Thekchen Chöling, Dharamsala, HP, India - Overnight rain let up this morning as His Holiness the Dalai Lama walked from the gate to his residence, through the courtyard, to the Tsuglagkhang, the Main Tibetan Temple. Representatives of those offering prayers, Shang Gaden Chökhorling Monastery, Nepal, a group from the Chatreng Community and the Phari Community, among them Yangsi Rinpoché and Lobsang Nyandak, escorted him. His Holiness smiled and waved to members of the estimated 5000 strong crowd as he walked. Tashi Shölpa performers danced and sang to welcome him.
Having ridden up to the temple floor in the lift His Holiness stopped to survey and wave to members of the gathering. Next, he stepped into the Kalachakra temple to view the sand mandala being constructed there in preparation for the Kalachakra ritual of offering and practice being performed this month.
Once His Holiness had taken his seat on the throne in the temple the prayers began. The ceremony today was based on the ‘Method for Granting the Essence (of Immortality) based on an Amitayus Ritual’ by the Great Fifth Dalai Lama. It was presided over by Ven. Samdhong Rinpoché. To his right sat the Abbot of Gyumé Monastery, while to his left were the Abbot of Shang Gaden Chökhorling Monastery and the young reincarnations of Dromo Geshé Rinpoché, Geshé Lhundup Sopa and the former Abbot of Sé-Gyu Monastery.
The Amitayus Ritual included this repeated refrain: “The time has come, please grant the spiritual accomplishment of immortal life.” After flourishing the long-life arrow with its silken banner, Samdhong Rinpoché presented it to His Holiness. A large ritual cake was offered as the single verse prayer for long life composed by His Holiness at Dilgo Khyentsé Rinpoché’s request was intoned.
A mandala offering depicting the universe, along with representations of the body, speech and mind—a statue, a scripture and a chörten, was presented to His Holiness with a request for him to remain among us for hundreds of aeons, continuing to turn the wheel of Dharma. This was followed by offerings of the nectar of longevity, long-life pills, the eight auspicious symbols, the seven royal emblems and the eight auspicious substances.
The prayer for His Holiness’s long life by Jamyang Khyentsé Chökyi Lodro and that composed by his two tutors were recited. The Abbot of Shang Gaden Chökhorling Monastery offered a thanksgiving mandala. The ceremony came to a conclusion with recitations of a ‘Prayer to Buddha Amitayus’, the ‘Prayer for the Flourishing of the Teaching’ and ‘Verses of Auspiciousness’.
His Holiness addressed the congregation: “So, here today, members of the Shang Gaden Chökhorling Monastery, a group from the Chatreng Community, as well as the Phari Community have offered these prayers for my long life. Your dedication and sincerity are without doubt—I thank you.
“I was born in Kumbum, in Amdo. Then I came to Lhasa and because I have the title Dalai Lama, I’ve been able to make a positive contribution to the teaching and the welfare of beings. The Chinese were wary of me, but then I came into exile in India. Everywhere in this great land, from north to south, to east and west, tens of thousands of people come to see me regularly. The people of India, whether they have faith in the Buddha Dharma or not, appreciate what I’ve been doing. They’re delighted to see me. So, I feel that the longer I live, the better I’ll be able to serve sentient beings and the Dharma.
“I have good, strong connections with people throughout India. In China, Buddhism is gaining ground and I feel I may be able to make some contribution to the flourishing of the teaching there too. So, I hope to be able to help people through sharing what the Buddha taught.
“Having been born as a Tibetan and recognised as the Dalai Lama according to the indications in the surface of the oracular lake Lhamo Latso, I’ve been able to serve the Buddha Dharma. I believe I’ll be able to serve the Dharma and repay the kindness of the Buddha for several decades more. I’ve done my best so far.
“I’m someone who came from Siling and reached Lhasa, holding the title of Dalai Lama. When I was in Lhasa, sitting on a high throne, I didn’t have much contact with other people, but I studied and later took exams at the Three Great Seats of Learning, Sera, Drepung and Ganden. I sat for my final examination in the Jokhang in Lhasa during the Great Prayer Festival. I’ve done what I could and studied to the best of my ability. One of my most important teachers was my debating assistant Ngodrup Tsognyi who was very kind to me. That’s all I have to say—Tashi Delek.”
As he walked from the temple to the lift and then drove through the courtyard, well-wishers lining the way were happy to catch His Holiness’s eye as he waved to them, a joyful smile on his face.
