His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Sunday sent a warm letter of congratulations to US president-elect Joe Biden, commending him for his election victory, which was announced by major media outlets over the weekend, following a tumultuous and hard-fought campaign.
Biden, accompanied by vice president-elect Kamala Harris, offered a rousing victory speech on Saturday night to a deeply divided nation, after winning “with the most votes ever cast for a presidential ticket in the history of this nation,” pledging to unify, to heal, and to “restore the soul of America.” (Al Jazeera)
The Tibetan spiritual leader opened his message with an expression of admiration for the United States as an “anchor of liberty, democracy, religious freedom, and the rule of law.” Emphasizing the hope that the US represents as a symbol of democracy and as the leader of the free world, His Holiness urged Biden to use his time in office to contribute to building a more peaceful world, while addressing the increasingly urgent need to relieve poverty and injustice and mitigate the impact of climate change. (His Holiness the 14th Dalai lama of Tibet)
The Dalai Lama also praised the Biden campaign for selecting as his running mate California senator Harris, who is poised to become the first female, black, and Indian-American vice president in US history.
The Dalai Lama continued:
Following my devolution of political authority over matters relating to the cause of Tibet to the elected Tibetan leadership in exile, I have been committed to promoting human values, religious harmony and the principles of non-violence and compassion, which I believe are very much needed in today’s world.
I would like to thank you for your support for the Tibetan people, during your time in Congress and the previous administration, as well as for your statement in September this year. It has been the Tibetan people’s good fortune to have received the friendship and encouragement of the American people and their respective Presidents in our endeavor to protect and preserve our ancient Buddhist culture — a culture of peace, non-violence and compassion — that has great potential to benefit humanity as a whole. On their behalf, I take this opportunity to express my gratitude once again.
I wish you every success in meeting the challenges that lie ahead in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of the United States and in contributing to a more peaceful and harmonious world. (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
Dr. Lobsang Sangay, sikyong (president) of the Central Tibetan Administration (sometimes known as the Tibetan government-in-exile), also offered a commendatory message for Biden and Harris, stating: “On behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration and the Tibetan people, I would like to congratulate you on your election as the 46th President of the United States of America.”
“I genuinely admire your decades of service to the nation, and your victory is an affirmation of the trust people of the United States places in you and the values that you stand for,” Sangay said. “My sincerest congratulations and wishes on a successful term.” (Central Tibetan Administration)
Sangay observed that the appointment of Harris as first woman and the first woman of color to the US government’s second-highest office, and as the highest-ranking woman in the history of American government, would serve as the benchmark of a new era for women in global politics and leadership. He added that Harris’ Indian heritage was also a matter of pride and inspiration for Indians across the world.
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Congratulating President-Elect Joe Biden (His Holiness the 14th Dalai lama of Tibet)
Sikyong congratulates US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris (Central Tibetan Administration)
Joe Biden acceptance speech: Full transcript (Al Jazeera)
