Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - This morning, in the sultry pre-monsoon heat, His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove from his residence to the Tsuglagkhang, the main Tibetan Buddhist Temple, in a golfcart.
Taking his seat before the throne, he joined several thousand people who had gathered to recite prayers to the Medicine Buddha. The event was organized and led by monks and Lamas of Sera Mé Monastic College, and presided over by the Sharpa Chöjé Rinpoché and the Abbot of Sera Mé, in honour of His Holiness’s forthcoming 90th birthday and the Year of Compassion announced by the Central Tibetan Administration.
As the Sera Mé Chant Master led the recitation, tea and ceremonial sweet rice were served. In an interval during the prayers, His Holiness gave the oral transmission of an invocation to Palden Lhamo that he composed some years ago.
After taking part in the prayers for a little more than an hour, His Holiness left the temple and drove back to his residence returning the greetings of smiling people on either side of the aisle as he went.
