Dalai Lama begins two-day annual teaching for Tibetan youth
By Tsering Choephel
DHARAMSALA, 30 May: June: His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s annual Buddhist teaching for the Tibetan youth from schools and colleges began today at Tsug-lag-Khang, the main temple in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala.
The Dalai Lama started giving Tibetan students-oriented teaching many years ago with the key aim of inspiring interest in Buddhist philosophy among Tibetan youths. The teaching started this morning with an overcast sky and rain.
The Tibetan spiritual leader began the first day of teaching with an introduction on the ‘Three Objects of Refuge’ (kyapdro ngotro) and on Wednesday, the Dalai Lama will confer the ‘Manjushri Blessing’ (Jampalyang Jenang) to all attending devotees.
The Dalai Lama spoke about the importance of warm-heartedness in his introductory teachings to the Tibetan students and stated that to be happy and to make others happy, warm-heartedness is a must.
The large courtyard at the main temple was close to full, with students and staff from Tibetan Children’s Village, monks and nuns, local and visiting Tibetans from other areas and many Indian and foreign tourists.
Despite the ripe age of eighty-seven, the Dalai Lama continues to give teachings and engage with the public.
Falling on the fourth month of the Lunar Tibetan Calendar, this month is Saga Dawa which represents the most sacred month of the year. On the 15th Lunar day, which falls on 4 June of the Gregorian calendar, Dalai Lama will be giving teaching on ‘Geshe Langri Thangpa’s 8 Verses of Mind Training’ (lojong tsik gyema). Additionally, the Tibetan Nobel laureate will also conduct the ‘Ceremony for Generating Bodhichitta’ (semkye) in the morning at the Main Tibetan Temple.
Devotees can watch the live webcast of the teachings in Tibetan with translations in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hindi, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Nepali, Ladakhi and Mongolian on the official website, Youtube channel and Facebook page of the office of the Tibetan Nobel Laureate.
Organised by the Buddhism Introductory Committee of Dharamshala, it is the 15th edition of teachings for Tibetan students. The first edition was held at the Upper TCV school in 2007.
