Hundreds of devotees from across the country and beyond — there were many who had come all the way from Norway, Netherlands, Canada, Singapore and US — flocked to the college campus from 6.30 am, three hours before schedule, to pay their obeisance to the spiritual leader and listen to his sermons. As His Holiness took his seat, people bowed their heads thrice as a sign of reverence. Solja (Tibetan tea) and decee (rice mixed with butter and dried fruits) were offered to all those present.
The Dalai Lama spoke at length on Buddhism as the crowd listened in rapt silence. Buddhism and science are closely related, he said, adding that though science had made a lot of progress, there was ample opportunity to do more in Buddhism.
Though His Holiness spoke in Tibetan, interpreters translated them into Nepali to help the audience understand. For those who did not know either of the languages, an English version was broadcast on FM by All India Radio.
Thomas Shor, a writer from the US who attended the session, spoke highly of the English translation. “It was really good. The translator must have been a highly trained person,” he said.
The Dalai Lama touched upon the various aspects of the religion the teachings of the Middle Stages of Meditation, the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva and the eight verses of training the mind in the first session of his discourse from 9 am to 12 noon.
A one-and-a-half hour “lunch break was then called to give the listeners an opportunity to recapitulate all that they were told.
His Holiness then spoke on the teachings of Buddha. He, however, also had an advice for his followers. “I have always asked people to follow the religion one acquires during birth. It is always difficult to get into a new religion for one must deeply learn about the religion one is following. This is why I am here among you all, who I am sure are following Buddhism right from their birth.”
The discourse continued till four in the afternoon.
