by the people of the world. Through his message of love, compassion, kindness and interdependence across all sections of humanity, we pray we can achieve to make the world a better place to live in. On this auspicious day, we extend our heartfelt facilitations to His Holiness and pray for his long life. We would also like to appeal to him to continue to the work for the benefit of all sentient beings on this earth.”
Mr Tenzin also reminded the audience that this was the World Human Rights Day. Tibetans who enjoy freedom in exile have their hearts with fellow countrymen back in Tibet whose human rights are continuously and atrociously abused by the Chinese Government. Mr Tenzin requested the audience to strive to work together, bearing in mind the wishes of His Holiness, to preserve Tibetan culture and identity, work towards building a harmonious society and ultimately work for the liberation of fellow Tibetans in Tibet.
Representative Joe Parisi thanked the Tibetan Community for inviting him to be part of the celebration to honor such an honorable and remarkable leader who has sacrificed his whole life trying to spread peace and compassion in the world. Representative Parisi presented the Wisconsin Tibetan Association’s President, Mr Lobsang Tenzin with a plaque from the WI State Assembly honoring H.H. the Dalai Lama’s work for peace and on the event of H.H. being awarded the Congressional medal of peace.
Children from the Saturday Tibetan School sang the Tibetan Nobel Toeshay song followed by numerous dances such as “Sug Zemala” by the youngest students, “Tashi Shoepa” by the older students and a dance by the adults from the Tibetan community.
