Tibetans Offer Special Long Life Prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama
[Sunday, 24 January 2010, 12:35 p.m.]
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama reads from a scripture during the special long life prayer ceremony at Tsuglagkhang, the main Buddhist temple in Dharamsala, India, on 23 January 2010Photos/Sangay Kyap/TibetNet |
Dharamshala: The Central Tibetan Administration and general Tibetan populace entreated His Holiness the Dalai Lama to live long by offering special long life prayers at Tsuglagkhang, the main Buddhist temple in Dharamsala yesterday morning. Thousands of Tibetans gathered at the temple to join the special prayer ceremony.
Senior officials from the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, the Kashag, three autonomous bodies and officials from all the departments and offices attended the ceremony.
Kyabje Tsetrul Rinpoche, head of the Nyingma Monastery at Shimla, led the prayers for long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
After the prayer ceremony, His Holiness attended colourful cultural song and dance performances by Tibetans.
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| Tibetans wait for their turn to present auspicious offerings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama |
In his brief address, His Holiness expressed his deep concern that Tibet’s unique culture, religion and identity is under passing through a critical stage.
Therefore, it is wrong to forget and spend your time only to earn livelihood, instead you all must direct your attention on the plight of Tibet and dedicate your efforts in the preservation of Tibet’s cultural heritage, His Holiness said.
Most importantly, it is the Tibetan people living inside, ranging from young and old, who are united in showing their sincerity and indomitable courage. So, Tibetans who are living in free countries, as representatives of their brethren living inside Tibet, must put concerted efforts in fulfilling our responsibilities, His Holiness added.
Describing Tibet as nation of rich cultural heritage since era of great Tibetan kings, His Holiness said the responsibilities to uphold it rest on the present generation, and encouraged the Tibetans to keep up their spirit of sincerity and courage.
Considering education as the present priority, His Holiness exhorted all sections of Tibetans, irrespective of monks or lay people, male or female, to strive in studying Tibet’s rich Buddhist cultural and religious traditions.
Speaking on modern education, His Holiness also underlined the need to achieve expertise in diverse field of studies. We should try our best in our endeavour to not waste the opportunity of living in the free world.
His Holiness thanked Tibetans living inside Tibet and expressed his appreciation for their renewed interest in learning their rich cultural and religious traditions.
More than ever before, Tibetans should study their rich cultural tradition and make the morals firmly ingrained in their personalities, His Holiness said. We should, therefore, not make our Buddhist traditions as mere objects of propitiation and devotion, but to study and analyse. The Tibetan culture and Buddhist religion have the immense potential to serve for the welfare of humanity, His Holiness added.
Related photos:
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| Senior officials from the Supreme Justice Commission, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and the Kashag, usher His Holiness the Dalai Lama (not seen in picture) to Tsuglagkhang, the main Buddhist temple, for the special long life prayer ceremony |
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama (c) proceeds towards Tsuglagkhang, the main Buddhist temple, to attend the special long life prayer ceremony |
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| Senior monastic and lay officials of the Central Tibetan Administration recites prayers during the Tenshug ceremony |
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama (C) addresses the gathering on the sidelines of special long life prayer ceremony |
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| Tibetan schoolchildren sing in front of His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a cultural performance |
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| Thousands of Tibetans gather at Tsuglagkhang, the main Buddhist temple, to join in long life prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama |
