Bodh Gaya: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama began the first of the three-day empowerments on the Wheel of Teachings on Manjushri (Tib: Jamyang Choekor) at Bodh Gaya this morning.
Along with the spiritual heads of Tibetan Buddhist schools and monastics, the President of Central Tibetan Administration, Kalon of Department of Religion and Culture, Heads of the autonomous bodies, Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and officials of Central Tibetan Administration were in attendance.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama explained that the particular empowerment was a profound unique tradition of the Gelug school.
“Lama Umapa Pawo Dorje was the first to receive this teaching. Lama Umapa Pawo Dorje was a shepherd from a poor family. Once while he was grazing animals, he fainted and woke up to the vision of Manjushri.
“After that he had visions of Manjushri on a daily basis. So this cycle of Manjushri teaching came through him. This lineage was then passed to Master Tsongkhapa and later carried down through many great masters.”
His Holiness will continue to bestow the Manjushri empowerment for the next two days.
On 31 December, the Central Tibetan Administration will offer long life prayers (Tib: Tenshug) to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Through the ceremonial long life prayer offering, CTA, on behalf of Tibetans inside Tibet and exile, will pray for the long and healthy life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for the pacification of all obstacles of his 84th year.