As Dalai Lama prays for GLOF victims, Sikkim prays for long life of His Holiness

EOI & IPR, GANGTOK, 12 DECEMBER 2023: The Paljor Stadium in Gangtok was already filled with a large congregation of devotees as the Dalai Lama arrived on Tuesday morning, smiled and gently waved to the crowd before taking his seat on the stage at the pavilion. Thousands arrived at the stadium to witness the event and receive the teachings of the Dalai Lama.

An estimated 30,000 people, including state dignitaries, state government officers, monks, devotees, people from all walks of life made their way to the stadium in the wee hours of morning. 

Some traversed the venue on foot. Some opted for the shuttle bus service provided by the State Government. The roads in Gangtok leading up to Paljor Stadium were turned into a traffic free zone. 

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in his introductory remarks, offered his greetings to all the devotees and followers of Buddhism who were present. He expressed his happiness at the enthusiasm displayed by everyone who had gathered, wholeheartedly embracing Buddhism and the teachings of Buddha. 

Like the blessings of Buddha, brilliant rays of the morning sun streamed through the clouds, revealing the clear blue sky as the day progressed. His Holiness began his teachings with a brief talk on his interpretation of religion. 

He focused on cultivating inner peace and happiness, promoting dialogue among different faiths, and addressing global issues through a compassionate lens. He emphasised on compassion, nonviolence, and the importance of universal responsibility. 

He said: “All religions are the same, and all dharmas are equal.” Embracing diversity and secular thought fostered understanding, tolerance, and shared values, he emphasized, saying humanity prevailed over differences in faith or practices. 

“By upholding these ideals, societies can strive for inclusivity, harmony, and the collective well-being of all people,” he added. “All major traditions have the same practice of love and kindness, just different methods and different philosophies,” he said. 

The religious leader of Tibet recited a prayer, invoking Avalokiteshwara, for those who had lost their lives in the recent disaster in Sikkim caused by the glacial lake outburst flood and for the peace and happiness of the people of Sikkim and neighbouring regions. 

The spiritual leader then proceeded to deliver the teaching on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo’s 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva (‘Laklen Sodunma’) and the ceremony of the generation of Bodhichitta (‘Semkye’). The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva (‘Laklen Sodunma’) is an ancient text written by Tokme Sangpo, a Buddhist monk and an exponent of scripture and reasoning. He was born in Puljung, south-west of the Sakya Monastery in Tibet. It was composed by monk Tokme in a cave in ‘Ngulchu Rinchen’ for the benefit of all sentient beings. 

The 37 Practices seeks to make clear the day-to-day behavior of a Bodhisattva, an enlightened being on the way to attain full Buddhahood. It serves as a practical guide for those people seeking to travel the path of enlightenment. 

The Dalai Lama said there was no better way to create merit, purify misdeeds or bring benefit to others than following the path of Bodhisattva. “By examining always the status of one’s mind, with continuous mindfulness and alertness, to bring about the good of others—this is the practice of all the Bodhisattvas,” he said. 

“If you cultivate Bodhichitta on a daily basis, you can yield more benefits.” A long-life offering ceremony by the Sikkim Government and Tibetan communities of Sikkim was performed. This included an auspicious offering of ‘Mendel Tensum,’ recitation of prayers and cultural presentations consisting of a Tibetan dance by Tibetan Communities of Sikkim and Sikkimese dance performed by artistes from the State Culture Department. 

Accompanying the Dalai Lama were Shabdrung Rimpoche, Tinkey Gonjang Rinpoche, Lachung Rinpoche, Gonjang, Sertha Tulku and other eminent Buddhist religious heads. Governor of Sikkim Lakshman Prasad Acharya and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang were present, and so also Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court Biswanath Somadder, Speaker of Sikkim Assembly Arun Kumar Upreti and senior army officers. In his inaugural address, the Chief Minister extended a warm welcome to the Dalai Lama in Sikkim. 

Recognising the day's significance for Sikkim, the Chief Minister asserted that the divine words and blessings of His Holiness would serve as a guiding light for the State. He deemed it an absolute honour to host the Dalai Lama, regarded as a manifestation of Avalokiteshwara; embodying the compassion of all Buddhas and transcending faith boundaries to touch the lives of millions globally. 

As a symbolic gesture, the Chief Minister offered ‘Khada’ to the Dalai Lama. Minister Sikkim Ecclesiastical Affairs Department Sonam Lama offered the vote of thanks to the Dalai Lama at the conclusion of the ceremony.