I will live for More Than 100 Years: His Holiness Reaffirms at Final Day of Kalachakra

BODH GAYA: His Holiness the Dalai Lama reaffirmed that he will live for more than one hundred years on the final day of the 34^thKalachakra teaching at Bodh Gaya on 14 January 2017.

“You are making this Long Life Offering to me and praying ‘May you live 10,000 years’, but we know that’s not possible.”

“However, my dreams and other indications have shown that I could live to be 113. I don’t know about that, but I think I can say I’ll live to be 100. So, be happy, be at ease,” His Holiness said, drawing a huge applause of delight from the devotees.

His Holiness further reminded the devotees that the best way to repay him would be to heed his advice rather than express gratitude through prayers and offerings.

“As Sikyong said just now, if you really feel that I am of some benefit and would like to repay gratitude, listen to my advice and implement it in your daily lives. That would be most beneficial and fruitful,” His Holiness remarked.

Addressing the Tibetans inside Tibet who were unable to attend the Kalachakra initiations, His Holiness expressed his optimism and said that there will be change in Tibet soon.

“Tibetans who came here to attend the Kalachakra Empowerment were called home. Some officials in Tibet referred to the Empowerment as illegal—but according to what legal system, I wonder?” His Holiness remarked.

“What China said was just an opinion. Nevertheless, Tibetans were warned that if they didn’t return in time, they would face trouble or their relatives would face penalties. This kind of action contributes nothing towards social harmony, it is just disruptive,” His Holiness noted.

His Holiness has earlier informed Tibetans inside Tibet not to lose heart for not being physically present during the initiation. His Holiness has also expressed solidarity with them, promising that he would think of them from Bodh Gaya during the actual initiation.

Consequently, His Holiness offered special prayers on Wednesday, 11 January, for the devotees who could not attend the Kalachakra initiation on account of the restrictions imposed by the Chinese authorities.

His Holiness further urged the public to transform their inner self towards greater good by cultivating mental discipline and purification of wisdom.

“You all have come here for the Kalachakra Initiation. The purpose of receiving this initiation is to make a profound transformation within the self. Therefore, even though you are returning in the same body, your mind should be transformed,” His Holiness advised.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, in his address, said: “To all those who have attended the teaching  in person, and all those in Tibet, China and around the world who were following the teachings, His Holiness the Dalai Lama have blessed each one of you to receive the teachings.

He also said that the most significant expression of gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama would be to practice his teachings and initiate the kind of action that contributes to social harmony.

“We should implement in our daily lives the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, including the non consumption of alcohol and telling of lies. We should further practice unity which is our biggest strength,” he said. Social ills such as excessive drinking is creating family and social problems. Gambling like Majong and cards with high bets losing property and personal income thereby causing harm to family is never good. We should make efforts to do away with these ill habits in the society,” he added.

Sikyong attributed the success of the 34^th Kalachakra to the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

“For Tibetans, His Holiness is the life and soul of Tibet. For Buddhists, His Holiness is the manifestation of compassion, Chenrezig.

“May he live long and healthy, and pray that he may yet give the Kalachakra again on the ground in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa,” Sikyong said.