His Holiness the Dalai Lama Underlines Study and Preservation of BuddhismMonday, 13 July 2009, 10:40 a.m.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama performs the blessing ceremony at the monastery’s entrance, photo: Wasfia Nazreen, July 9, 2009 |
Kaza: His Holiness the Dalai Lama
on Friday (10 July) emphasised the need to strengthen the study and
preservation of Buddhism, which His Holiness said is survived in its
complete form in Tibet and Himalayan regions.The people of
Himalayan region should study Buddhism and make efforts to preserve
this unique religion, His Holiness the Dalai Lama told thousands of
devotees a day before a three-day preliminary Buddhist sermon at Kaza
in Spiti valley.His Holiness gave preliminary teachings on text
entitled “Shenpa She Dral gyi Damngyak” which was interpreted by Sakya
Dakpa Gyaltsen upon the prophecy which Sakya Kunga Nyingpo (1092-1158)
had received from Manjushree, the Buddha of compassion.The
teaching was attended by many dignitaries like Phuntsok Rai, Raghuvir
singh, former MLA, Zongsar Khen Rinpoche and member of Tibetan
Parliament from Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, Abbots from Zongsar
Institute, Sakya College and Sakya monastery and representatives from
Ngor Gonpa and Sakya Phodang.People from Tabo, Dhankar,
Kyibbar, Kyi, Pangmo, Hansa and Losar flocked here to attend the
teaching and to have a glimpse of His Holiness. More than 15, 000
people gathered here for this three-day teaching at Kaza, which
includes couple of hundred foreign devotees. Later in the
evening, a seminar was held on Historical Contribution of Sakya Pandita
on India-Tibet Religion and Culture, which was jointly organised by
Sakya Tenggyu Monastery and Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association,
Delhi. Historians, writers and columnists joined from different
interiors of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh to debate present their views
of Sakya Pandita and his role in the subject. The seminar was held
within the teaching complex. Earlier on 9 July, His Holiness the Dalai
Lama arrived at Kaza heliped for a five-day visit to Kaza, Tabo and
Dangkar Monastery. On landing at the heliped, His Holiness was received
by many eminent personalities and dignitaries like Khangsar Ngawang
Khentse Tenzin Trinlay Rinpoche, Lochen Tulku, Serkong Rinpoche,
Gyalong Rinpoche, Dr. Ramlal Markhanda MLA and Mr. Chhemed Bodh;
Liaison Officer for Organizing Committee.
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| Devotees from various regions in and around Spiti valley in Himachal Pradesh listen to His Holiness the Dalai Lama during a sermon at Kaza on 10 July 2009/Tibet Museum |
Soon after his
arrival, His Holiness inaugurated the newly constructed Khangsar
Monastery. During the inaugural speech, His Holiness said, with the
openings of such monastery the monks must now focus upon the enrichment
of knowledge upon Buddha Dharma. More important than this, the
opportunities of education and schooling must be given importance and
only then, the development will take place in this area, His Holiness
added.His Holiness also emphasized that it is important for the
people of the Himalayan belt must engage themselves in organising
seminars, debates and knowledge enriching opportunities so that they
could truly realize the values of Buddhist values. Following the address by His Holiness, local artists of Spiti and Kinnaur presented colourful cultural dances and songs.
