Day 3 in Pictures: His Holiness meets Kalmykia Premier and Vietnamese Buddhists [Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday, 1 August 2009, 9:24 a.m.]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama (4 R) meets with prime minister of Kalmykia Republic (3rd R) and his family on the third day of his visit to Frankfurt, Germany, 1 August 2009. The prime minister briefed His Holiness about a Buddhist Institution in their country and requested His Holiness’ guidance/All photos by © Manuel Bauer, Agentur Focus 2009

After meeting with Kalmykia prime minister, His Holiness proceeded towards the teaching venue and conferred Amitabha Initiation. About 10,000 people attended the actual initiation which took place from 9.30 am – 11.30 am.

His Holiness explained his position on the worshipping of Dhogyal and the importance of practicing of pure Buddha dharma. His Holiness further emphasized that it was his responsibility to provide factual information regarding worshipping of Dhogyal.

During the lunch break His Holiness gave a short address to over 250 Vietnamese monks, nuns and lay people of the Pagoda Phat Hue, which is one of the three organizers of the teachings in Frankfurt. This was followed by a group audience for about 30 members of the German Buddhist Union, also one of the three organizers. During his talk, His Holiness emphasized the importance of investigation of Dharma before converting to Buddhism.

In the afternoon session from 2 pm to 4 pm, His Holiness gave the concluding teaching on ‘The Middle Stages of Meditation (Gomrim Barpa)’.

After the teaching His Holiness spontaneously said he would like to meet the severely disabled people attending the teaching. They were about 15 of them on wheel-chairs with their attendants and His Holiness spoke to each one of them individually.

—All photos by © Manuel Bauer, Agentur Focus 2009