Photo: dalailama.com
His Holiness the Dalai Lama participated in a full schedule of events and teachings during his recent visit to Zanskar, Kargil, the Nubra Valley and Mulbekh in Ladakh, despite the purpose of the visit being to rest in Ladhak during the peak monsoon season in Dharamshala. His Holiness arrived in Ladakh on July 3 and stayed until August 3.
Speaking of his busy schedule, His Holiness said that this could shorten his life, for his body is only flesh and bone. However, he also shared his satisfaction at being able to make a small contribution to the Dharma, bringing the two communities closer and the welfare of all beings. He said he was pleased that he had been able to give some teachings where his audience was joined by people from the Muslim communities and that he particularly appreciated their attendance.
On August 2, His Holiness was invited to Eliezer Joldan Memorial College, a government degree college founded in 1994, where he addressed a gathering of 1,500 students and college staff, saying, “The most important thing for us to remember is that the seven billion human beings alive today are all the same in being human. We are mentally, physically and emotionally the same. I emphasise this to counter the way we so often pay much attention to secondary differences of nationality, religious faith, race and so forth”.
His Holiness at Chushot Yokma Imam Barga Mosque near Choglamsar, Leh
Photo: dalaialama.com
Following the event at the college, His Holiness was invited to Chushot Yokma Village and the Imam Barga Mosque where he was welcomed for a lunch and joined in a brief prayer with his hosts while entering the mosque. When addressing the gathering His Holiness started by addressing his fellow devotees as brothers and sisters and said, “I am looking forward to hearing more of your plans for a conference of Muslim leaders this winter. I hope you may be able to invite representatives from other countries too. But right now I’m looking forward to eating lunch with you”.
The previous day, His Holiness was invited to Tibetan Children’s Village Schol in Choglamsar, Leh where reports were presented about Sonamling Tibetan Settlement and their recent developments at the school there, especially on the establishment of a care unit for children with special needs. His Holiness addressed the gathering, paying homage to Avalokiteshvara and then went on to speak of the historical relationship between Tibet, India and Nepal during the time of King Songtsen Gampo. He also spoke of the introduction of the Nalanda tradition to Tibet during King Trisong Detsen’s time, through Shantarakshita’s invitation to Tibet from India.
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