Shall live for another 20 years, says Dalai Lama

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, June 6

The Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said he would live for another 20 years.

In an online teaching on Friday, the Dalai Lama said he had set an annual programme for next 20 years. He added that he will live at least till then.

During the live streaming of his teaching on cultivating the awakening of mind on Friday, the Dalai Lama directed the Tibetan Buddhist learning centres to plan his teachings on cultivating the awakening of mind as an annual ritual for next 20 years.

During the introductory remarks from the Dalai Lama, he explained that he felt it could be beneficial if we carried out the ceremony of ‘Cultivating the Awakening Mind’ on this auspicious day in memory of Gautam Buddha’s grace.

The Dalai Lama further advised the Tibetan Buddhist learning centres, including the three main centres of Drepung, Gaden and Sera, to hold this ceremony every year. He added that he will also be present for the annual programme at least for next 20 years or so.

There has been growing concern in the Tibetan community in exile regarding the health and age of the Dalai Lama who is now 84.

Though the Dalai Lama has retired from active politics in 2011 and handed over the command of Tibetan community in exile to elected leadership, he still remains a pivotal force before the Tibetan movement across the world. In the past apprehensions had been expressed regarding the health of the Dalai Lama and there were unconfirmed reports that he was suffering from prostate cancer. The office of the Dalai Lama had strongly refuted the claims that he was suffering from terminal illness.

The Dalai Lama repeated issues statements regarding his well being reassure his followers and Tibetan exiles.

Once again yesterday evening the Dalai Lama reassured his followers that he would live for another 20 years and asked his official to ready his schedule for the said period.