Jurek Schreiner, student at Tibetan Monastery Namdroling under the training of translators of Tibetan Rigpa talks about the recent visit His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the monastery.
the morning of August 31, His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived for a four-day visit in the region of Bylakuppe, in the state of Karnataka in southern India.
the morning of August 31, His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived for a four-day visit in the region of Bylakuppe, in the state of Karnataka in southern India.
This region is home to the great monastery of Sera and that of Namdroling area, where the training of translators of Tibetan Rigpa, and a growing number of Tibetan settlements, making it one of the most large Tibetan communities in exile.
In anticipation of his arrival, the main street leading to the Gelugpa Sera monastery had been completely decorated with flags and banners and thousands of Tibetans, both community residents and visitors from other regions , were massed along the path. All the houses were decked with flowers and offerings of incense.
the approach of Sera, thousands of monks had lined up along the road.
Upon arrival, His Holiness was invited to the two great temples of Sera Je and Sera Mé for a ceremony of offering tea and rice.
Early the next morning, a multitude of monks, nuns and lay Tibetans, 450 delegates from the Tibetan government in exile and some western guests gathered inside and around the Sera Monastery. His Holiness gave the empowerment of White Tara long life and in return, the monks made a ceremony of life for him.
The great temple of Sera Mé was packed, there were thousands of monks and this created a sacred atmosphere and very unique.
The morning of third day was devoted to the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of democracy for the Tibetans in exile and the ceremonies were held at Sera Je.
Several stakeholders Western including members of Parliament from Bylakuppe specially for this event, presented their tributes to His Holiness.
The fourth and final day of his visit, His Holiness arrived at the monastery of Nyingma Namdroling for the graduation ceremony for monks who have completed studies Shedra past few years. Some key Namdroling lamas, including Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, prime minister of Tibetan government in exile, were also present.
His Holiness concluded by reiterating the importance of Namdroling founder, the late Kyabje Penor Rinpoche. Namdroling, he says, is an exceptional institution of learning, whose origin is Shantarakshita, the outstanding scholar of Nalanda University which, with Padmasambhava, introduced the teachings of Buddha in Tibet. All schools of Tibetan Buddhism are therefore linked to Nalanda and for this reason, the Dalai Lama strongly encouraged his audience not to fall into the prejudices that one of the four schools is superior to others.
so close to the Dalai Lama for a few days was an amazing experience. And his presence, dynamic and fully committed to every moment, no matter how many speeches he has to listen, really shows that infallibility is a source of refuge.
For more photos, click here .
( Story and photos by Jurek Schreiner )
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