State Chief Minister Joins H.H. the Dalai Lama After Teachings January 10, 2006

Amaravati, 10 January 2006 (www.tibet.net) - Andhra Pradesh chief minister Dr. Y S Rajasekhara accompanied by many other dignitaries joined His Holiness the Dalai Lama after the teaching yesterday afternoon.

In his brief speech, Dr. Rajasekhara said that Amravati is the place where Lord Buddha conferred the first Kalachakra 2550 years ago and coincidentally it was the chief minister's birthplace. The chief minister thanked His Holiness the Dalai Lama personally and on behalf on his government for giving the Kalachakra in the same place.

He also congratulated the district ministers, MPs, MLAs and other heads for their hardwork and success in providing all the required facilities for the smooth running of the Kalachakra event. He said that he hoped to make Andhra Pradesh an international Buddhist centre and a real hub for Buddhist tourism and pilgrimage.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama thanked Dr. Rajasekhara and state and the people for the warm welcome, hospitality, preparations and their concern for the Kalachakra. His Holiness said that he hoped to visit Amravati again after the completion of ongoing Buddha statue construction at the place. He wished the state prosperity and success in making the state into an international Buddhist centre.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Dr. Rajasekhara then visited the site of ongoing Buddha statue construction, where His Holiness consecrated the site, followed by a visit to museum where His Holiness planted a memorial tree.

The Kalachakra preliminary teachings started on 8 January morning at 8:30 AM and went on till 12 noon. There were over 100,000 people attending the teachings on day one and two.

In the course of teaching, His Holiness gave a general introduction to Buddhism and relations between philosophy of Buddhism and science.

Talking to the Tibetans from Tibet after the teachings on day one, His Holiness mentioned that they will hear the issues relating to politics from the Kalon Tripa of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), whom he had entrusted all his political power and who was democratically elected by the Tibetans in exile.

His Holiness urged the Kasurs of the CTA to talk separately to the Tibetans from Tibet on democratisation and working of the CTA, citing that it is neither a political campaign nor an anti-China. It is a report of our struggle which we are submitting to the real owners of the Tibet.

Yesterday His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that he have seen the photographs of Tibetans inside Tibet wearing expensive jewels and cloths brocaded by animal skins on which he said is all unnecessary, because one should stress on inner development and not on outward form.