By Tenzin Menkyi
DHARAMSHALA, July 20: The Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who turned 80 this month, was offered a long-life offering (Tenshug) jointly by 11 organisations at Tsuglakhang temple here today.
His Holiness watched monks and nuns from various monasteries in Nepal engage in debate at the Tsuklakhang courtyard while the prayer recital for Dolkar Yeshi Khorlo Tsewang was being said in the main temple.
Dressed in traditional attires, Tibetans from various parts of India and Nepal waited for their turn to appear with offerings before the Tibetan leader who blessed the members of all the organisations that had sought the opportunity to offer the prayer.
The longlife prayer ceremony was collaboratively offered by Kopan Monastery, Shelkar Chöde, Chuwar Gaden Dropen Ling, Shri Chusang Gompa, Samtenling Drubgön, Thukje Chöling, Serkong Gaden Jamgonling, and Gosok Phuntsok Chöling, as well as two nunneries, Kyirong Thukje Chöling and Kopan Khechö Gakyil Ling.
His Holiness gave the initiation of Dolkar Yeshi Khorlo Tsewang before presiding over the longlife offering ceremony conducted jointly by Taklung Shapdrung Rinpoche, Taklung Matrul Rinpoche, Ven. Losang, Zanskari, Abbot of Gurmey Monastic Centre.
Speaking before the initiation the Dalai Lama said that the monasteries are not meant only for mass prayers or performing rituals. “For forty years or so, I’ve urged monasteries where there was no tradition of study to introduce it. These days I urge lay people to study too and increasingly many are doing so. The Nalanda tradition placed emphasis on logic and epistemology, which deals with the nature, sources and limits of knowledge. We Tibetans have kept it up. This is our treasure; it can be a treasure for the world too.”
He said that the Buddha himself had asked his disciples to examine his teachings before embracing them. “And one of the main methods of examining the teachings is through monastic debate based on logical reasoning. “Buddha himself asked his followers not to devoutly accept his teachings, but to examine, investigate, use reasoning and logic. The method of learning other academic subjects through the monastic style debate has impressed the scientists of today.”
Referring to a report from a delegate at the debate session earlier, the Tibetan leader said that one of the reports mentioned dialogue between Buddhism and Science, which was quite inappropriate. “A conversation between Buddhist Science and Modern Science is more appropriate than just saying Buddhism which can imply to belief or ideology”.
His Holiness further said that the content of Kargyur and Tengyur or Buddhism can be divided into three: Buddhist Science, Buddhist Philosophy and Buddhist Religion. “Buddhist Religion is the practice which Buddhists follow, that includes prayers and circumambulation. Buddhist Science deals particularly with the function of mind and Buddhist Philosophy deals with understanding reality. One does not need to be a Buddhist to study Buddhist Science and philosophy,” His Holiness added.
The Tibetan leader expressed his appreciation to the monks from the Himalaya region including Ladakh, Lahaul Spiti, Arunchal etc. who are now serving their own communities in various capacities after finishing monastic studies.
The Tibetan leader has accepted long life offerings from various organisations, associations and groups this year as he turns 80 as per the international calendar and 81 as per the Tibetan lunar calendar. “Since I don’t have much time I have decided to accept Tenshug offering jointly from different groups.”
His Holiness will travel to Ladakh next week on a four day tour.
