(TibetanReview.net, Dec 25, 2014) – The Dalai Lama on Dec 23 began a weeklong religious teaching at Ganden Jangtse Monastery in North Kanara District of Karnataka State, India, attended by more than 25,000 people, including more than 2000 from some 43 foreign countries. Monks from Sera, Ganden, Drepung, Tashi Lhunpo and Mindoling were present in large numbers.
He was ushered to his teaching throne by Ganden Tri Rinpoche, the head of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, as well as by the Sharpa and Jangtse Chöjeys, besides Ling Rinpoche, who had requested the current series of teaching on the ‘18 Stages of the Path’ treatises.
The Dalai Lama explained that Tibetan was today the language most capable of expressing Buddhist philosophical ideas and that preserving it was therefore crucial.
The Dalai Lama said he will be teaching Zhamar Pandita’s Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, which is a commentary on Panchen Lobsang Chögyan’s ‘Easy Path’. He said he will also teach ‘Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand’, with the possibility of completing it next year in case it could not be finished this time.