His Holiness the Dalai Lama giving a brief teaching inside the main prayer hall of Sed-Gyued monastery. Photo: Dawa Tsering | CTA
By — BT NEWSDESK
Siliguri: Following His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s arrival to Siliguri (West Bengal) from Gangtok, a massive number of followers and devotees joyously received the Buddhist leader to Sed-Gyued monastery in Salugara for His teaching earlier this morning.
Upon arrival, the abbot of Sed-Gyued monastery Lobsang Wangdue, along with Tibetan Settlement Officers of Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Sonada, offered mandalas to His Holiness the Dalai Lama inside the monastery’s main prayer hall, where His Holiness briefly addressed the state dignitaries, reverent lamas, organising committees, and Tibetan representatives.
Reiterating the significance of religious harmony and prioritisation of the humanitarian message that He conveyed during the teaching in Gangtok, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Himalayan people for displaying the utmost respect for Him. His Holiness declared His religious engagements successful and reassured them that he feels utterly healthy and happy despite hectic engagements in parts of east India.
As His Holiness begins actual teaching for the general public from the monastery’s stoop, He said, “The most essential principle of Buddhism is being kind and compassionate to others rather than simply conducting religious rites.” Given the benefits of such an altruistic mindset in attaining self-contentment, a “compassionate mind will also promote harmonious relations between peoples irrespective of religious or political backgrounds.” The internationally known Nobel Laureate for Peace emphasised generation and broadening of the innate compassionate nature through consideration of all 8 billion people as the same living beings who want happiness, including other sentient beings, while disapproving petty disputes originating from minor differences.
“Advancement and multiplication of weaponry will always fail to bring world peace. So therefore, the promotion of compassion and humanity is the only long-term solution to achieve it,” stated His Holiness. Despite Chinese government’s repeated efforts to cause hardships for the Tibetan people, His Holiness said he always commiserate upon them and have never been exasperated by their deeds. He implored people to put greater effort into promotion of compassionate and harmonious world while setting aside conflicts caused by one-sided perception. The 88-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader then gave spiritual instructions to the devotees and concluded the teaching.
Lobsang Wangdue, abbot of Sed-Gyued monastery, offering a mandala to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Photo: Dawa Tsering | CTA
Security Kalon Dolma Gyari standing beside the throne seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as He gives teaching to the general audience. Photo: Dawa Tsering | CTA
His Holiness the Dalai Lama conferring teaching at Sed-Gyued monastery in Salugara. Photo: Dawa Tsering | CTA
A nun in the audience following His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s spiritual instructions. Photo: Dawa Tsering | CTA
A large number of followers and devotees are listening to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teaching at Sed-Gyued monastery in Salugara. Photo: Dawa Tsering | CTA
