Leh(Ladakh), July 06, - Ladakh Buddhist Organisation in collaboration with Tibetan Settlement Ladakh organised a grand function to celebrate the 83rd birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama here at Jewaytsal today.
On this occasion, His Holiness Skyabgon Chetsang Rinpochey, Galdan Thizur Rinpoche, His Eminence Thiksay Rinpochey, and other precious Rinpoches and reincarnated Tulkus, monks, nuns, MP Thupstan Tsewang, MLC Tsering Dorjey Lakrook, MLA Leh Nawang Rigzin Jora, Officiating CEC LAHDC Leh Gyal P Wangyal, ECs, DC Avny Lavasa, SSP Sargun Shukla, Councillors, various departmental, political, religious and social heads were also present. Thousands of devotees including young and old, Ladakhi and Tibetan, national and international flocked the teaching ground of Jewaytsal to join the grand celebration.
HH Dalai Lama thanked the entire people of Ladakh for showing so much of love and respect by celebrating his birthday with such gaiety and enthusiasm. HH in his address to the huge gathering of devotees from different parts of world, India and Ladakh said the 7 billion population of the world has the potential for loving kindness and compassionate mind and heart and as such each and every one must work together for peace and a secure world to live in. Scientifically every human have these natural qualities, and conscious stress should be given to keep it alive for well being of self and the world at large, said HH and therefore it is the responsibility of each and every person to work on generating compassionate mind and heart, added HH.
HH mentioning about his global leader friends of different religion said they all have strong ideology for love, compassion, kindness and peace where Buddhism has much more to offer in the field of psychology and logic which can be practised by everyone irrespective of religious faith for global peace, love, and peaceful coexistence. Taking Ladakh as a good example of communal harmony, HH stressed for continuous work on this quality for the world to follow.
His Holiness talking about the need of propogation of Nalanda tradition for global interest said that it has emphasis on psychological, metaphysics and physiological studies for generating compassionate and peaceful mind. As Nalanda tradition which is basesd on the core values of Buddha’s teaching with volumes of Kangyur and Stangyur, the responsibility lies on the people of entire Himlayan belt to study and practice them for a better future. HH also urged the younger generation towards studying bhoti script to get the real essence of the volumes of Kangyur and Stangyur.
Talking about the recent conference in Delhi on Buddhist Culture and Identity of Himalayan region, Dalai Lama appreciated the resolutions to revive and preserve the Nalanda tradition and to convert the monasteries into learning centres adding that it would go a long way in infusing the values of Buddha’s teachings and sustainability of Buddhism.
Earlier, the grand function began with lighting of lamp followed by Indian and Tibetan national anthem followed by the cake cutting ceremony.
LBA President Tsewang Thinles in his welcome speech expressed this heartfelt gratitude to HH for showering his blessings by his presence to Ladakh and for the opportunity to celebrate his 83rd birthday in his presence.
Talking about the importance of each day of His Holiness’s life for the entire sentient being Thinles said that life of Dalai Lama is itself a guarantee for world peace and is highly beneficial for not only Buddhist community but for the entire world. He then talked about the activities of LBA in imparting cultural, and traditional based initiatives to young students of the land and sought blessings and guidelines of the precious Rinpoches. Thinles then gave assurance to HH to follow all his preachings and advices.
Officiating CEC, LAHDC Leh EC Health Gyal P Wangyal in his speech congratulated HH on his 83rd birthday and said HH is the source of wisdom and compassion and is a positive example of how to make the world a better place to live and thrive on. Giving the importance of Ladakh in terms of a trade centre in the past and a thriving tourist destination in recent years, with passing of time in view of limited resources, Ladakh is working hard with respect of conservation and spirit of self reliance, a strong sense of interdependence. We have strong desire to preserve our cultural values while embracing modern development further enriching our cultural heritage and social processes through imbibing democratic principles and universal human values of our constitution and human charter, said Wangyal. He then briefly talked about the contributions of the LAHDC in shaping and leading Ladakh towards sustainable development.
On the occasion, representative from Mongolia Ven. Woeser Rinpoche, President CTA Dr. Lobsang Sangay, President Anjuman Imamia Ali Barcha, and Chairman Local Tibetan Assembly Leh Dondup Tsering also spoke.
On the occasion, an outcome in recently held conference on preservation of Buddhist Culture and Identity of Himlayan region was presented to His Holiness Dalai Lama by His Eminence Lochen Tulku Roinpoche, and Maliong Gonbo Director Tawang Foundaiton, Arunachal Pradesh. Tsetan Wangchuk, Chief Representative Officer Sonamling Tibetan Settlement Ladakh gave the vote of thanks.
On the occasion, HH presented a Thank you India souvenir to the LAHDC.
HH was presented with a souvenir of Dharmachakra (the wheel of dharma) by Tibetan people in Leh and Changthang area.
Various Ladakhi and Tibetan folk song and dance added colour to the occasion.
