DALHOUSIE: His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at Dalhousie today to grace the golden jubilee celebration of Central School for Tibetans, Dalhousie scheduled for 28-30 April. His Holiness was received at the government of India’s circuit house by the Tibetan settlement officer, CST principal and rector, heads of local NGOs and officials of the local Indian administration.

In the afternoon, His Holiness gave a public teaching on Ngulchu Gyalsey Thokmey Sangpo’s Thirty Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva ( TIB: Lak len So Dun ma) at the school’s football ground.  The teaching is attended by over a thousand people including former staff and students, present staff and students, the local Tibetan community as well as some Sherpa people.

His Holiness spoke about Tibetan Buddhism and the past 50 years of life in exile. His Holiness said when Tibetans first came into exile, the only thing familiar to us was the ground beneath our feet and the sky above our head.

 “No one expected at that time that we would remain in exile for more than 50 years. We were hopeful that we would return to our country after two or three years at the most,”  he said.

Speaking about Tibetan Buddhism, His Holiness said, the core principle of Tibetan Buddhism is non-violence and inter-dependence.  Tibetan Buddhism teaches us how to develop the heart and the mind, he said.

His Holiness also urged the importance of the Tibetan language to understand the core essence of Buddha´s teachings. He said, Lord Buddha´s teachings are available in many languages these days but these translated works often miss the subtle nuances of the teachings. Moreover, experts often use varying terms which further confuses the reader.

Initiating the teaching on the 37 practices of a Boddhisattva, His Holiness said he first received this teaching from Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen. After the teaching, His Holiness gave a long life empowerment to the public.

His Holiness will grace the golden jubilee function of the school in the morning.  In the afternoon, His Holiness will visit and address the staff and students of the Dalhousie Public School at their invitation. Sikyong and Education Kalon Dr Lobsang Sangay will also speak at the golden jubilee function.

There will be live webcast of the golden jubilee function on Tibetonline.tv at 09:00 am (IST).

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greets the public and school alumni before giving a short teaching as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the school at Dalhousie, India, on 27 April 2013/Photo/Sangjey Kyab