1,300 from Taiwan attend Dalai Lama’s teaching

The Dalai Lama today concluded his two days’ teaching for Buddhists from Taiwan at his main temple in McLeodganj. The teaching scheduled from September 30 to October 1 was organised on Tsongkhapa’s Three Principal Aspects of the Path.

This morning, the Dalai Lama made a circuit of the Tsuglagkhang, main Tibetan temple, on his way to address an estimated 7,000 persons, including 1,300 from Taiwan, as well as many monks from monasteries in South India on vacation. He smiled at those he saw as he passed by, occasionally extending a hand to an elderly man or woman, who caught his eye.

In the temple, the Dalai Lama warmly greeted the Ganden Throneholder and took his seat on the throne. The ‘Heart Sutra’ was chanted in Chinese, following which a ‘mandala’ was offered to him.

The Dalai Lama said, “When I was on my way here, listening to your chanting the prayer to Jé Tsongkhapa, reminded me that not only was I born close to his place of birth, but also that I share his philosophical views. However, the survival of the Buddha Dharma is not linked to a particular location and those of us in exile have done our best to keep it alive. Jé Rinpoché’s teaching has spread around the world and I have done my best to clarify it.”

He said, “When I was in Tibet and also since leaving the Land of Snow, one of my most important practices has been to read the 18 volumes of Jé Rinpoché’s collected works. I have special regard for them and feel a close connection to them.”

The Dalai Lama said that Tibetans’ core identity was focused on the Buddha Dharma. “We have kept it alive and we have kept it well through study and practice. Consequently, many who have interest in the Dharma are paying attention to our traditions,” he added.