His Holiness the Dalai Lama visits the Buddhists temples in Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya, 8 January 2003: His Holiness the Dalai Lama today went on a pilgrimage in Bodh Gaya. His Holiness visited the Japanese, Thai, Taiwanese, Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhist temples, and the Grand Buddha Statue here at 2 in the afternoon. His Holiness was warmly received by the abbot, incharge, monks and nuns of these temples. His Holiness sat for a prayer in each of these temples for about 5-10 minutes. His Holiness also consecrated a new Vietnamese temple. His Holiness had visited these temples several times in the past.
Earlier this morning at 8 a.m., the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee left for Sarnath as per the set programme. Gyalwa Karmapa Rinpoche will be returning to Bodh Gaya on January 14th to attend the Kalachakra Initiation.
As of today, about a hundred thousand devotees have arrived in Bodh Gaya, and hundreds of devotees continue to arrive here everyday. About 1,300 devotees are from Tibet, which includes 52 monks and nuns. More than five hundred more devotees are still expected to arrive from Tibet through Nepal. The Tibetan Reception Centre and the Kalachakra organiser have made special arrangements for their accommodation. The Reception Centre also provides breakfast and dinner to them within their premises. Over 600 foreigners have registered for the Kalachakra as of today.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will perform Bhumi puja (the Earth Ritual prayers) at the Kalachakra Maidan tomorrow at 7 a.m.
Tight security for His Holiness the Dalai Lama is in place and the district administration is monitoring the security arrangements every now and then. Prayer meetings and other programmes continue to be held here in a very peaceful atmosphere.
Contact: Sonam N. Dagpo, Additional Secretary
Masood Butt, Press Coordinator
Department of Information & International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala, India
Camped at: Mahayana Guest House, Bodh Gaya
Tel: +91-631-2200675, 2200756
Fax: +91-631-2200676
E-mail: [email protected]