His Holiness opens the Festival
Photo: Phayul
Hundreds of devotees from Arunachal, Bhutan, Mustang and Nagaland thronged to the Kala Shetra ground in Guwahati to receive teaching and empowerment from His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the “Tibet Art and Culture” Festival which was held in Guwahati, in north-eastern state of Assam from February 2 – 6.
This festival was held in Guwahati for the first time and celebrated the unique culture and traditions of Tibetans living in Tibet and in exile. The festival was enhanced by Tibetan thanka paintings drawn by Tibetan artists, and by monks creating sand mandalas, butter sculptures and Tibetan wooden crafts. Participants were able to savour Tibetan cuisine, and enjoy a photo exhibition entitled “Tibet- a long look homeward” which displayed hundreds of rare photographs documenting Tibet. Documentary films were also screened during the five days and were followed by question and answer sessions.
A performer from TIPA at the Festival
Photo: Phayul
His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a short teaching on basic Buddhism and said that all the different sects of Tibetan Buddhism must come together, rather than isolating themselves by focussing on the minor differences in traditional practices. He said that a three volume book with excerpts from important parts of the Kangyur and Tengyur will shortly be published in different languages.
His Holiness was accompanied by Shri Pema Khandu, Minister of Tourism and the Rural Works Development, who said that Tibet is an inspiration to the Northeast people as Tibet’s culture and identities are not only surviving, but flourishing in different part of the world. Shri Tarun Gogoi, Chief Minister of Assam, who was also at the Festival, said that he was fortunate to be sitting next to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and he hoped that His Holiness’ message of peace and harmony will end the riots in his state.
Tibetan MP Karma Yeshi, a member of the festival organising committee, thanked the government and people of Assam for their support in hosting the festival in Guwahati. He also thanked Shri Pema Khandu for personally funding the festival.
Sikyong Lobsang Sangay at the Festival
Photo: Phayul
Tibetan Prime Minister in exile, Lobsang Sangay, spoke at the closing ceremony, saying that he hoped that visitors had got a glimpse of Tibet, its history, environment and political condition. The Festival concluded with cultural performances by artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, and Bollywood singer Amit Paul. After the teaching, His Holiness left for Shillong to address the Sixth Convocation of the Martin Luther Christian University.
Print
Email