Sakya Trizin Rinpoche presenting offerings to HH the Dalai Lama during the Long Life Offering Ceremony
Photo: Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Saturday January 14 marked the end of the 34th Kalachakra initiation, performed in Bodh Gaya by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. During the days of teaching, His Holiness spread messages of hope to his devotees, declaring that “there will be change in Tibet”. This was not the only change he hoped for, pointing also to the importance of self-development. Speaking to the crowd, he announced that the purpose of the Kalachakra initiation is to “Make a profound transformation within the self… even though you are returning in the same body, your mind should be transformed”.
Over the three days of the Kalachakra teachings he covered a wide array of topics, with the first day focused on the need to cultivate a bodhichitta motivation. He suggested that Tibetan Buddhists use dream yoga or lucid dreaming in order to access the subtler states of their mind. On the second day, he gave the seven empowerments, before concluding on the third day with a call to action: “While sitting comfortable on your cushion it is easy to say, ‘May all beings be free from suffering’, but you will only make a difference if you actually do something for them”.
Sakya Trizin, Gyalwang Karmapa and Taklung Shabdrung during the Long Life Offering Ceremony
Photo: Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
The former and current Gaden Tripa during the Long Life Offering Ceremony
Photo: Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Discussing his age, His Holiness claimed he would live for more than 100 years, although refuted the idea that he could live for thousands. “You are making this Long Life Offering to me and praying ‘May you live 10,000 years’, but we know that’s not possible” he told his devotees. He joked that “the people who are offering the Tenshug (long life offering) really do not comprehend when they say I live for millions of years because then the world would come to a natural end and I will be the last man on earth”. However, he did say that he had dreamt he could live to be 113. “Be happy, be at ease”, he concluded, drawing a huge applause from the audience.
Nechung Oracle being led onto the stage during the Long Life Offering Ceremony
Photo: Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
The event, which was termed an “unmitigated success” by the Government-in-Exile on their website Tibet.net, wound down on Saturday. The day opened with a powerful message from His Holiness which drew attention to the “kindness and warm-heartedness” of Tibetans. “We must… continue expressing these values for the people of the world”, he proclaimed.
HH the Dalai Lama thanking Richard Gere for his address at the Closing Ceremony of the 34th Kalachakra
Photo: Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
At the closing ceremony, Hollywood actor and long-term Tibet supporter Richard Gere delivered a speech to a packed crowd of 200,000, reaffirming his support for the Tibetan struggle. The Dalai Lama thanked all involved, including the Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Nitish Kumar, who used his personal initiative – and money – to help organise the event. The Prime Minsiter of the Tibetan Government-in-exile, Lobsang Sangay, praised what he called the “best organised Kalachakra to date”.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama has written to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his government to thank them for their support throughout the Kalachakra initiation, saying “I am writing to convey my deep gratitude to you and to your government for the personal attention and generous assistance in providing the necessary infrastructure and facilities for the two-week Kalachakra empowerment”. His Holiness said the Kalachakra was a “tremendous success”, adding, “The organisational support, including the extensive and thorough security arrangements, contributed to the efficient and smooth running of this large event”.
His Holiness also praised Nitish Kumar for his decision to transform Bihar into a dry state by banning liquor.
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