By Phuntsok Yangchen
DHARAMSHALA, July 3: As thousands of devotees converge in the picturesque Ladakh for the 33rd Kalachakra initiations by the Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the largest Tibetan NGO known for its social service during the mass religious gathering in the past has been stripped off with the opportunity to provide social services to devotees, a major initiative of the largest Tibetan NGO that questions the Dalai Lama’s stand of a much conciliatory approach towards China.
According to a report by the Tibet Times the difference in ideology between the TYC Centrex and eight regional chapters on the future of Tibet has led to the TYC not making its presence felt at the 33rd Kalachakra initiations in Leh, Ladakh. The eight RTYCs – Bangalore, Bylakuppe, Mundgod, Hunsur, Kollegal, Dalhousie, Pandoh and Ladakh, had in 2013 during a special general meeting of the TYC here had quit the meeting and demanded that the TYC change its stand of independence to Middle Way Approach, a policy pursued by the Tibetan government in exile.
The eight RTYCs along with the Tibetan Women’s Association (which supports the Middle Way Approach) have already started its social service works since June 25 with around 350 volunteers stationed at various points in Leh.
Tsering Lhakyap, a representative of one of the eight RTYCs, told Tibet Times that they had no intention whatsoever to undermine the TYC Centrex and that since the Kalachakra initiation is happening in Leh the RTYC Ladakh naturally became a part of it with collaboration from TWA and other RTYCs.
“TYC Centrex members came here last year and discussed with us about this year’s social service program and we told them that the eight regional chapters who had boycotted last year’s general meeting due to our ideological differences with the parent organization will be taking over the social service works. We made it clear that as long as the difference between us remains it will not be possible to work with them. They even said we could not write ‘the eight RTYCs’ on the dresses of our volunteers. We were very kind in fact to agree to write ‘Leh and Jhangtang RTYC’,” said Lhakyap.
“As far as we are concerned our leader is His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the one who sees clearly the past present and future, and he has been saying time and again, for example his talk in Salugara in 2012. The Tibetan administration’s position is MWA, and we believe that is the right and the only way,” said Lhakyap.
TYC executive members visited Ladakh last November and May this year to discuss possibilities of leading the social service activities for this Kalachakra. However, due to difference in political position a solution could not be reached, sources said.
According to TYC Centrex, the TYC was denied the privilege to lead the social service program following a number of meetings with the 33rd Kalachakra organizing committee. “On May 2, 2014, TYC President Tenzing Jigme, Vice President Tamding Hrichoe and Joint Secretary Ngawang Lobsang visited Ladakh again and met with the organizing committee and concerned people to support TYC social service during the Kalachakra. However, we were later told that all the social service at the Kalachakra will be carried out by volunteers from various NGOs Ladakh,” said a statement issued by the TYC.
TYC apologized for not being able to provide help during this year Kalachakra and wished for its success.
The information booth, one of the most beneficial services rendered to devotees whose strength often goes beyond hundred thousand, was started today.
Currently hundreds of volunteers from the eight regional chapters of TYC and TWA (both local and centrex) have set up help booths at the Bakula airport, motor stand at Choglamsar bridge and Leh, Shiwaitsel, the main venue for the teachings and initiation.
His Holiness began the ritual preparations for the 33rd Kalachakra Initiation today at Jiwe-Tsal which means “Garden of Peace”. Leh is hosting the Kalachakra after 38 years’ gap.
Kalchakra is a Sanskrit word which means “the wheel of time”.
From 3 to 5 July His Holiness the Dalai Lama will lead consecration rituals for the Kalachakra venue. From 6 to 8 July, His Holiness will give preliminary teachings on Nagarjuna’s Letter to a Friend. His Holiness will confer the Kalachakra Initiation from 10 to 12 July. On 13 July, His Holiness will confer a long life empowerment and accept long-life prayer offering.
Kalachakra teachings and initiation has been requested by the Ladakh Buddhist Association and the Ladakh Gonpa Association.
Live webcasts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Kalachakra Teachings is available here. His Holiness will speak in Tibetan followed by Ladakhi, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Russian and Hindi language translations.
