His Holiness the Dalai Lama Commences Ritual Ceremony for 34th Kalachakra Initiation
BODH GAYA: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama set in motion the 13-day Kalachakra Initiation in the heart of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage, Bodh Gaya at 7 am today. This also marks the 62th year since His Holiness first bestowed the initiation at Norbulingka, Lhasa in April 1954.
The Kalachakra teaching ground was jam-packed by more than one lakh ardent devotees–ordained and lay people–who had come from over 17 different countries including China, Mongolia, US, Australia and many across the world.
The 103th Gaden Tripa, His Eminence Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin, former Gaden Tripa, His Eminence Rizong Sey Thubten Nyima Lungtok Tenzin Norbu were among the many important religious heads attending the ceremony.
Representatives of the Central Tibetan Administration including Mr Kargyu Dhondup, Chief Justice Commissioner of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay along with other dignitaries took part in the ceremony.
As His Holiness ascended on the throne, the offering of prayers and the preliminary service of ‘Guiding the Disciples Ceremony’ began with recitations of verses in praise of the Buddha, the Heart Sutra and the mantra of Kalachakra deity. ‘The Guiding the Disciples Ceremony’ is observed by the guru, before giving a discourse to his disciples, to ensure smooth transition of the teachings.
Inaugurating the ‘Guiding the Disciples Ceremony,’ His Holiness said: “Bodh Gaya is an extraordinarily sacred place of over 2000 years old. It is the seat of Shakyamuni’s enlightenment and therefore is supremely holy place for all the Buddhists around the world. Some of the great Nalanda and Tibetan masters have accomplished their practices here. On account of this place being so sacred, we are doing the 34th Kalachakra initiation here for the following two weeks.”
Text and pictures from: tibet.net and Tibetan Journal
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