Lobsang Sangay Swearing In Ceremony

Opening speeches were made in both Tibetan and English, and the Kashag (Parliament) offered khatas to HH Dalai Lama as the event began. The Tibetan national anthem was sung, and Samdhong Rinpoche raised the Tibetan Snow Lion flag. According to tradition, butter tea and sweet rice were offered to His Holiness and and the main dignitaries.


Chief Justice Commissioner Ngawang Phelgyal administered the Oath of Office to Dr. Lobsang Sangay at 9 minutes and 9 seconds after 9am, which was chosen as an auspicious time. He received a standing ovation from the crowd, and was congratulated, and given an affectionate hug, by the Dalai Lama.

Outgoing KT Samdhong Rinpoche made a speech offering his congratulations and well-wishes, speaking first in Tibetan followed by English. He spoke of the occasion as “a new chapter in Tibetan history”, referring to events in the history of an independent Tibet, and declaring “this is the hardest and most testing period in Tibet’s history”. Professor Rinpoche praised the growth of democracy in the exile community under the guidance of HH Dalai Lama and said this transfer of power to “a new generation with modern education” would lead to “a new history for a common future”. Following the speech, he transferred the Seal of Kashag to Dr Sangay, followed by a presentation of khata. 


His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a speech in Tibetan, for which no translation was provided. 


Dr. Lobsang Sangay’s Acceptance Speech touched on many topics, mainly his promise to work for a genuine autonomy for Tibet and the goal of returning His Holiness to Tibet. “We will reach the mountain top of freedom and reunite Tibetans inside and outside Tibet,” he declared, stressing that Tibet has no quarrel with the Chinese people. He emphasized that recent democratic election results have shown that “the Tibetan leadership is far from fizzling out”. 


Dr Sangay also heartily thanked India’s government and people for their hospitality since 1959. He encouraged everyone to support the Lhakar Movement. He spoke of other initiatives including the establishment of a “Tibet Policy Institute” as well as a “Tibet Corps” (more details at the link below).


“Today, we are in the holy land of India, where the Lord Shakyamuni attained Buddhahood. Next we will meet in the holy land of Tibet, where Buddhism is the heart and soul of six million Tibetans. We are always ready to embark on this epic journey from Dharamsala, the abode of Dharma, to Lhasa, the abode of Gods. From the town where His Holiness the Dalai Lama lives, to the city where he belongs.”


A full transcript of the Acceptance Speech can be found on the official webpage of the Central Tibetan Administration.