(TibetanReview.net, Jul21, 2015) – An assortment of 11 Tibetan and other Buddhist groups and institutions came together to make a long-life offering to the Dalai Lama on Jul 20 at the Tsuglakhang, Dharamshala, India. Monks and nuns from Nepal’s Kopan Monastery, Shelkar Chöde, Chuwar Gaden Dropen Ling, Shri Chusang Gompa, Samtenling Drubgön, Thukje Chöling, Serkong Gaden Jamgonling, and Gosok Phuntsok Chöling, as well as two nunneries, Kyirong Thukje Chöling and Kopan Khechö Gakyil Ling began the day be presenting to him debates and reports on their studies and activities in keeping with the Dalai Lama’s advice that one should not restrict oneself to rituals alone.
Given the paucity of time for the Dalai Lama and the numerousness of the offerings, it was suggested that the Long-life offerings from the 11 groups be held together. These groups were the Gelug Association of Nepal, the Tibetan Youth Congress, people of U-Tsang province, Shang Gaden Chökhor Ling, the Taglung Kagyu Tradition, the Tibetan Women’s Association, the Guchusum Movement, the Ngari Chithun Association, the Lodrik Association of Pokhara (Nepal), the Middle Way People’s Association, and the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Society.
Jul 20 corresponded with the fourth day of the sixth Tibetan month, the Tibetan Buddhist festival of the Buddha’s first Turning of the Wheel of Dharma and the Dalai Lama remarked that it was an auspicious day on which the ceremony was being held. He noted that the Buddha’s first Turning of the Wheel, when he taught the Four Noble Truths, took place in public. The second, which was on the Perfection of Wisdom, was revealed only to a select group of disciples. The third was on the nature of the mind and Buddha nature.
The Dalai Lama began by conferring a long-life empowerment related to the White Tara Wish-fulfilling Wheel and followed it with a ceremony for generating the awakening mind before the long-life offering was taken up.
About 1300 representatives from the 11 participating organizations snaked their way through the gathering to present the symbolic offerings.