By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, August 3: Dhasa Cholsum Volunteer People, a group of Tibetan volunteers from all three provinces of Tibet, today began a four-day prayer for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and world peace at the Theckchen Choeling temple here.
The annual prayer will last till Choekhor Dhuechen on August 6, which is the fourth day of the sixth month of the Tibetan Lunar calendar during which Buddha preached for the first time after seven weeks of his enlightenment.
“It is not only important for us but to the whole world. Ever since he has affirmed that he would live till the age of 113 in 1998, we have been organizing the prayer to read the scriptures of Sutra of the Good Aeon (Do-de Kelsang) 113 times annually,” Lobsang Tsering, President of the group, told Phayul.
Around 200 nuns from all the four major nunneries – Gaden Choeling, Dolmaling, Jamyang Choeling and Shungseb nunnery are invited to read the lengthy scripture.
On April 15 this year, the Dalai Lama reportedly reaffirmed to senior religious leaders during a private audience that he would live till 113 years.
Prior to the day on April 14, members of the Gelug International Foundation led by the Gaden Tripa along with 9 abbots and 2 assistant abbots held a meeting, which resolved to offer His Holiness the Dalai Lama contrition for the unpleasant developments during the election campaign.
