Jetsun Pemal offering khatak to His Holiness
Photo: OHHDL
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet was offered Tenshug, thelong life prayer offering, by the representatives of Tibetan Children’s Village School (TCV) globalalumni and the North American Tibetan Association. The ceremony took place in Tsuglakhang, the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala on October 26. Over five thousand people gathered in the temple courtyard, including 700 TCV alumni and 150 members of the North American Tibetan Association along, with hundreds of current TCV school students.
The long life prayer ceremony was led by Ling Rinpoche in the presence other lamas, including Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, Kirti Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku and Thomtog Rinpoche, the Abbot of Namgyal Monastery, together with other monks from Namgyal Monastery.
As the ceremony began, Ling Rinpoche recited the tribute and request to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Rinpoche started with a narration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s life story, highlighting the achievements and contributions His Holiness has made to both the history of Tibetan movement and across the world as a Dharma teacher.
Ling Rinpoche concluded by saying that His Holiness has dedicated his life to the welfare of all sentient beings, guided by the four commitments: promoting human values;encouraging inter-religious harmony;His Holiness’s role as Tibetan spokesperson, raising awareness to keep the Tibetan culture alive and to protect Tibet’s natural environment and, fourthly,to reviving interest in ancient Indian knowledge.
Photo : OHHDL
“We cannot fully repay the kindness you have shown us Tibetans and sentient beings as a whole. However, as a token of our gratitude we are conducting this ceremony involving different kinds of offerings and fervent prayers to request you to live long. Your life is of utmost importance to Tibetans; it is indispensable to the benefit of all sentient beings. We pray you will continue to show concern for all sentient beings, especially the people of Tibet,” said Rinpoche.
Following the prayer ceremony, His Holiness addressed the gathering, acknowledging the wishes and prayers of those living inside Tibet and across the world by saying “Tibetans in exile, young and old, have offered this prayer for my long life. And although they are not physically here with us, they are joined by several million Tibetans in Tibet who show whole-hearted faith and regard for me. There may even have been people elsewhere around the world who have heard that this ceremony was taking place”.
His Holiness once again said that he will remain here for another two decades for the sake of Tibetans and the cause of Tibet.
His Holiness advised his devotees to develop bodhichitta – awakening of mind with wisdom and compassion for all sentient beings – saying “I meditate on bodhichitta and emptiness every day as a result of which I feel at ease in my mind and I’m physically fit. Bodhichitta is my principal practice. It brings me inner strength, free from anxiety and fear. I urge all of you too to work hard to develop bodhichitta, confident that you’ve been blessed by Avalokiteshvara.
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