Photo: VOT
His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a short teaching to more than a thousand people gathered in and around the courtyard of Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamahala, on March 18. The teaching from the Jataka Tales, was followed by the ceremony for Generating the Awakening Mind [Tib:Semkye] and was His Holiness’s first teaching to a live audience since before the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown two years ago.
His Holiness assured the public that he feels healthy and there is no need to worry. He requested everyone to be at ease and stay happy. “Initially I plan to go to Delhi to do a medical checkup. Though this was the initial plan, I don’t feel unhealthy. […] I decided not to go to Delhi today but to stay in Dharamshala and rest. […] This lama from Kumbum feels very healthy, therefore, everyone please be at ease and stay happy,” said His Holiness before starting the teaching.
His Holiness started the teaching by saying that Buddhas do not wash away or remove the sufferings of sentient beings with their hands, nor do they transfer their own realisation to others. But by helping sentient beings to deal with their sufferings and anxiety, showing the reality as it is from his own experience – which is showing the means to discipline the unruly mind. The teaching briefly covered Buddha’s teachings of The Four Noble Truths and the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra.
Tsuglakhang courtyard
His Holiness said that reflecting on the teachings of emptiness helps greatly in dealing with negative emotions, “It is our negative emotions; the mental afflictions or destructive emotions which cause us unhappiness so when you are able to decrease these destructive emotions such as attachment, anger, hatred,etc, naturally you will feel more at peace”.
The Tibetan spiritual leader also reminded his audience that, as Tibetans, we say that we are follower of Avalokiteshvara [Tib: Chenrezig] who is the deity of compassion, and that Tibetans have natural tendency towards love and compassion because of the blessing of Avalokiteshvara. Despite the difficulties faced by Tibetans because of the political situation, the nature of Chenrezig, love and compassion, can never be erased from Tibetans.
Speaking of Tibetans living in exile, His Holiness said that although we are not physically in Tibet, we are very much connected to Tibet by practising and preserving its religion and culture. He urged Tibetans,especially students, to study and preserve Tibetan religion and culture. “I am getting older but I will live at least ten more years,” he added.
During the past two years of the Covid19 pandemic His Holiness has taken part in online teachings and discussions only.
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