-sourced by dalailama.com

Bylakuppe, Karnataka: Today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was to give a Long-Life Empowerment based on White Tara, the Wish-fulfilling Wheel entitled ‘A Stream of Nectar of Immortality’ in the debate yard of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. The ritual was composed by Takdak Rinpoché, Ngawang Sungrab Thutop, who was His Holiness’s Regent and Tutor.

Monks and nuns filled the temple, while more monks, nuns and lay-people sat in the debate yard under a huge awning. An estimated 25000 people gathered to receive the empowerment, with many Tibetans coming from other settlements in Karnataka. His Holiness rode in a golf cart down from the temple and walked to the throne. Once he was seated, the prayer of the ‘Three Continuums’ was recited, tea, bread and ceremonial sweet rice were distributed, and verses to offer and bless them were said. Addressing the assembly His Holiness recalled that Palden Lhamo had told him in a dream that he could live to be 110 years old. He also recounted an occasion not long ago when he was taking part in a meeting at the Thai Temple in Bodhgaya. His Holiness said that he had a clear vision of the Buddha before him and that the Buddha seemed to be pleased with him.

“The Buddha Dharma has spread around the world, reaching places that historically had no previous connection with Buddhism. I feel I have made some contribution to this. In the early part of my life, I was able to study with my Tutors and as a result I have been equipped to make my life meaningful.

“In due course, the situation in Tibet prompted me to escape and come into exile in India. Since then, the name Dalai Lama has become well-known around the world. I feel happy to have been able to practise the Vinaya, a monk’s discipline, as well as having been able to engage in the study of both Sutra and Tantra.

“As soon as I wake up in the morning, I meditate on the awakening mind of bodhichitta and the view of emptiness. I’ve done this every day, trying to live the life of a spiritual person. I have made many friends among people who were not necessarily interested in Buddhism.

“So, I spent my younger years in Tibet and then came into exile, which is where I have lived most of my life. As I’ve already said, indications in my dreams suggest that I will live to be 110 or so.” Applause rippled through the audience.

“I came from Siling in Amdo, where people are quite sharp. I have befriended the teaching of the Buddha which has made my life worthwhile.

“Today, I’m going to give the White Tara Long Life Empowerment. First of all, I need to undertake certain preparatory practices. While I do that, please recite Tara’s mantra together.”

Resuming his address to the crowd, His Holiness advised:

“Having found this precious human life, we have to make it meaningful. To do so, we require the complete teaching of the Buddha and to be able to engage in the Three Trainings—ethics, concentration and wisdom. If we are to do that well, we need to have a long life. And we can prolong our lives by relying on a deity like Arya Tara, who has vowed to take care of those who follow the Kadam Tradition.

“All the four tantras are to be practised in the context of bodhichitta, so first of all you have to take the Bodhisattva vow. Without a bodhichitta motivation tantric practice could be misdirected. Whatever tantric practice you do, it must be founded on bodhichitta, the altruistic wish to be of benefit to others. This is the approach I take. Right from the moment I wake up, I generate bodhichitta. Even at the end of the day, I never forget bodhichitta. I go to sleep with mindfulness of bodhichitta. You think to yourself that you will engage in whatever practices you do for the benefit of all sentient beings. In this way you live your life in the service of others.”

His Holiness led the assembly through the verses for generating bodhichitta and taking the Bodhisattva vows. He then proceeded to go through the stages of the empowerment, advising the disciples to imagine themselves dissolving into emptiness. From that, they imagined arising in the form of White Tara.

“As I’ve already mentioned, every morning when I wake I meditate on bodhichitta and the view of emptiness. In my daily life I try to direct my mind towards these two practices that are also known as method and wisdom. Imbued with these two practices on a daily basis, through the days, weeks, months and years of my life I familiarise my mind with bodhichitta and emptiness. It’s not just a matter of reciting verses and prayers, but of making these principals the very core of my practice. In this way we can make our lives meaningful.”

When the empowerment was complete, His Holiness encouraged the disciples to feel delighted. He advised them from now on to take White Tara, the Wish-fulfilling Wheel to be their tutelary deity.

The congregation offered a thanksgiving mandala and the occasion was brought to an end with a recitation of the ‘Prayer of the Words of Truth’ and a series of dedication prayers. Smiling and waving to members of the congregation as he rode in a golf-cart through the debate yard and up to the temple veranda, His Holiness returned to his rooms.