His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama graced the launch of a Nalanda Studies Chair at Goa University on December 11. He spoke about the 3,000 year old Indian traditions of ahimsa, karuna, shamatha and vipashyana, adding that it would be very good if these aspects of ancient Indian wisdom could be combined with modern education. His Holiness said, “Modern education is good for securing material development, but ancient Indian wisdom is about the mind. We Tibetans have kept it alive in theory and practice, not only the religious content, but the psychological and philosophical aspects too. These deserve academic scrutiny, and Goa University is interested in this.”
On December 12 His Holiness arrived at Drepung Lachi Monastery, Mundgod Tibetan settlement, South India.
His Holiness always emphasises the importance of reasoning and logic. In this regard he said, “My intention, while I’m here, is to witness your debates. I’d like you to debate solely on the basis of reason and logic, without relying on scriptural citation, which has the effect of diluting the argument. I look forward to hearing you debate the Middle Way View and the Perfection of Wisdom and logic.” On December 14, His Holiness inaugurated the new courtyard of Drepung Gomang Monastery and attended a ceremony celebrating the marking of the six-year implementation phase of the Emory Tibetan Science Initiative.
On December 16 – 17 His Holiness conferred the long life empowerment and attended the symposium Aryadeva’s 400 Stanzas on the Middle Way at Drepung Loseling. On December 20, He lit a lamp before images of the Buddha to inaugurate an international conference, Je Tsongkhapa, the prominent Buddhist teacher who established the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism: Life, Thought and Legacy, in Gaden Lachi Assembly hall. The following day he attended an event to celebrate the anniversary of Je Tsongkhapa’s Parinivana.
A long life prayer offering for His Holiness was organised by several monasteries and held at Gaden Jangtse Monastery on December 22. His Holiness reassured those present that he expects to live to over 113 years saying, “Just as I cultivate an altruistic intention, I’ve had dreams about living long. In one dream I was climbing steps, 13 steps, which I interpreted to relate to the prediction that I could live to the age of 113. Dalai Lamas have had close relations with Palden Lhamo. I had a dream in which she told me I’d live to be 110. Meanwhile, Trulshik Rinpoché requested me to live as long as Thangtong Gyalpo. He is said to have lived until he was 125; may I do so too.” The audiences clapped their hands in joy on this note.
His Holiness’s visit concluded with a ceremony to award degrees to the 298 Lharampa Geshés who graduated in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The Ganden Throne holder presented each one with his certificate, following which they gathered in groups around His Holiness to have their photograph taken with him.
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