His Holiness Inaugurates Dhakpo Shedrup Ling Monastery
Dharamshala 12 May 2005: His Holiness the Dalai Lama thanked the union government of India and the Himachal Pradesh government for facilitating the Tibetans in preserving their religion and culture. His Holiness the Dalai Lama was speaking at the inaugural function of the Dhakpo Shedrup Ling monastery yesterday. His Holiness blessed the monastery in Kais village near Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. His Holiness inaugurated the Buddhist monastery which was earlier in Mainpat Tibetan settlement.
His Holiness also said that it is important for everyone to promote inter-religious harmony and basic human values.
His Holiness was honoured with the title of the abbot of the monastery at a religious ceremony in the monastery’s assembly hall. The inaugural event was attended by members of Dhakpo Shedrup Ling centre in Paris, Tibetans and Indian Buddhists from Manali, Kullu and other areas.
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Raja Vir Bhadra Singh, the chief guest for the inaugural function, arrived in the afternoon and joined His Holiness in a luncheon reception hosted in their honour by the monastery.
The function began with the lighting of lamps by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the chief minister. The chief minister said that it is a blessing for the people of Kullu to have His Holiness with them. Also present on the occasion were Smt. Vidhya Stokes, minister for power, Shri Raj Kishan Gaur, minister for agriculture and Kalon Lobsang Nyima, Kalon for religion of the Central Tibetan Administration.
In his welcome address, Dhakpo Rinpoche expressed his gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for gracing the occasion and thanked the sponsors of the monastery. He also told a brief history of the monastery.
Kalon Lobsang Nyima expressed the Kashag’s appreciation for Dhakpo Rinpche’s efforts in building the monastery and giving religious education to the monks. He also said that the monks should study hard and hold high the religious vows.
His Holiness today began teaching on Dhakpo Ngawang Dakpa’s Lamrim Legsung Nyingkhu (Drops of Elegant Teachings on the Stages of Path), one of the eight major explanatory texts on Lamrim (Stages of Path). There will also be an Avalokiteshvara initiation by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and a long life offering ceremony (Tenzhug ) in the honour of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 14 May.