DHARAMSHALA, August 21: All electronic gadgets including FM radios have been banned from teachings of the Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama for “security reasons”.
FM radio transmitters were used to provide simultaneous translation of the Tibetan leader’ teachings for devotees who travel from various countries to listen to him. The translations were provided in English, Hindi, Russian, Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian and German. Devotees could just tune in to the frequency alloted to their language and listen to the translations.
The decision to ban the FM radio was taken at a meeting between the Senior Superintendant of Police, Kangra, and the Tibetan Security Officials.
Confirming the ban Ngodup Dorjee, Secretary of the Department of Security, said they are looking for alternative measures to make the translations available for foreign devotees.
Following the terror attacks on the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, the personal security of the Dalai Lama has been beefed up. Security in and around Tsuglakhang main temple, has been stepped up with cellular phones and cameras not allowed even when there is no teaching.
In July, India’s central counter terrorism unit, the National Investigation Agency, has alerted Himachal police about possible terrorist strikes on Buddhist population and monasteries across the state by Islamic militant group Indian Mujahideen.
The Dalai Lama is currently conferring a White Tara Long Life Empowerment (drolkar tsewang) at Shewai Gatsel in Leh, Ladakh, where the Tibetan leader has been on retreat since July 30, 2013. In 2014, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to confer Kalachakra initiations in Leh, Ladakh from July 3 to 14.
From August 25 to 27, the Dalai Lama will give a two and a half-day teachings on Tsongkhapa’s Concise Treatises on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment (lamrim dudon)and An Overview of Tantra from Tsongkhapa’s Stages of the Path of Mantrayana (ngakrim chenmo chishe) at the request of a group of Koreans in Dharamshala.
