By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, MARCH 16: A group of former security guards (Kusung) of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wednesday offered a long life prayer (Tenshug) to the octogenarian Tibetan spiritual leader at Gaden Phodrang, the Tibetan leader’s private office and residence.
The spiritual leader who turns 82 this July said that he hopes and also prays that he would live around 100 years.
“Today you have offered this long life prayer through the rites of wish-fulfilling White Tara (Dol-Kar), which I practice everyday. So, it will definitely benefit this life and I would like to thank you all,” the Dalai Lama told men and women who had served as bodyguards for him over the years.
Along with the prayer, the former bodyguards also offered their solemn vows to uphold and fulfill the wishes of the Tibetan leader, to extend their support to the Middle Way Approach, not to associate with the controversial Dholgyal related activities. The Tibetan spiritual leader said, “These are not just empty pledges but your actual feelings, which you have documented here today. I thank you all.”
Thinley Dorjee, member of the organizing committee, said that every member of the group expressed happiness since His Holiness ‘joyfully accepted’ all our pledges.
“Everyone is very delighted after the overwhelming experience and the advises the Dalai Lama gave during the prayer. We are also very happy,” said Thinley.
He also added that they are over 300 former members of security. However, only around 180 members were able to attend the long life offering ceremony conducted by Thomtog Rinpoche, the abbot of Namgyal Monastery.
Born as Lhamo Dhundup in a small peasant family in Taktser, Amdo on July 6, 1935, he was recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama at the age of two. He assumed political duties at the age of 16 till his complete devolution of political powers in 2011.
