I, the Dalai Lama, the most omniscient possessor of the Buddhist faith, whose title was conferred by the Buddha on the sacred soil of India, do hereby proclaim the following to you:
I speak to the people of Tibet, of every rank and station. The Buddha who came from India once prophesied that the reincarnations of Avalokiteshvara, from the early religious kings down to the successive rulers of the present day, would forever watch over the welfare of Tibet.
During the times of Genghis Khan and Altan Khan of Mongolia, and of the Ming and Manchu Qing dynasties of China, Tibet and China cooperated on the basis of a patron-and-priest relationship. Some years ago, the Chinese authorities in Sichuan and Yunnan attempted to colonize our territory. Under the pretext of safeguarding order in the trade markets, they brought large numbers of troops into central Tibet. I therefore left Lhasa together with my ministers for the Indo-Tibetan border, hoping to clarify by telegraph to the Manchu emperor that the existing relationship between Tibet and China was one of patron and priest, not one in which either side was subordinate to the other. I had no choice but to cross the border, since Chinese troops were in close pursuit, intent on capturing me alive or killing me.
As soon as I arrived in India, I sent several telegrams to the emperor; but the response to my requests was delayed by corrupt officials in Beijing. Meanwhile, the Manchu empire collapsed. The Tibetan people, encouraged by this, drove the Chinese out of central Tibet. I too returned safely to my rightful and sacred country, and I am now in the process of driving the remnants of the Chinese army out of Dokham in eastern Tibet. China's intention to colonize Tibet through a patron-priest relationship has now vanished like a rainbow in the sky. We have once again entered a period of happiness and peace, and I now assign to all of you the following duties, which must be carried out without the slightest negligence:
1. It is only by upholding the Buddhist faith that peace and happiness can be preserved in this world. All Buddhist institutions within Tibet must therefore be maintained — including the Jokhang and Ramoche temples of Lhasa, Samye and Tradruk monasteries in southern Tibet, and the three great monasteries, among others.
2. Each of Tibet's Buddhist sects should preserve its own distinct and pure character. The Dharma must be taught, studied, and practiced in the correct manner. Except for designated personnel, monastic administrators shall not engage in trade, moneylending, the buying or selling of livestock of any kind, or the subjugation of other people's subjects.
3. The civil and military officials of the Tibetan government, when collecting taxes or dealing with our own people, should conduct their affairs fairly and impartially, so as to serve the government without harming the interests of our own people. Certain officials of the central government in Ngari Khorsum in western Tibet and in Dokham in the east have forced our own people to purchase goods at inflated prices and have imposed transport obligations beyond the limits permitted by the government. They have confiscated the houses, property, and land of our own people on the pretext of minor infractions, and have even imposed the punishment of severing the limbs of our own people. Such severe punishments shall henceforth be prohibited.
4. Tibet is a country rich in natural resources, but our science and technology are not as advanced as those of other nations. We are a small country, a religious country, an independent country. In order to keep pace with the rest of the world, we must defend our nation. In light of past foreign invasions, our people may have to face certain difficulties, but they must not let these difficulties deter them. In order to preserve and safeguard our nation's independence, everyone should voluntarily work hard. Our subjects living near the borders should remain vigilant and report any suspicious developments to the government. Our subjects must not allow minor matters to spark major conflict between the two nations.
5. Tibet has a vast expanse of land but a sparse population. Some local officials and landowners, though they themselves do not develop the vacant land they hold, maliciously obstruct others from developing it. Anyone harboring such intentions is an enemy of the nation and of our progress. From now on, no one shall obstruct anyone else from cultivating any available vacant land. Land tax shall not be levied until three years have passed; thereafter, those who cultivate the land must pay taxes annually to the government and to the landowners in proportion to rent. The land shall belong to those who cultivate it.
When you have carried out everything I have set forth here, you will have fulfilled your duty to the government and to the people. This letter must be posted and publicly proclaimed in every district of Tibet, and a copy must be kept on file in every district office.
Issued from the Potala Palace.