Thousands attend the Dalai Lama’s teachings at Chime Gatsal Ling

Sidhbari, HP, India, 4 April 2012 (By Tendar Tsering, phayul.com) - Thousands of devotees, including new arrivals from Tibet and foreigners, are attending a three-day teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Chime Gatsal Ling Monastery in Sidhbari, near Dharamshala.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting many of the thousands that came to listen to his teachings Chime Gatsal Ling in Sidhbari, HP, India, on April 4, 2012. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL

The Dalai Lama is conferring the Kagyae Initiations at the request of H.E. Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche.

Speaking at the beginning of the teachings, the 76-year old Tibetan spiritual leader reiterated that his decision to devolve his political authorities to the elected Tibetan leadership last year is for the benefit of the Tibetan people in the long run.

“The situation prior to 300 years is different from now,” the Dalai Lama said. “This is the 21st century and the age of the people, the public.”

In his message to the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile in March last year, the Dalai Lama had made clear that his intention to devolve political authority is “solely for the benefit of the Tibetan people in the long run.”

“No system of governance can ensure stability and progress if it depends solely on one person without the support and participation of the people in the political process,” His Holiness had said. “One man rule is both anachronistic and undesirable. We have made great efforts to strengthen our democratic institutions to serve the long-term interests of the six million Tibetans, not out of a wish to copy others, but because democracy is the most representative system of governance.”

According to the organisers, a special prayer session for the Tibetans who have lost their lives in the ongoing wave of self-immolations and mass protests in Tibet will also be organised along with the teachings.

Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche Jamyang Dondrub, a highly respected teacher and master and a former civil servant of the Tibetan exile administration established the Chime Gatsal Ling, in 1991 in Mcleod Ganj.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama formally inaugurated and consecrated the new monastery in April 2010.

On Friday, the last day of the teachings, a long-life offering ceremony for the Dalai Lama will be held.

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