Dharamsala, HP, India, 14 February 2010 (tibet.net) - His Holiness the Dalai Lama presided over religious ceremonies at the main Buddhist temple in Dharamsala this morning, marking Losar or the "Year 2137 of the Iron-Tiger" of Tibetan calender.
Later, His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivered a brief address to thousands of Tibetans gathered for the ceremony.
His
Holiness offered greetings to Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet
and people of the Himalayan region who share same culture and religion
as Tibetans. His Holiness extended his good wishes and gratitude to the
international community for taking interest in and supporting the just
cause of Tibetans.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama leads an early morning prayer ceremony in Dharamsala on 14 February 2010. (Photo by Tenzin Choejor, OHHDL)
"Despite facing great problems in Tibet for many years, the Tibetan people living inside have shown indomitable courage and sincerity in standing up to the situation," said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
His Holiness said "Tibetans in living in many parts of Tibet are marking the year as a year of remembrance of Tibetan people's suffering," adding that "they refrain from festivities during the Losar." With such sentiments of our brethren in Tibet, His Holiness advised Tibetans to offer prayers by engaging in religious ceremonies and eschew festive celebrations."
His Holiness the Dalai Lama spaaks to thousands of Tibetans after attending religious ceremonies in Dharamsala on 14 February 2010. (Photo by Tenzin Choejor, OHHDL)
His
Holiness "reminds Tibetans living in the free world, not to forget the
critical situation in Tibet". "The Tibetans in exile must keep up their
sincerity and courage like their brethren in Tibet," His Holiness added.
Speaking of education, His Holiness "urged Tibetans, Mongolians and the people of Himalayan region to put more efforts in education, and to excel in the study of Tibetan Buddhism". His Holiness "underlined the study of Tibet's unique secular education, particularly the philosophy of religion".
The day began at 7:00 am with an early morning ceremony of offering prayers and ceremonial cake(Tse-Tor) to goddess Palden Lhamo, the supreme hierarchy of Dharma protectors. The abbot of Namgyal Monastery offered Mendel Tensum,
auspicious offerings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The officials of
the Central Tibetan Administration, including the chief justice
commissioner, justice commissioners, speaker and members of Tibetan
Parliament, Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and members of the
Kashag, were present.
This is was followed by another prayer service in the main shrine hall, during which the abbot of Namgyal Monastery, the chief justice commissioner, speaker of the Tibetan Parliament and Kalon Tripa, presented auspicious offerings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A group of monks participated in a religious debate.
