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His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives in Ladakh

LEH: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama was accorded a grand welcome on his arrival today in Ladakh to give teachings and the 33rd Kalachakra initiations.

His Holiness was welcomed at Kushok Bakula Airport by dignitaries including Lok Sabha MP Thubten Tsewang and state tourism minister Tsewang Rinzin Jhora, two presidents of the Kalachakra teaching’s organising committee and Tibetan Settlement Officer Dhondup Tashi.

On his way from the airport to Shiwatsel phodrang, thousands of Tibetans and local people in traditional attires lined on the road to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

His Holiness was later welcomed on his arrival at Shiwatsel phodrang by senior spiritual leaders including His Eminence Gaden Tripa, H.E. Tsetrul Rinpoche, the head of Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism and other local religious leaders. Speaking to dignitaries at a welcome reception, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said: “I would like to express my warm greetings to the people in Ladakh. The bond between me and the people of Ladakh since my visit in 1967 has remained strong. I am very happy to be here once again and this time to give the Kalachakra teachings. It is good to see large scale housing and infrastructural development and growth in the number of schoolchildren including many Muslims and Buddhists. To become 21st century Buddhists, it is important to study the teachings of the Buddha and have a sound knowledge of modern education. The faith in Buddhism should be developed by studying the teachings of Buddha rather than by mere faith. The monasteries should become centres of learning for the local people.”

His Holiness will give a teaching on Tsongkhapa’s Concise Stages of the Path to Enlightenment and confer an Avalokiteshvera initiation in Padum, Zanskar, on 23-25 June.

On 1 July, His Holiness will give a teaching on the Heart Sutra at Likir monastery in Likir.

From 3 to 5 July His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with the monks of Namgyal Monastery and senior lamas, will conduct rituals to prepare and consecrate the venue for the Kalachakra initiations. From 6 to 8 July His Holiness will give preliminary teachings on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend. On 9 July the Kalachakra Ritual Dance will be performed by Namgyal Monastery monks. His Holiness will confer the Kalachakra Initiation from 10 to 12 July. On 13 July a long life empowerment and a ceremony offering prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be performed.

Speaking of preparations for the upcoming Kalachakra teachings to Tibetonline TV, the president of the organising committee said: “The preparations have been going on very satisfactorily and it will be ready by the Kalachakra teaching starts. It was a daunting task but everybody cooperated and it is going well with the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Today His Holiness the Dalai Lama has arrived here and people are very happy. I am sure we are going to a very smooth, peaceful and successful Kalachakra. All the logistical assistance like accommodation and transportation will be taken care of.” (Click here to know more about 2014 Kalachakra Initiations)

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