This is the final day of our Yogurt Festival. There are present among us the Tibetan government lhamo dancers, as well as lhamo dancers from various other places, members of the monastic sangha, and laymen and women. I want to be the first to congratulate all of you on the successful completion of this event. Many of us Tibetans, living scattered everywhere, have assembled here to celebrate together this ninth annual community festival, which I find delightful.

As spectators, you have been very well entertained. At the same time, this is a pleasant reminder to us of our country, Tibet, and its lifestyle. This is a good thing. You lhamo dancers have undergone great fatigue for several days in order to exhibit your dance. By doing so, you have satisfied the desire of all these spectators to see it. This is wonderful, and I thank you all for it.

In general, music and dance are part of every human culture. For us Tibetans, the lhamo dance, in particular, is considered part of the art of drama, which is an aspect of the art of creation, one of the five main areas of knowledge. The lhamo dance has become emblematic of Tibetan culture as a whole, making it unique among the many types of Tibetan music and dance. According to its history, the lhamo dance tradition was begun by the holy mahasiddha, Tangtong Gyalpo. Nowadays many lhamo dances depict Indian legends, making it seem as though this dance is of Indian origin. However, what was performed here today was the story of the woman Nangsa Obum, who was a yogini from the region of Tsang in Tibet. Therefore, this story is more than just entertainment. It is really a record of how Tibetans of the past practiced the holy dharma and underwent great difficulty in order to do so, and of how devoted and courageous they were. All this is clearly shown to us in the performance, as is the meaninglessness of samsara, as described in the holy dharma. We can learn much about the holy dharma by watching many of the lhamo dances. In the same way, many of the vicissitudes of mundane life are portrayed.

The flourishing of the tradition of the lhamo dance primarily depends on the hard work of its performers. We spectators merely have to sit and watch; we do not study or perform. Therefore, I wish to congratulate the lhamo troupe of the Tibetan government, the lhamo performers from other places, and those from the schools. You have done wonderfully; please continue your efforts. Teach one another and work together. If by doing so you learn from one another's experience, the tradition of lhamo dance will grow and improve. That is my hope.

Aside from that, I have nothing in particular to say to you today. However, some, born as refugees, call Indian music and Western music "contemporary music," and are more interested in them than in Tibetan culture, including the lhamo dance. In a sense, they are not to be blamed. Since they have been born in, and grown up in, these other countries, it is natural that they have become used to those cultures. However, even if it is not your favorite, you need to respect and identify with your own culture. As we are a distinct ethnicity, I think that this is very important. Otherwise, if we are Tibetans with no respect for Tibetan culture, we are a disgrace to our own ethnicity. I think, therefore, that it is of great importance that we praise, treasure, and respect our culture as much as we can.

Our joyous gathering like this, here in India, is due to the kindness of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. We should keep his kindness in mind. In fact, we need to do more than remember his kindness: we should, each of us according to our individual ability, follow His Holiness's advice. It is pointless to listen to his advice without following any of it. It is very important to follow the advice we receive from His Holiness. If we do so, whether you call this the samaya between lama and disciple, or respect, it is one of the most important things. It is the Tibetan cause. It is also being benevolently concerned with the welfare of all Tibetans.

Although I have come here as a refugee, my mind has not changed; I wish to repay the kindness of, and serve His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people as best I can. Whether you call this love of the Tibetan people or patriotism, I never forget it. This is also our responsibility as a people. We always say, "Next year, may there be a performance of the lhamo dance in the courtyard of the Norbulingka." Whether you call this an aspiration or a hope, it is something we both need to and can accomplish.

There are some who think that what we call "the Tibetan cause" is just something that we talk about, something that we never see or hold in our hands. This is untrue, as can be seen by looking at the activity of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, or at the Tibetan people as a whole. When, in this world, people say "Tibet," it refers to something unique. Our final aim will quickly be within our grasp; please aspire to this as strongly as you can.

We have all very much enjoyed this Yogurt Festival, including the performances by the government dance troupe and the other troupes. I pray that we may continue to assemble in this way in the future, while enjoying long lives and in good health. Tashi Delek.

Translated by Lama Yeshe Gyamtso; translation copyright 2003 Karma Triyana Dharmachakra.

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Visit the gallery for a glimpse of His Holiness Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje at the Shoton.