Dalai Lama prays to confer Kalachakra Empowerment on those in Tibet and China who could not make it

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His Holiness during the first day of the Kalachakra Empowerment, Entry into the Mandala, in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India on January 11, 2017. (Photo courtesy/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL)
His Holiness during the first day of the Kalachakra Empowerment, Entry into the Mandala, in Bodhgaya, Bihar, India on January 11, 2017. (Photo courtesy/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL)

(TibetanReview.net, Jan13, 2017) – As the Dalai Lama began the main event of the Kalachakra empowerment at Bodh Gaya on Jan 11, he turned his attention those in Tibet and China who could not make it to the congregation due to a strict ban order from Beijing. He spoke of having told such devotees how they could nevertheless receive the Kalachakra empowerment by the power of their faith and will.

He told the gathering: “There are people in China and Tibetans inside Tibet who have difficulty coming here. So I have told them that if they could keep their devotion strong and direct their mind towards the Kalachakra teachings for today and following days, they could receive the initiation through the power of their faith and will.”

As to how, the Dalai Lama explained: “As mentioned in Vinaya (the Buddhist disciplinary code), there was an ordination given by way of letters. So similarly with the modern tool of communication, the Tibetans and Chinese could visualise taking the initiation. As we go through the teachings here, if they could accordingly, think and follow my instructions, then they will receive the initiation from today onwards.”

The Dalai Lama then offered prayers for dispelling any obstacles that these devotees may face in taking the initiation.

The key purpose of the ongoing Kalachakra Initiation for World Peace and Harmony being held at the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site Bodh Gaya is to provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life to gather in a peaceful atmosphere to listen to teachings on compassion and to reinvigorate the compassionate and enlightened nature of all beings. For vigorous Buddhist practitioners, the Kalachakra initiation is the foremost tantric yoga practice.

Explaining the essence of the Kalachakra teachings, the Dalai Lama said: “We have come across the profound and extensive teaching of Buddha, which has been clarified by masters like Nagarjuna and his disciples. The essence of these teachings comes down to bodhichitta and wisdom of emptiness. It is not just about receiving some blessing, but since we have the potential for attaining the four Buddha bodies and these potentials are manifested more and more within ourselves. So, in order to invigorate this potential, we are taking the initiations.”

So, he advised the devotees to reflect on the principles of Bodhichitta and wisdom of emptiness at all times during the teachings. He said the union of wisdom and compassionate action was indispensable for a practitioner to attain higher realisation, adding that every individual with intelligence had the potential for altruism.

He also said that the wish to free oneself from cyclic existence was the most important requirement for a practitioner in order to receive the Kalachakra yoga tantra initiation. “To confer the highest yoga tantra initiation, as I explained, if you don’t have the wish to be free from cyclic of existence, it is difficult to become Buddhist practitioner. With an understanding of impermanence and enlightenment, you should identify the negative emotions and have the wish to overcome them. Most importantly, cultivate the wish to liberate all sentient beings across the space from suffering.”

The Sakya Gongma Rinpoche, Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche, Gaden Tripa Lobsang Tenzin, former Gaden Tripa Rizong Rinpoche, Taklung Shabdung Rinpoche, Bokar Rinpoche, Kalon trisur Professor Samdong Rinpoche, Jangtse Choje Rinpoche, Sharpa Choje Rinpoche and many other venerable lamas are attending the Kalachakra empowerment at Bodh Gaya.

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