His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso congratulated his followers on the New Year of the Tibetan lunar calendar (Losar). The first day of the first month of the year fell on March 3rd.
The spiritual leader talked about preparation for the New Year holidays: “We do extra shopping for Losar. Family and friends get together wearing new clothes and ornaments. We feel refreshed and restored at Losar. I am hopeful that on this occasion Losar will be pleasant, joyful and comfortable for us all, for those of us in exile, but most especially for our fellow Tibetans throughout the Three Provinces of the Land of Snows. Anyway, many changes are taking place.
People from abroad also take interest in our culture and traditions.
As part of Tibetan tradition, we arrange Chemar (buttered roasted barley flour) and other offerings on the altar for Losar. We greet people with “Losar Tashi Delek!” – “good luck for the New Year!” Isn’t it rare for Tibetans to get into fights on new Year’s day? Everybody is generally festive and in good spirits on New year’s Day. All Tibetans, whether we a living in other counties abroad, and especially our fellow Tibetans inside Tibet, all of us, people of the Land of Snows, are the ones-to-be-tamed by Arya Avalokiteshvara in whom we place our faith and trust, and to whom we pray.
In the land encircled by a fence of snow mountains, the source of all happiness and benefit Arya Avalokiteshvara. I live as the bodily, verbal and mental embodiment of the holy body, speech and mind of Avalokiteshvara. I am confident that I will remain like this for another decade or more. It is very important that all Tibetans cultivate compassion. Please remember this and do your best to be good human beings.”
