His Holiness the Dalai Lama Gives Teaching on Je Tsongapa’s Tendrel Toepa at Sera Mey

Bylakuppe: His Holiness the Dalai Lama inaugurated and consecrated the Sera Mey Thoesam Norling courtyard and gave teaching on Je Tsongkhapa’s In Praise of Dependent Origination (Tendrel Toepa) this morning at Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement.

Around 8000 people including monks and nuns, the retired staff of CTA, students, guests and lay people were present at the inauguration ceremony. Gaden Tripa, Gaden Trisur, President Dr Lobsang Sangay, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri, Sri Sri Dr Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji, Khenpos, Settlement Officers and Chief Representatives were also present.

“India is living example of religious harmony. India’s tradition of nonviolence and Karuna has been there for more than thousand years. Wherever I always introduce myself as a messenger of ancient Indian thoughts. So I would like to thank you for coming to this inauguration ceremony,” His Holiness told the Indian devotees.

While congratulating members of the Sera Mey on successfully completing the courtyard, he reminded them to continue focusing on quality education in the monastery.

His Holiness further emphasised his conviction in faith born out of reason and inquiry than mere belief. “Monastic institutes have been doing good and must continue with preservation and combination of both ancient and modern knowledge. We have potential to combine modern and ancient knowledge for the wellbeing of humanity.”

President Dr Lobsang Sangay of Central Tibetan Administration congratulated the gathering on the successful completion of new courtyard. He briefly recapped the history of Sera Monastery since its inception in 1419 and Sera Mey in 1421. “It is almost 600 years by now. It is really auspicious symbolising of Sera to be like Nalanda if it survives for 400 years more,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of combining modern education with the rich spiritual knowledge of ancient India to acquire holistic education, President expressed that he wishes to see monks with the double degree of ancient tradition with modern PhD in near future.

“Under the visionary leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the traditions of the Nalanda Mahavihara that were destroyed in Tibet continue to flourish in exile, in the Himalayan region, China, and around the world. Now His Holiness has pledged to revive it in India, the birthplace of Buddhism,” Dr Lobsang said.

He also reasserted Kashag’s stand against Dolgyal followers and condemned their protests and baseless allegations against His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In his address, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile reminded everyone to preserve rich traditional Tibetan language, as it is the root of the survival of Tibetan identity. He further said that Tibetans being on par with the whole world is solely due to the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

“We must come together to seize the opportunity in leading efforts towards reformation of modern education as many of philosophers and scientist are showing interest in our tradition,” he said.

Other guests including Sri Sri Dr Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji also addressed the gathering.

-Filed by Correspondent Tenzin Phende-