Shewatsel, Leh, Ladakh, India - Today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove to the site of the demolished Jokhang Temple in Leh. Under bright morning sun, people from all walks of life lined the road to greet him. At the Jokhang site he was welcomed by the Presidents of the Ladakh Buddhist Association and Ladakh Gonpa Association and other dignitaries. He then blessed the site on which the temple is to be reconstructed.
After His Holiness had taken his seat members of the Reconstruction Committee reported to him that the old Temple had developed cracks due to flooding and heavy rain that could not be repaired. They showed him plans for the construction of a new temple. Hundreds of monastics and laypeople had gathered to witness the laying of the foundation stone and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque which read:
Laying the Foundation for Wisdom and Compassion
Reconstruction of the Chowkhang (Jokhang) Vihara, Leh, Ladakh
Beneath these two lines was written His Holiness’s long name—Jetsun Jampal Ngawang Lobsang Tenzin Gyatso—and today’s date.
His Holiness addressed the gathering:
“When I heard about the condition of the old Jokhang Temple, I thought that rebuilding it could provide unforeseen opportunities. Similarly, although Tibet was led for several centuries by members of the line of Dalai Lamas, it was only during my lifetime that we faced such devastation that we had to come into exile. This too provided unforeseen opportunities inasmuch as we have come to live in the land where Buddhism originated and where lived the Eight Indian Buddhist masters, such as Arya Nagarjuna, who were renowned as the ‘Six Ornaments and Two Sublime Ones.
“Today, we continue to maintain the time-tested and logically-proven Buddhist tradition that once spread in India. We have preserved this tradition through study, meditation and by applying it in our own lives. I don’t wish to boast, but as far as I’m concerned, previous Dalai Lamas served the Buddha’s teaching, and although I was born in Amdo, the northeastern region of Tibet, I moved to Lhasa where I could pursue my own Buddhist education in a traditional way. I was able to follow the triple process of study, reflection and meditation under the tutelage of my Tutors.
“Under their supervision I memorised the fundamental texts and studied their respective commentaries. At the same time, I was able to combine my studies with practice of the ‘Stages of the Path to Enlightenment’ (LamRim) and Mind Training (Lojong). I worked hard to integrate study with reflection and meditation.
“In the midst of the upheaval that took place in Tibet in 1959, I decided to flee Norbulingka and leave Lhasa. As we left, I thought about the Lhasa Jokhang and the images inside it. When we reached the pass out of the valley, I turned to take a last look at the city, praying that my departure would only be temporary and that I would be able to return again in the future.
“Since I left Lhasa there has been a steady increase in people around the world taking interest in Buddhism, particularly in Europe and America. I have been diligent in my efforts to serve them. Due to my karma and prayers made in the past I have been quite successful in contributing to the revival and preservation of the Buddha’s teachings, and I will continue to serve the Buddhadharma for many years to come. I pay homage to my Precious Tutor, Thupten Lungtok Namgyal Trinley—Ling Rinpoché—who principally educated me to understand the philosophical texts. I’m also grateful to my team of Debating Assistants with whom I learned to argue and reason.
“I have been able to introduce Buddhism to others even in my poor English. I’ve compared Buddhist understanding of the workings of our mind and emotions to modern scientific approaches to psychology and neuroscience. This is proving to be very beneficial. Indeed I have had good discussions with many scientists about human psychology.
“In short, I was born in Dhomey (Amdo), but grew up in Central Tibet. I received an education from my tutors and, after coming to India, continued to study texts about philosophy and meditation. In other words, I’ve done my best to share my understanding of Buddhism with others.
“The way we study classic Buddhist treatises is very good because it’s based on logical reasoning. Tantric rituals and the propitiation of Dharma Protectors using drums and cymbals may be very helpful, but what is really valuable is the study of the scriptures. And we should not simply depend on the authority of quotations from the scriptures alone. We must employ reason and logic in conjunction with an understanding of the workings of the mind and emotions.
"Having pulled down the old temple I really appreciate your determination to rebuild the Jokhang here. But the mere reconstruction of the temple building is nothing exceptional. The crucial thing is that it provides others with the facilities to study the Buddha’s teaching just as I have been able to do since I was a child.
“When you have completed the temple, you should ensure that it becomes a centre of learning, somewhere that people can study the logical and philosophical treatises, that will enable them to engage in dialectical debate, analysing and investigating Buddhist philosophy. I hope you will do that and I pray that you will be successful in doing so. Thank you.”
From the site of the Jokhang His Holiness drove to Choglamsar to consecrate a Dharma Centre built by the Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA). There the LGA President welcomed him at the door. His Holiness entered the Dharma Centre Hall, which was packed to capacity, and paid his respect before carved wooden statues of the Buddha and Avalokiteshvara, and another of Guru Padmasambhava. Then, he sat down and the LGA President and others offered him a mandala of the universe as well as representations of the body, speech and mind of the Buddha. Among the prayers said was the one verse prayer for His Holiness’s long life:
In the pure realm of snow-capped mountain ranges
You are the source of all welfare and happiness
Tenzin Gyatso, Lord Avalokiteshvara,
May you live until the cycle of existence comes to an end.
Tea and sweet rice were served before His Holiness addressed the gathering.
“I have been able to visit you today because it’s conveniently on the way back to Shewatsel. I’m happy to greet all of you, my friends in the Dharma, including abbots, teachers and members of the Sangha.
“There are many religions in the world and in particular many religious traditions exist in India. However, Buddhism attracts special attention from scientists, especially psychologists and neuroscientists. Buddhism, as it has been preserved in Tibet, depends on rigorous study employing logic and reasoning. As a result, many scientists have discussed our tradition of logic and epistemology with me.
“Our tradition of Buddhism doesn’t focus on prayers and rituals but emphasizes the use of logic (pramana), the perfection of wisdom (prajnanparamita), the view of the Middle Way (Madhyamaka) and so forth.
“As far as I’m concerned, I left my birthplace when I was young and travelled to the Potala Palace where I began to study ‘Collected Topics’ and ‘Reason’ when I was five or six years old.
“Although Tibet was in contact with both China and India from the time of King Songtsen Gampo, it was King Trisong Deutsen who invited Shantarakshita to Tibet from India. Consequently, ours an authentic Buddhist tradition. I studied the classic texts although I didn’t pursue the ‘Treasury of Higher Knowledge’ (Abhidharmakosha) so thoroughly. I did study Vinaya, the Code of Monastic Discipline’ and logic.
“There was an established curriculum for the study of Buddhism in Tibet and I followed it. Eventually I sat for my Geshé Degree exams at the great monastic seats of learning, including Sera and Drepung. The examination culminated in a final exam during the Great Prayer Festival (Mönlam Chenmo), which was held at the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa before a gathering of monk-scholars from all three monastic institutions of Sera, Drepung and Ganden.
“Despite bearing the title Dalai Lama I was not just placed on a high throne, I had to study the classic treatises like any other monk. Studying them thoroughly and analyzing them in debate has stood me good stead in my discussions with modern scientists.
“From Takdrak Rinpoché I received numerous tantric empowerments and permissions. However, my principal philosophical teacher was Kyabjé Ling Rinpoché. I studied with him in the mornings and afternoons when he explained philosophy to me in great detail. He opened my eyes to the rich content of our Buddhist tradition. Later, when I met scientists, I was able to compare their explanations with what our texts say and I was able to learn a lot from them.
“I have urged not only monks but also nuns to study philosophy and learn how to debate. Nowadays, philosophy and debate are studied in many of the nunneries in Dharamsala, Mundgod and here in Ladakh. Study and debate mean that we don’t take the teaching for granted.
“When I was young, I had seven Debating Assistants, (Tsenzhabs), one from each of the seven major monasteries. I practised debate with them. When I sat for my final exam, I felt I had made my life meaningful. I didn’t just preside over ceremonies as Dalai Lama, I studied philosophy. No matter which sect they belong to, it is important that all our monks and nuns study the classic texts.
“Today, we see nuns debate during the Great Prayer Festival, which is a new development. The key point is that it’s very important to preserve the Dharma by studying it and practising meditation. This is why I have encouraged nuns and lay-people to study.
“As well as studying the Dharma, I encourage you to learn English in order that you can explain what the Buddha taught to as many different kinds of people as possible. Monastics should not only study but should be able to share their understanding with others.
“That’s all have to say today—thank you.”
His Holiness then drove the short distance back to Shewatsel where he stays.
