Bylakuppé, Karnataka, India - This morning, His Holiness the Dalai Lama left Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, where he has been staying for the past month, and took a short drive to Sera Lachi Monastery where Prayers for his Long Life were to be offered. Having reached the monastery assembly hall His Holiness first went upstairs to meet Ganden Tri Rinpoché, the Shartsé and Jangtsé Chöjés, as well as the abbots of eleven monastic centres of learning—Sera Mé and Sera Jé, Drepung Gomang and Drepung Loseling, Ganden Shartsé and Ganden Jangtsé, Gyutö and Gyumé Tantric Colleges, Tashi Lhunpo, Ségyu and Ratö.
“Only Tibet has preserved the complete teaching of the Buddha, and the rigorous study of it through reason and logic,” he told them. “Because this tradition includes very effective methods for transforming the mind, we should make efforts to preserve it. We should also do so because the understanding of the workings of our mind and emotions that is part of our spiritual heritage is not to be found in any other spiritual tradition. Our understanding of psychology provides us with excellent tools for tackling our mental afflictions and cultivating positive emotions. And after studying them thoroughly we can use these tools to transform our minds. Therefore, our study of classic Buddhist texts leads to practical benefits.”
While this meeting was taking place, the congregation in the assembly hall recited prayers including the ‘Three Continuums’ in praise of the Buddha and the ‘Praise for the 17 Masters of Nalanda’, as well as His Holiness’s name mantra.
Having lit a butter lamp on the altar behind the throne, His Holiness took his seat facing the assembly. To his left sat the former Ganden Tri Rinpoché, the Jangtsé Chöjé and abbots of the eleven monasteries. To his right sat the present Ganden Tri Rinpoché, Geshé Lharampa Lobsang Dorjé, and staff of the Ganden Phodrang. Officials from the Central Tibetan Administration sat with the monks in the front row of the congregation. The long-life prayer based upon the ‘Offering to the Spiritual Master’, the ‘Lama Chöpa’, began.
Tea and doughnuts were distributed. The tea was blessed with the recitation of a verse offering it to Jé Tsongkhapa and his two chief disciples.
This tea I offer to the three, the Father and his spiritual sons:
Tsongkhapa, trailblazer of the Buddhist tradition in Tibet,
Gyaltsap-jé, lord of reason and logic, and
Khedrup-jé, custodian of Sutra and Tantra teachings.
The doughnuts were blessed as follows:
This sumptuous offering of food with myriad flavours,
Flowers, fragrant incense, and lamps,
Actually displayed and mentally conjured up,
I offer to you, supreme field of merit.
After this, ceremonial sweet rice was served. Recitation of the ‘Lama Chöpa’ reached the poignant chanting of the Tsog Offering.
As the Vajra Master presiding over this ceremony, the Jangtsé Chöjé, Gosok Rinpoché, recited the request for His Holiness to live long and presented symbolic offerings such as a cushion marked with a crossed-vajra emblem. Flanked by the Abbots of Sera Mé and Sera Jé he first offered a mandala to His Holiness followed by representations of the body, speech and mind of enlightenment, a monk’s upper robe (namjar), a seat cover (dingwa), a monks lower robe, a monk’s staff (kharsil ), symbols of the eight auspicious objects, the seven royal emblems and eight auspicious substances.
The prayer for His Holiness’s long life composed by his two Tutors was recited as representatives of International Geluk Orgainsations and sponsors of this ceremony came forward to receive His Holiness’s blessings. The new Shartsé Chöjé offered a thanksgiving mandala. Staff of Sera Monastery came forward to receive blessings.
His Holiness then addressed the congregation: “Today, this Long-life Ceremony has been performed here in Sera. The monks of the three great monastic universities, Sera, Ganden and Drepung have placed firm faith and devotion in me for so many decades. I always feel close to these monastic institutions and the monks there treat me with especial respect. The trust and bond between us is unwavering. I make prayers for the well-being of monks here and in other institutions.
“As a result of my past actions and prayers I have made, I have a special connection with the Tibetan people. And when I think of serving them tears come to my eyes—because of the close feelings I have for them. From the depths of my heart, I will always be dedicated to the cause of Tibet and the thriving of the Dharma there, and in this connection, there are indications that I may live to be 110 years old.
“These monastic institutions, Sera, Ganden, Drepung and so forth are revered by people around the world who take interest in studying Buddhist philosophy. Many of these people, scientists especially, also treat me with special regard. They are attracted by the psychology that is part of our tradition.
“I will live a long life and I pray that the special bond I have with Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, as well as others who treat me with respect, will persist. That’s all I wish to say. You’ve offered these prayers for my long life with the single-pointed dedication of everyone concerned—and I have been glad to accept them.
“I can tell you that I will live to be 110 or more. So far, I have done my best to serve the people and Buddhadharma of Tibet. You in turn have offered these prayers for my long life. I would like to thank all of you.” Applause rippled through the crowd.
There were still verses from the Lama Chöpa to be recited from:
You are the Guru; you are the Deity; you are the Skyfarers and Religious Protectors.
From now until enlightenment, I shall seek no refuge other than you.
In this life, the intermediate state and all future lives, hold me with your hook of compassion.
Free me from fears of cyclic existence and peace, grant all attainments,
Be my constant friend and guard me against interference.
The ceremony came to a close with a verse of dedication for the flourishing of the tradition of Jé Tsongkhapa
May all be auspicious for the Buddhas' teachings to endure
Omniscient Lobsang Dr'ag-pa, through your centres of the doctrine,
Being filled with hosts of monks and yogis striving
Single-pointedly to master the three pure trainings.
Teachers and students from Sera Mé and Sera Jé Monasteries posed individually and in groups to have their photographs taken with His Holiness—and he was then invited to lunch.
Later in the afternoon, for more than an hour, His Holiness joined the monks of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery who had gathered in the debate yard from early morning offering prayers to mark the anniversary of the passing away 550 years ago of Gyalwa Gendun Drup, the First Dalai Lama and the founder of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery.
