By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, March 31: Thousands of people including Tibetan doctors, students of Tibetan medicine from the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute, monks, nuns, local Tibetans and foreign disciples received the empowerment of Medicine Buddha from the Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Tsuglakhang main temple here today. The empowerment was given on the request of the Central Council of Tibetan Medicine, the apex body of traditional Tibetan medicine practitioners in exile.
The Tibetan leader, before beginning the empowerment, gave an introductory teaching on Tibetan Buddhism which, he said, was perhaps the only religion today that can explain with reasons various scientific concepts in the study of human mind. “The profound teachings about human mind that is very helpful in today’s world is available in the Tibetan language and not in any other language. So you should study them, not considering them as some religion but as an academic subject.”
His Holiness also said that the Tibetans should be proud for being the custodians of the great teachings of Buddha.
He also noted that a peaceful mind is vital for a healthy body. The Tibetan leader said it was foolish to think that just receiving the empowerment of medicine Buddha can treat your ailment. “That’s not logical. If you pray to medicine Buddha and also take the required medicines then you have practically better chances of recovering.”
The Tibetan leader, who considers promoting religious harmony as one of his three responsibilities, said that respect for different religious traditions in the world is very important for religious harmony. “All religions carry more or less the same message, of love and compassion. The philosophies might be different but that’s alright,” he said.
He further added that different religions have existed for thousands of years, and that they will continue to exist no matter what the followers do. “The various religious traditions have to exist alongside each other. We know it, so why not live in harmony when we know we have to exist together?”
After the empowerment ceremony, the Tibetan leader praised Bawa Phuntsog Wangyal, a veteran Tibetan communist who passed away in Beijing on March 30, calling him a “patriot”. The Tibetan leader led a prayer for the late communist veteran whom he had hoped he would meet in his lifetime. “He was a not only a true communist in his ideologies but also a true patriot. “He had a great love for the Tibetan nation and Tibetan people,” said the Tibetan leader who often refers to the late founder of Tibetan Communist Party as his friend.
The Tibetan leader recalled a phone conversation he had with Phunwang during one of his foreign trips. “Once we talked over the phone, and we immediately recognized each other’s voice. I jokingly asked him what was going on with the socialism now, and he only laughed and said nothing.”
His Holiness said Phunwang was not much of a religious person but that he had a deep sense of reverence for him. “During one of our meetings, he told me that he had seen me when I was a small child in Lhasa, and then he suddenly cried. There was nothing I could do, so I just watched him cry.
” I received a picture of Phunwang a few years ago. He held a Khata (Tibetan Wellwishing scarf) onto his forehead to greet me with deep respect,” said the Tibetan leader.
