Address at the 1st International Conference on Middle-Way Policy

The 1^st International Conference on Middle-Way Policy was convened for six days (26 – 31 May 2018) in the hall of Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Dharamshala.

At the request of the organisers of the conference, on 29 May 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a talk and answered questions on the theme of “The Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People.” His Eminence Rinpoche pointed out that the Middle-Way Policy has become a system of knowledge; unless one knows the wider situation and the background details it would be difficult to know it decisively and correctly.

That document, “Memorandum on Genuine Autonomy for the Tibetan People,” is like a root text of the Middle-Way Policy, His Eminence Rinpoche said, and explained the details.

His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche was requested to grace, as the Chief Guest, the concluding session of the conference. His Eminence Rinpoche expressed congratulatory admiration to the youths and other attendees to the conference, and said that the Middle Way is a policy approved through democratic procedure subsequent to consecutive discussions on ways of resolving the Tibet issue. To honestly support this policy it is important to understand the purports of this policy, so it is important to look into the documents related to this policy. In future, even if changes need to be made with the Chinese Constitution there would not be the need to make changes with the major framework of the Middle Way, His Eminence Rinpoche said.

Continuing on, His Eminence Rinpoche pointed out that, looking from any angle—the situation of the Chinese military, politics and economy, and in terms of the options that are in the hands of we Tibetans—there is nothing better than the Middle Way.

Attendees to the talks and the conference numbered over 520, comprised of sitting and former members of the parliament, over 400 participants from around 30 localities, representatives of various organisations, and members of public.