Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Tibetan Democracy Day

Mains level: Not Much

tibet

Central Idea

Tibetan Democracy Day on September 2 marks the founding of the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala.
It signifies the establishment of Tibetan democracy after forced displacement.

Tibetan Govt in Exile: Historical Genesis

In 1960, a year after Tibetans were displaced, the first elected representatives of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile were sworn in.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s influence led to the enactment of the Tibetan constitution in 1963, emphasizing democracy.

The first women representatives were elected in 1963 under the Tibetan constitution.
In 1975, the CTA declared September 2 as the founding day of Tibetan democracy.
The Charter of the Tibetans in exile was adopted in 1991, followed by the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission in 1992.

The CTA, led by the President (Sikyong), operates through departments: Religion and Culture, Home, Finance, Education, Security, Information and International Relations, and Health.
The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile has 45 members representing various aspects of the Tibetan community.

The Dalai Lama’s shift to semi-retirement led to direct elections of the executive head, Kalön Tripa.
In 2011, His Holiness delegated political authority to Sikyong, the President of the CTA.

In 1960, the first elected Tibetan representatives took their oaths in Bodh Gaya, marking the inception of the democratic system.
Bodh Gaya played a pivotal role in the early days of Tibetan democracy.

India respects the Dalai Lama as a spiritual leader but does not officially recognize the CTA as a government.
It balances diplomatic considerations while supporting Tibetan refugees.

The US stands as a vocal supporter, with bipartisan backing and specialized coordinators for Tibet.
While global recognition is limited, Tibetans value India’s consistent support.

	Description
Origin and Development	Form of Vajrayana Buddhism; emerged in Tibetan Plateau and Himalayan regions
Tantric Practices	Emphasizes rapid spiritual awakening through rituals, visualizations, and energy transformation
Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama	Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) is spiritual leader; Panchen Lama is also significant
Monastic Traditions	Strong monastic presence; monks and nuns preserve teachings and meditate
Deity Pantheon	Diverse deities representing enlightenment qualities; depicted in mandalas and thangkas
Prayer Flags and Wheels	Flags convey prayers; wheels accumulate merit and blessings
Reincarnation and Tulku System	Belief in reincarnation; system to identify tulkus (reincarnated lamas)