The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wednesday congratulated the new Emperor of Japan on his accession to the throne of Japan. Naruhito ascended the throne after his father, now-Emperor Emeritus Akihito, abdicated, for the first time in the recent history.
Naruhito became emperor formally on Wednesday morning after his father’s reigned was put to an end on Tuesday midnight, citing his age and failing health. He symbolically took possession of the sacred imperial regalia – a sword and a gem – that have been passed down through the generations. In a brief ceremony, Naruhito, 59 vowed to stay close to the Japanese people and work for world peace.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to congratulate Emperor Naruhito on his accession to the throne of Japan and the dawning of the new Reiwa era and the following is the official letter as published on the official website of his office on Wednesday.
“I warmly admire Your Majesty’s determination,” he wrote, “to continue your respected father’s, the Emperor Emeritus’s, compassionate approach of interacting closely with the public, while fulfilling the responsibility of Symbol of the State.
“I have profound respect for the resilience of the people of Japan,” he continued, “and for the way the nation rose up again from the ashes of World War II. In subsequent years too, Japan has faced unprecedented, natural disasters but has recovered thanks to a combination of hard work and strength of spirit. I have seen this with my own eyes when I had the opportunity to visit areas struck by the devastating earthquake and the tsunami of 2011. I met there with people affected by these calamities and we prayed together for those members of the community who had lost their lives.
“Over the last fifty years or so, during regular visits to Japan, I have deeply appreciated the interest and enthusiasm that people from all walks of life have shown in my efforts to encourage the cultivation of such fundamental human values as compassion and religious harmony.”
His Holiness concluded with a prayer that His Majesty’s reign will be successful, that the people will be happy, and that the new era will contribute to a more peaceful, compassionate world.
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