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His Holiness the Dalai Lama Confers Avalokiteshvara Six-Syllable Empowerment on Sagadawa

His Holiness the Dalai Lama confers Avalokiteshvara Six-Syllable Empowerment on Sagadawa at Tsuglagkhang, Main Temple, Dharamshala, 16 May 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

DHARAMSHALA: Marking the beginning of the sacred month of Sagadawa, Buddhist festival of honouring the life of Buddha, His Holiness the Dalai Lama blessed Tibetans and other devotees with the Avalokiteshvara six-syllable empowerment, also known as the Joluk Chenresig Yege Drukmey Jenang, on Wednesday at Tsuglagkhang. The conferring of the Avalokiteshvara Empowerment, which was aired live on official (Tibetan) Facebook of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, was watched by more than 23,000 viewers and devotees.

In his preliminary remarks, His Holiness said the permission initiation of the four-arm Chenresig is in accordance with the Rinjung Gyatsa collection of permission initiations.

“I have received the transmission of Rinjung Gyatsa from Tadrak Rinpoche when I was young. I have not done retreat of this specific Chenresig, but I have done retreat on Chenresig Avalokiteshvara from other cycles of teachings such as the Avalokiteshvara which is in part of the 25 secret visionary sealed teachings of the 5th Dalai Lama and necessary retreat. I may have recited millions of six-syllable mantra also,” His Holiness explained.

The Tibetan spiritual leader mentioned that the main crux of his practice is of twofold Bodhicitta and that of view of emptiness. Bodhicitta (Jangchub ki sen) is the compassionate wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. View of emptiness (Tongpa Nyi) holds the absence of inherent existence in all phenomena and was taught by the Buddha in the second turning of the Wheel of Dharma.

“These teachings help us counter our self-cherishing attitude and ignorance. On the basis of these teachings, all the happiness and joys come from dependence on others. The right attitude for taking care of oneself is in taking care of others,” he said.

His Holiness lamented the “unfortunate” misuse of human intelligence, divisive attitude in human beings and violence in the name of religion.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama confers Avalokiteshvara Six-Syllable Empowerment on Sagadawa at Tsuglagkhang, Main Temple, Dharamshala, 16 May 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

“If you look at daily news, we learn about how people deceive one another, abuse, cause harm and kill one another. The weapons are a product of human intelligence, devised to kill another human being. Unless we are able to control our mind, we won’t be able to overcome all problems that are being created in the world”.

“Once we do overcome our mind, we will have no use of weapons,” the peace icon said.

He observed if human beings employed their critical faculty and enable themselves to distinguish between right and wrong, we can further strengthen the compassionate nature within ourselves.

“Now the scientists have found that basic human nature is compassionate. We have the basic seed of compassion within ourselves. Even the animals appreciate love, affection, and compassion,” he said, adding that Buddha’s teachings also underline the oneness of all human beings in their desire for happiness and peace.

His Holiness later bestowed the Bodhisattva vows and explained the six syllable of Chenresig-Om Mani Padme Hum.

The empowerment ceremony was attended by Tibetan Justice Commissioners, Kalons of Department of Religion and Culture, Education, Home and Health, Secretaries and officials.

Sagadawa, the fourth month in Tibetan calendar is the most sacred month of the year in Tibetan Buddhism, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana (death) and noble activities of the Buddha. Most holy of all is the full moon day of SagaDawa, the 15th day of the month, which is the date most commonly associated with not only Buddha’s birth but also his enlightenment and parinirvana. The 15th day of the month will fall on 29 May.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama confers Avalokiteshvara Six-Syllable Empowerment on Sagadawa at Tsuglagkhang, Main Temple, Dharamshala, 16 May 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

Members of Kashag and representatives of Central Tibetan Administration at the Avalokiteshvara Six-Syllable Empowerment ceremony at Tsuglagkhang, Main Temple, Dharamshala, 16 May 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

His Holiness the Dalai Lama blessing a monastic member on his arrival at the ceremony for Avalokiteshvara Six-Syllable Empowerment at Tsuglagkhang, Main Temple, Dharamshala, 16 May 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

Thousands of Tibetan and non-Tibetan devotees receiving the Avalokiteshvara Six-Syllable Empowerment from His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Tsuglagkhang, Main Temple, Dharamshala, 16 May 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR

Devotees receiving the Avalokiteshvara Six-Syllable Empowerment from His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Tsuglagkhang, Main Temple, Dharamshala, 16 May 2018. Photo/Tenzin Phende/DIIR