Amaravati, January 5 – Kalachakra, the global conclave of Buddhist monks and pilgrims, began here Thursday with Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama formally launching the 12-day enlightenment programme.
About 40,000 Buddhists from India and abroad are attending the conclave being held in this town in Guntur amid tight security. Organisers are hoping that the numbers swell to 100,000 in coming days.
The Dalai Lama launched the programme with prayers and addressed the gathering in Tibetan, saying the teachings of Buddha were relevant to the modern day world, a message translated into English and various Indian languages.
He also called for spreading the message of love and peace through inter-faith dialogue.
Asserting that he did not agree that fundamentalism was growing the world over, Dalai Lama said: “It’s not fundamentalism but the growth of media that has resulted in giving the conflict wider publicity.”
The Tibetan leader said happiness came from promotion of human values and that Kalachakra was aimed at the development of inner values.
Nearly 50 monks were on the dais for the holy rituals.
Young monks getting holy empowerment during this Kalachakra — the Dalai Lama is offering Kalachakra empowerment for 30th time in his life — are being given orientation on spiritual enlightenment to overcome worldly issues in an interactive session.
Earlier, thousands of saffron-robed monks vied with each other to catch a glimpse of the Dalai Lama as he appeared on the dais.
Kalachakra, meaning the wheel of time, is a complex cycle of tantrik teachings. It is believed that Kalachakra initiation helps one increase knowledge and spiritual power.
Buddhists believe that it was at Amaravati, or Shri Dhanyakataka for them, that the Buddha conducted the first Kalachakra ritual about 2,550 years ago.
Huge tents have been erected to accommodate the monks and the pilgrims from India, Tibet and 28 other countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea, the US, Britain and Germany.
The Norbulingka Institute, a cultural body attached to the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharmasala, and the Andhra Pradesh government have made elaborate arrangements for the event.
Though the state government has spent Rs.530 million ($12 million) on the mega event, the facilities are far from satisfactory. Many participants were seen complaining about the inadequate arrangements for food and water.
Japan’s Bushokai Foundation are the main sponsors while Buddhists from various Western countries are the co-sponsors.
The event has put the spotlight on the small town near the banks of Krishna river and about 40 km from Guntur town. With only a few small hotels available, the participants had a tough time in finding suitable accommodation.
Taking advantage of this, many local people have rented their houses for rents ranging from Rs.4,000 to Rs.10,000 for 12 days. Roadside hotels and eateries and other shops are also doing brisk business.
Pilgrims and floating tourists gathered around the 120 feet high Buddha statue near the venue.
Mahastupa, containing the relics of the Lord Buddha – the largest stupa in India built during 3rd century BC – and the archaeological museum near the town have also been decked up.
