His Holiness attends founding anniversary of Buddhist School in Jammu (Updated with photos)[Saturday, 5 June 2010, 4:51 p.m.]
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama (c), J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (3rd L), cabinet members and MLAs during the 15th foundation anniversary of the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural School in Jammu and Kashmir on 5 June 2010/Photos by Jigme Tsering/TIbetNet |
Gulabgarh, J&K His
Holiness the Dalai Lama this morning presided over the 15th founding
anniversary of the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural School in Gulabgarh, a
remote hamlet located 62 km from Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir.Chief
Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Mr. Omar Abdullah attended the ceremony
with His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the invitation of the Himalayan
Buddhist Cultural Association. Around 18,000 people, including
local Himalayan Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims, accorded grand welcome
to His Holiness on his first-ever visit to the region. Lauding
inter-religious harmony in Indian and its millennia old non-violent
ideals, His Holiness emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and
harmony among different faiths in the community.His Holiness
the Dalai Lama encouraged the students to enhance their interest in
studying Buddha’s teachings and their commentaries contained in Kagyur and Tengyur which are well preserved by the Tibetan people.
common aim to mitigate negative human emotions and to instil positive
qualities of love and compassion, His Holiness said. “ So I respect all
religious traditions even though I am a Buddhist,” he added.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks to an exclusive gathering of Himalayan Buddhists at Gulabgarh on 6 June 2010. His Holiness underlined the importance of upholding one’s ancestral Buddhist religion and advised students to learn Tibetan language in order to study Tibetan Buddhism. His Holiness told the school administration to make efforts to get qualified Tibetan teachers. His Holiness offered a total grant of total 15 lakh rupees for three years for the region’s educational development. |
beautiful place with green forest and snow-capped mountains around it,
His Holiness said the people living in the region should be not only
physically graceful but also beautiful from inside. His Holiness told the youngsters of the region to take more interest in studying their ancestral tradition and religion.His
Holiness expressed his happiness in meeting with Mr Omar Abdullah as he
recounted his close relation for His Holiness with his father and Dr.
Farooq Abdullah and grandfather Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.Mr
Omar Abdullah said he also felt very happy to meet His Holiness the
Dalai Lama for the second time. He expressed hope that people in the
region will embrace His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s positive qualities.
His Holiness led prayers for global peace. His
Holiness is conferring long-life initiation to the people this
afternoon and will participate in an interfaith dialogue on Sunday
morning.
