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His Holiness the Dalai Lama Bestow White Tara Long Life Initiation and Bodhisattva Vow at Samstanling Monastery

His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting members of audience before teaching begins. Photo/Jayang Tsering/DIIR

Nubra: His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a White Tara long life initiation and Bodhisattva vow at Samstanling monastery, Nubra, Ladakh on the 17 July 2018. It was followed by a Long Life Prayer for His Holiness the Dalai Lama offered jointly by the Samstanling and Rizong monasteries.  Devotees from Tegar, Sumyur, Tsati, Khaltsar, Hasara, Pinchi Mig villages took part in the Long Life prayer ceremony.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama performing the Longevity Empowerment at the Samstanling Monastery teaching ground in Sumur, Ladakh, J&K, India on 17 July 2018. Photo/Jayang Tsering/DIIR

At the onset of the Long Life prayer, His Holiness said that the main factor for the Long Life is mental peace. If you have the peace at your heart and mind and if  you are mentally calm and relaxed, you will be able to live long.  Developing compassionate heart for the people facing misfortunes and thinking about impermanence and emptiness will facilitate you in turning the misfortune into luck and meaningful circumstance.  This is what is called the positive and meaningful side of misfortune. When the misfortune is coupled with a compassionate heart, it really helps to prolong your life.  Furthermore, if the long life rituals were performed by the deities, it will be even more helpful in lengthening the life.

Members of the audience taking Longevity Empowerment vows. Photo/Jayang Tsering/DIIR

After his brief talk, His Holiness bestow White Tara initiation followed by Bodhisattva vow. Neten Thupten Dorje and the Gaden Trisur Rizong Rinpoche offered Tenshug (Long Life prayer) to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.  The sponsors of Tenshug were given an audience of His Holiness.

According to His Holiness’ schedule, he will be heading to Lamton School at Sumur in Nubra, to inaugurate its newly built auditorium, followed by his talk to the teachers, staff and students of the school, numbering to 380.  After this program, His Holiness will proceed to Leh.

A Long Life to His Holiness the Dalai Lama offered jointly by the Samstanling and Rizong monasteries. Photo/Jayang Tsering/DIIR

Nubra Samstanling monastery was built by Lama Tsultim Nyima. Lama Tsultim Nyima went to Ngari region of western Tibet in the 18th century and received his ordination from the Abbot of Ngari who gave his name as Tsultim Nyima.  As his name implies, he was blessed to uphold the ethics as bright as the sunshine.  After returning to Ladakh, Lama Tsultim requested the then king of Ladakh to give him a piece of land on which he built Rizong monastery.  Later at the end of the 18th century he moved on to Nubra where he established Samstanling monastery.  Ladakh is blessed with 18 major monasteries belonging to various sects of Tibetan Buddhism.  The prominent monasteries belonging to Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism are Thiktse monastery, Pethup monastery, Lukhil monastery, Rizong monastery, Samstanling monastery, Ling She monastery, Garsha monastery, Togden monastery and Phuktal monastery. From the Drukpa Kagyupa school, there are monasteries such as Hemis, Chem Drel, Takna, Korzog, Nyoma and the prominent monasteries belonging to Drikung Kagyu are Phiyang, Lama Yu Ru, Sha Chu Kul and Shang.  There is only one Sakya monastery which is called Magdrok Gonpa.  Likewise, the only Nyingmapa monastery there is called Dragthok Gonpa.

Children performing a cultural dance during Long Life offering to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo/Jayang Tsering/DIIR