Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay addressing the prayer ceremony presided by Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche at Sherbaling monastery in Bir, Himachal Pradesh. From left: Justice Commissioner Mr Ngawang Choedak, Tai Situ Rinpoche, Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche and Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel of the Tibetan Parliament.
BIR, HP: Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok of the Tibetan Parliament today attended a special prayer ceremony to mark the auspicious tenth-day of Guru Padmasambhava Gran Puja and Vajra Nyitham (Lama Dance).
The prayer ceremony was held at Palpung Sherabling monastery based in Upper Bhattu near Bir Tibetan Settlement in Himachal Pradesh. The prayer ceremony was presided over by 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche Ogyen Trinley Dorje.
Other dignitaries at the ceremony include members of the Tibetan Parliament, Tibetan Justice Commissioners, heads of various Kagyu traditions and representatives from Tibetan governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche, in his address, expressed his pleasure at being able to attend the special prayer for Guru Rinpoche with Tai Situ Rinpoche. “After 16 long years, I got an opportunity to celebrate great Palpung Guru Rinpoche’s auspicious tenth-day ceremony with 12th Kenting Tai Situ Rinpoche. So it is a really lucky day for me,” Rinpoche said.
Rinpoche further urged the public to follow His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s guidance and unite our efforts to restore the rich religious and cultural heritage of Tibet. He also explained the importance of Guru Rinpoche in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
Addressing the gathering, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay spoke about the rich ancient knowledge of India particularly the Nalanda School of thought that has been preserved by Tibetan Buddhists over the centuries.
He also expressed his personal good fortune for receiving the blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the auspicious Guru Rinpoche tenth-day ceremony at Rewalsar in September this year.
He also said that his first swearing-in ceremony as Kalon Tripa was intentionally marked to coincide with the tenth-day of the Tibetan lunar calendar, to symbolise the auspiciousness of the day.
Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, paid tributes to the great sages of India including Guru Rinpoche for bringing Buddhism to Tibet. He said that the rich Tibetan Buddhist culture has its roots in India and applauded Sherabling monastery for preserving the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in its purest form.
He also lauded Palpung Sherabling monastery for its emphasis on education and rigorous study of the Tibetan Buddhist texts to advance the Dharma.
The highlight of the prayer ceremony was the Vajra Nyitham (Lama Dance) that is performed by the monks of the monastery.
At least a thousand people including Tibetans and other Buddhist devotees attended the prayer ceremony.
Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel of the Tibetan Parliament at the special prayer ceremony of Guru Rinpoche at Sherabling monastery, Bir.