In Dharamsala on May 2^nd and 3^rd His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche attended a two-day conference of the spiritual leaders of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional Bon religion, headed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Together with other leading Rinpoches and representatives the thirteen participants met in the conference hall of Surya Resort in Dharamsala. In addition all the staff members of the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration were present.

The conference dealt with a wide variety of subjects concerning religious issues. After a very open introductory speech by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, specific issues were discussed in different sections, chaired in turns by the main participants. Among the topics raised was a resolution, how to provide proper religious education in the various monasteries. There were also extended discussions on precise and appropriate rules for the recognition of reincarnations of Tulkus (sprul sku). The participants agreed that regarding the future reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas, regulations should take into account the wish of the Tibetan people. In an interview for the German magazine Der Spiegel, in which the Dalai Lama communicated the discussions with the other spiritual leaders during this meeting, he admitted that he even pondered the idea of a referendum. Everything is possible, he said, from a conclave like in the Catholic Church, to a woman as his successor, or no Dalai Lama at all. The conference participants also agreed that it is necessary to collect further opinions for advancing spiritual development.

Discussions were also held on the present situation in Tibet and on the responsibility and importance of spiritual guidance, especially in such times of turmoil. His Holiness the Dalai Lama stressed the importance of proper knowledge of Tibetan history, in order to better understand the long lasting problems between Tibet and China. In this respect he sought the advice of Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, since he regards him as an authority on Tibetan history.

On Saturday, May 3^rd the Dalai Lama, along with the spiritual leaders presided over a special prayer congregation, in remembrance of the Tibetan victims of the recent protests in Tibet, at the Tsuglagkhang (main temple) in Dharamsala. Thousands of people, including officials of the Central Tibetan Administration, Tibetan monastic community, general public and Buddhists devotees from different countries joined the prayer session.

In conclusion all the religious heads came to visit the Dalai Lama’s palace. The above picture was taken in front of the Dalai Lama’s sitting room and shows (from left): H.H. Lungtok Tenpa’i Nyima, H.H. Sakya Trizin, H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. the Karmapa, H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang.