By Shyamal Sinha
His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited Mahabodhi Temple, the seat of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment to offer prayers on his second day in Bodh Gaya.
With flowers and traditional Tibetan scarves, more than thousands of Tibetans, himalayans and foreign devotees lined up the street leading to the holy site to greet the Tibetan spiritual leader.
At the main entrance of the temple, His Holiness was greeted by Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche and Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche. His Holiness gave his blessings for the 26th Sakya Monlam being held in Gaya and proceeded towards the inner sanctum of the temple and the Bodhi tree.
His Holiness’ upcoming engagements in Bodh Gaya
From 5 to 7 January, His Holiness will give a three-day teaching on Dharmachakra Parivaretan Sutra on The Four Noble Truths (chokyi khorlo korwe do) & Sutra on Dependent Origination (tendrel chi do) in the mornings at the request of Indians.
From 14 – 16 January, His Holiness will give teachings on Nagarjuna’s Commentary on Bodhicitta (jangchup semdrel) & Gyalsey Thokme Sangpos’s Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva (laklen sodunma). His Holiness will also confer the Avalokiteshvera Initiation (chenresig wangchen) on the mornings of January 15 and 16.
Following the initiation on January 16 morning, a long life offering ceremony (tenshug) to His Holiness will be made at the joint request of Lamyn Gegeen Tenzinjamphelchoijisheinen Tulku of Mongolia and Namgyal Monastery.