Manali: At the request of the Local Ghoton Organising Committee and Von Ngari Monastery, and as part of the Year of Compassion celebrations, the 13th Kyabje Kundeling Tatsak Jedrung Rinpoche bestowed religious teachings and empowerments upon local devotees and members of the Tibetan community in Manali on the full-moon day of the fourth Tibetan month, Saga Dawa, which fell on 15 June 2026.

Before a gathering of devotees in the courtyard of the Himalaya Nyingmapa Buddhist Temple, Kyabje Kundeling Rinpoche conferred the transmission of Avalokiteshvara Guru Yoga and the long-life empowerment of White Tara.

During the programme, the Chairman of the Local Ghoton Organising Committee presented a mandala and the three auspicious representations of the Buddha on behalf of the congregation as an expression of gratitude to Rinpoche.

In his teaching, Rinpoche explained that the text Avalokiteshvara Guru Yoga was composed by His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama. He noted that its central theme is the practice of guru yoga through the understanding of Avalokiteshvara and His Holiness as inseparable in essence. Rinpoche further explained that both the extended and condensed versions of the text were composed prior to 1959 in response to repeated requests from devoted disciples.

The purpose of the practice, Rinpoche said, is to cultivate extraordinary love and compassion, from which bodhichitta may arise and take firm root in our minds, enabling practitioners to work for the enlightenment of all sentient beings. It is for this reason that the practice presents Avalokiteshvara and the Dalai Lama as inseparable in essence.

Following the empowerment, Rinpoche addressed the gathering on the importance of preserving, sustaining, and promoting Tibet’s unique religion, language, and culture, particularly among Tibetans. He observed that the work long carried out by His Holiness the Dalai Lama has, in today’s troubled and conflict-ridden world, become akin to a universal remedy.

Rinpoche further remarked that while organising programmes throughout Tibetan settlements to commemorate the Year of Compassion in conjunction with His Holiness’s birthday is itself a cause for his long life, what is even more important is to put his teachings and guidance into sincere and genuine practice. Such practice, Rinpoche said, constitutes the true offering and serves as the real foundation for His Holiness’s long life.

Rinpoche then delivered extensive teachings on the principles to be adopted and the actions to be avoided in daily conduct and spiritual practice, leaving a deep and lasting impression on the monastic and lay audience alike.

Approximately one thousand devotees attended the event, including Tibetans, members of Himalayan communities, and visitors from various countries. During a special audience following the programme, the Local Ghoton Organising Committee presented a commemorative gift to Rinpoche as a token of gratitude.