Photo : OHHDL
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was offered Tenshug, the long life prayer ceremony, by five Tibetan organisations from India, Nepal and Australia, in the packed courtyard of Tsuglakhang, the main temple in Dharamshala, on September 7.
Following the Tenshug prayer initiations led by many Rinpochés and abbots, His Holiness addressed the gathering saying, “I am familiar with the experience of the awakening mind of bodhichitta. I renew the wish expressed in this verse every day; as long as space endures, and as long as sentient beings remain, until then, may I too remain, to help dispel the misery of the world.” His Holiness continued, “I belong to the lineage of Dalai Lamas and have a strong link to the people of the Himalayan region. I was recently in Ladakh and I hope to make a visit to Mön Tawang again soon.”
His Holiness said that he has been able to serve Dharma and sentient beings and for this reason he is determined to live long so that he can continue with the service. He reaffirmed his belief that he can live for another 10 to 20 years.
Gaden Tri Rinpoche reading the eulogy
Photo: OHHDL
On behalf of everyone gathered to offer Tenshug, Ganden Tri Rinpoche, the spiritual leader of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, recited an eulogy and requested His Holiness to live long. “We pray that, like Thangtong Gyalpo, you may live to be 125 years old. We pray that we may be taken care of by you and pledge that we will abide by your instructions. Therefore, we make these offerings to you” said Gaden Tri Rinpoche who then offered a statue of White Tara, the 8,000 Verse Perfection of Wisdom Sutra and a stupa [Tib:chorten] to His Holiness. Other representatives then made offerings to His Holiness.
His Holiness spoke of the current difficult Covid situation inside Tibet and China and said that he will pray for them to relieve their suffering and alleviate the fear in their minds; he also reminded his audience to remember the people of East Turkestan [Ch: Xinjiang] with love and compassion.
Welcoming His Holiness to the temple
Photo: OHHDL
He concluded his addressing by saying, “I pray that we may continue to preserve and promote the teaching of the Buddha through study, reflection and meditation”.
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