Third Day of ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ & Long-Life Empowerment
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to the crowd at the conclusion of his teachings in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 30, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India – Substantial rain yesterday evening that left large patches of the Shiwatsel teaching ground waterlogged seemed to have done little to dissuade devotees from attending the third and final day of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s public teachings in Leh. The organizers, the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) estimated that 60,000 turned out.
As soon as His Holiness sat down after greeting the crowd, he was called upon to release a book documenting his visits to Ladakh over the last 50 years by Tsering Sonam from Sasphol.
“Today is the third and concluding day of our public teachings,” he declared. “First of all I’ll finish reading Chapter 6 of ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’. Then I’ll give a White Tara Long-Life Empowerment, following which a Long-Life Offering will be presented to me. In this case, disciples should make prayers and the Lama will pray too. Because of the spiritual bond between the two, much like that between children and parents, Kadampa Geshe Potowa said the prayers may be effective.
“Later the Honourable Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Smt. Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed will join us. Now, while I make preparations, you please recite prayers.”
Resuming his reading of Shantideva’s text, His Holiness remarked that although we may pursue the eight worldly concerns, they do not bring us much benefit. The most important factor in our pursuit of enlightenment, however, is the cultivation of compassion. The biggest obstacle to that is anger, but patience, the subject of this chapter, acts as a counter force to that. Read the rest of this entry »
‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ Teaching Continues – Second Day
His Holiness the Dalai Lama waving to the westerners attending the second day of his teachings at the Shiwatsel teaching ground in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 29, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India – When His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived on the stage of the Shiwatsel teaching pavilion this morning, students from the Tibetan Children’s Village School were challenging students from Ladakh Public School in debate. He waved to the audience, Westerners on the left, Chinese speakers on the right, Ladakhis and Tibetans, red-robed monastics in the front, filling the rest of the ground.
He lost no time in starting to teach after reciting the single verse of Praise for the Perfection Wisdom by Rahula:
Homage to the Perfection Wisdom,
Tatyatha – gateh, gateh, paragateh, parasamgateh, bodhi svaha
“We face countless problems. Day by day people bring their suffering and problems to me. All of them arise as a result of our relation to our psycho-physical aggregates, our combination of body and mind. In discussing whether our problems could be overcome, the Buddha asked whether suffering was part of our intrinsic nature. If it were, we would be unable to overcome it. In stating that suffering is distinct from the nature of the mind, he declared that it can be overcome. We can achieve true cessation. Read the rest of this entry »
‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ Teaching Continues – First Day
His Holiness the Dalai Lama during the first day of his three day teaching in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 28, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India – This morning, after greeting the dozens who, wherever he goes, congregate to see his smile, hear his words of comfort, or feel his calming touch, His Holiness walked to the gate of Shiwatsel Phodrang compound. He climbed into a car to drive to the teaching pavilion at the far end of the teaching ground. Thousands lined to the way to greet him. Closer to the pavilion, local women in their finery, drummers, horn players, monks with their own horns and a ceremonial umbrella waited to welcome him. Just before entering the building he spent a couple of minutes consoling chronically ailing Tibetans.
Once inside the pavilion, he saluted the statue of the Buddha, and, catching the eye of several old friends as he went walked down the edge of the stage, where from the centre, left and right corners he waved to the estimated 40,000 strong crowd. Having greeted Lamas and monks to his right he took his seat. Children from the Ladakh Public School who had been demonstrating how adept they are in debate sat down. Students of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies then began a melodious chant of the ‘Heart Sutra’ in Sanskrit.
“We’re going to continue this teaching from where we left off last year,” His Holiness explained. “We finished the first three chapters of ‘Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ then, so we’ll start now with Chapter 4 – Conscientiousness. The author, Shantideva, was a great master of Nalanda, a follower of Nagarjuna. I received this teaching from the Kinnauri Master Tenzin Gyaltsen, who assured me that no greater explanation of how to cultivate the awakening mind of bodhichitta had been composed since this book was written in 8th century. He taught it to me in 1967 and it has been very beneficial for my mind. He told me it would be good if I could teach it to others as often as I could. Read the rest of this entry »
Seminar on ‘Communal Harmony – Foundation of World Peace’
His Holiness the Dalai Lama greeting the audience as he arrives on stage at the start of the Seminar on Communal Harmony at the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 27, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India – This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama attended a Seminar in the auditorium of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies on its spacious campus in nearby Choglamsar. The theme was ‘Communal Harmony – Foundation of World Peace’ and the occasion was a celebration of the centenary of the birth of the great 20th century leader of Ladakh, Bakula Rinpoche. The meeting had the further distinction of being organized by the Youth Wings of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (YWLBA), the Anjuman Imamia and the Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam. Read the rest of this entry »
India Today ruffles China’s feathers by excluding Taiwan and Tibet from map
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — In a bizarre reversal of fortune, instead of the usual erroneous inclusion of Taiwan in a map of China, the cover of the latest issue of the magazine India Today, not only excludes Taiwan from Chinese territory, but it also carved away Tibet from its posterior, while a tiny green chick in the shape of Pakistan stands behind it.
The creative illustration for its cover story, titled “China’s New Chick,” which analyzes China and Pakistan’s growing economic ties, was selected as the “The Cover of the Day” by the Society of Publication Designers (SPD), New York.
China’s Sina News quickly responded by asking “Where’s our Tibet and Taiwan?” In the article, India Today claims that the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) is laying the groundwork for a “takeover of Pakistan by China,” for it to eventually become “China’s colony.”
The question from the Taiwanese media is why the editors of the magazine decided to exclude Tibet and Taiwan from the illustration and what message were they trying to convey. Thus far, there have been no public comments by the editors of the magazine on the subject. Read the rest of this entry »
Inauguration of Dudjom Nunnery, Shey and Visit to Id-Gah, Leh
His Holiness the Dalai Lama with nuns who demonstrated Buddhist philosophical debate during the inauguration ceremony at Dudjom Nunnery in Shey, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 26, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India – The road from Shiwatsel to Shey runs parallel to the Indus River, at certain points winding through clusters of white-washed stupas. As usual, groups of local people lined the road to catch a glimpse of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as he passed this morning. Once he turned off the main highway, heading for the Dudjom Nunnery in Upper Shey, both sides of the road were lined by local people including hundreds of smiling school children, neat in their uniforms. His Holiness was welcomed as he stepped out of the car by Urgyen Rinpoche and almost immediately several members of the crowd lunged forward, their heads thrashing to and fro, apparently possessed. As security officers restrained them, His Holiness’s touch or kind gesture seemed to subdue them. At the threshold of the Nunnery’s new temple, His Holiness cut the ribbon, recited prayers of consecration and pushed open the doors indicating the temple’s inauguration. At the foot of a Thousand Armed, Thousand Eyed Statue of Arya Lokeshvara, perhaps fifteen metres tall, he lit a lamp, before taking his seat facing the assembly of Lamas, monks, nuns, and other guests. Tea and ceremonial sweet rice were served as prayers were recited, including an evocation of the Medicine Buddha, the Seven Line Prayer to Guru Padmasambhava and a Praise of the Twelve Deeds of the Buddha. Read the rest of this entry »
SOS Tibetan Children’s Village School, Ladakh
Local Tibetans performing for His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his visit to Tibetan Childrens’ Village School Choglamsar in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 25, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India – A short drive this morning took His Holiness the Dalai Lama from Shiwatsel Phodrang to the SOS Tibetan Children’s Village School in Choglamsar. The Director and Principal met him on arrival, while the children provided a traditional welcome that included the ‘chema changpu’ offering and the Tashi Shölpa dance. As he walked to the covered stage above the school ground, His Holiness greeted and reached out to the many elderly and infirm people waiting in hope of seeing him. In a summary report, the School Director, Chemey Lhundup, explained that the school was established in 1975 and at present has 1653 students and 246 staff. He announced that students would give a presentation of debate. The challengers opened with lines from Dharmakirti’s ‘Commentary on Valid Cognition’ (Pramanavarttika) and continued to discuss aspects of colour. Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Visit to Matho Monastery
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to monks and dignitaries in the main assembly hall of Matho Monastery in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 20, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India – The sun was blazing hot when it broke through scattered clouds this morning as His Holiness the Dalai Lama turned off the main road at Choglamsar and crossed the local bridge over the River Indus. Schoolchildren and local residents lined the road to greet him as his car drove through the villages of Chuchot Yakma, Chuchot Shama and Chuchot Gongma. Near the edge of the valley, the arid, sandy landscape gave way to neat walls around green fields punctuated by willow groves. The road began to climb, culminating at the entrance to Matho Monastery standing on a hilltop with a sweeping view back to Thiksey and Shey. Read the rest of this entry »
PORTE CHIUSE PER I TIBETANI
L’Italia da moltissimi anni tiene un rapporto privilegiato con il mondo della diaspora Tibetana in India. Qui, oltre 150mila rifugiati vivono in insediamenti donati dal Governo Indiano dopo l’occupazione del Tibet da parte della Repubblica Popolare Cinese nel 1950 e l’esilio dello stesso Dalai Lama nel 1959.
Innumerevoli e costanti sono le visite del Dalai Lama, Nobel per la Pace nel 1989, nel nostro paese, dove ha ricevuto la cittadinanza onoraria da parte di città importanti (Roma, Milano, Palermo, Padova, Torino, Firenze, Rimini, Venezia etc. in totale sono oltre 20) lauree ad honorem da prestigiose università e riconoscimenti vari per la sua instancabile opera di diffusione della cultura della nonviolenza e del metodo del dialogo per la risoluzione dei conflitti. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s Official: Happiness Really Can Improve Health
The review, published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being , examines the effects of “subjective well-being”—a measure of how people evaluate their own lives—on various aspects of physical health. The topic has been studied extensively; the paper references more than 20 previous literature reviews and more than 150 individual studies. Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Zanskar
His Holiness the Dalai Lama unveiling a plaque marking the Zanskar Health Care & Sowa Rigpa Research Institute inauguration in Padum, Zanskar, J&K, India on July 16, 2017. Photo by Lobsang Tsering/OHHDL
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India – On the day following his return by road from the Nubra Valley, Sunday, 16th July, His Holiness the Dalai Lama flew by helicopter from Leh to Padam, capital of Zanskar. He was welcomed on arrival by local officials and members of the committee that had organized his visit.
At the Zanskar Health Care & Sowa Rigpa Research Institute, which has received funding support from the Dalai Lama Trust, His Holiness unveiled a plaque marking the Institute’s inauguration and said auspicious prayers. Tea and sweet rice were served. The Chairman, Ven Chosphel Zodpa, introduced the occasion. In addressing the 3000 people in attendance, His Holiness paid tribute to the volunteers from abroad, mostly doctors and nurses from the USA and dentists from Italy, who have been treating the local people. He expressed appreciation of their dedication to providing health care where it was most needed in this remote and under-developed region. Read the rest of this entry »
Vi sarebbero i rapporti con la Cina alla base dei visti negati
Il provvedimento appare anomalo Read the rest of this entry »
L’Italia nega il visto d’ingresso ai profughi tibetani
Stupore e sconcerto ha destato la notizia che il governo italiano nega il visto d’ingresso in Italia ai profughi tibetani in possesso del documento d’identità loro rilasciato dal governo indiano.
Il documento (Identity Certificate), riconosciuto come valido da tutti i paesi dell’area Schengen ad eccezione della Svezia e del Portogallo, fino a poche settimane fa veniva accettato senza problemi dal nostro paese per il rilascio dei visti ai rifugiati tibetani.
Di seguito l’articolo di Raimondo Bultrini pubblicato su Repubblica.it in data 12 luglio: Read the rest of this entry »
Liu Xiaobo: le condoglianze del Dalai Lama
Liu Xiaobo
Dharamshala (AsiaNews) – Il Dalai Lama ha espresso profonda tristezza per la morte del dissidente cinese Liu Xiaobo e ha offerto le proprie condoglianze alla moglie Liu Xia e alla famiglia. “Sono profondamente rattristato nell’apprendere che il compianto premio Nobel Liu Xiaobo è scomparso mentre stava subendo una lunga condanna al carcere. Offro le preghiere e le condoglianze a sua moglie, Liu Xia ed agli altri membri della sua famiglia “, ha detto. “Anche se non è più vivo, possiamo meglio onorare Liu Xiabo portando avanti i principi che da tempo aveva incarnato, che porterebbero ad una Cina più armoniosa, stabile e prospera”, ha aggiunto. Il Dalai Lama ha concluso affermando: “È mia convinzione che gli sforzi ininterrotti di Liu Xiaobo per la causa della libertà daranno frutti a lungo”. Read the rest of this entry »
The Chinese occupation of Tibet gives Beijing strategic control over river waters in Asia.
The Chinese occupation of Tibet gives Beijing great strategic depth and control over river waters in Asia. The stand-off between India and Bhutan on one side and China on the other at Doklam, a tri-junction once between India, Tibet and Bhutan, and the larger border dispute between the two Asian giants, have their origins in the British invasion of Tibet in 1904. Read the rest of this entry »
Storia di Liu Xiaobo, il Nobel che sognava un’altra Cina Continua a leggere: Storia di Liu Xiaobo, il Nobel che sognava un’altra Cina
Liu Xiaobo è morto giovedì 13 luglio dopo una lenta agonia. Si è spento a sessantuno anni l’attivista democratico e premio Nobel per la Pace 2010, primo firmatario dell’appello manifesto ‘Charta 08’ per i diritti umani e la libertà di espressione. Liu era stato ricoverato nel Primo Ospedale di Shenyang, nella provincia nordorientale di Liaoning, dopo la scarcerazione per motivi di salute. Solo il 23 maggio scorso, aveva riferito il mese scorso il suo avvocato Mo Shaoping, gli era stato diagnosticato il cancro al fegato in fase terminale: troppo tardi per salvargli la vita. Liu era uno dei prominenti intellettuali del dissenso in Cina; letterato, scrittore, critico letterario e docente universitario. Una vita spesa a diffondere la libertà di pensiero: tra il 2003 e il 2007 aveva ricoperto il ruolo di presidente dell’Independent Chinese Pen Centre, organizzazione no-profit che sostiene la libertà di espressione degli scrittori cinesi, e aveva diretto la rivista di orientamento democratico Minzhu Zhongguo (“Cina democratica”), fondata negli anni Novanta.
“Internet è il dono di Dio alla Cina”.
Liu Xiaobo
Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Deeply Saddened by Liu Xiaobo’s Passing Away
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Deeply Saddened by Liu Xiaobo’s Passing Away I am deeply saddened to learn that fellow Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo has passed away while undergoing a lengthy prison sentence. I offer my prayers and condolences to his wife, Liu Xia and to other members of his family.
Although he is no longer living, the rest of us can best pay honor to Liu Xiaobo by carrying forward the principles he has long embodied, which would lead to a more harmonious, stable and prosperous China.
It is my belief that Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo’s unceasing efforts in the cause of freedom will bear fruit before long.
THE DALAI LAMA
July 14, 2017
His Holiness the Dalai Lama ‘In Praise of Dependent Origination’
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking to the crowd during his teaching in Sumur, Nubra Valley, J&K, India on July 14, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Samstanling Monastery, Sumur, Nubra Valley, J&K, India – When His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived at the teaching ground set in a hillside orchard below Samstanling Monastery this morning, young monks were engaged in intense debate before the throne. He greeted a packed audience estimated to number 6000: “Once again we’re able to gather in this delightfully shaded garden. With us is the incomparable Ganden Trisur Rinpoche, who when he occupied the Ganden Throne, when he was Abbot of Drepung and when he was Abbot of Gyumey Tratsang, the Lower Tantric College, worked tirelessly to improve the education of the monks under his care. I’d like to thank him. “The Heart Sutra we have just recited is also known as the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra in Twenty-five Lines. The Perfection of Wisdom Sutras are the principal teachings of the Buddha. Maitreya’s ‘Ornament for Clear Realization’ explains their implicit content, which is why I like to repeat the verse of salutation from it. Nagarjuna’s ‘Fundamental Wisdom’ explains the explicit content and I like to repeat the verse of salutation from that too. Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama ‘37 Practices of Bodhisattvas’, 3 Essential Points and a White Tara Long-Life Empowerment
A view of the teaching ground on the final day of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings in Disket, Nubra Valley, J&K, India on July 13, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
‘Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas’, Mitrayogi’s ‘Three Essential Points’ and a White Tara Long-Life Empowerment Disket, Nubra Valley, J&K, India – After rain yesterday evening, it was cooler this morning as His Holiness the Dalai Lama left Disket Monastery Phodrang and made the short drive to the Disket Phodrang. He announced that he would continue reading ‘Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas’ as well as bestow a White Tara Long-Life Empowerment. He recommended that the audience recite the ‘Praise to the Seventeen Masters of Nalanda’ and Tara’s mantra while he undertook the preparatory rituals. When butter tea was served, Read the rest of this entry »
Long-Life Offering Ceremony and Avalokiteshvara Permission
His Holiness the Dalai Lama conducting preparatory rituals for the Avalokiteshvara Permisssion in Disket, Nubra Valley, J&K, India on July 12, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Disket, Nubra Valley, J&K, India – Thiksey Rinpoche met His Holiness the Dalai Lama as he arrived at the Disket Monastery teaching ground this morning and escorted him to his throne. Before taking his seat, His Holiness spent a couple of minutes listening to the nuns who were debating. He announced that he would be giving the permission to practise ‘Avalokiteshvara Who Liberates Beings from All Unfortunate Rebirths’ and that he would conduct the necessary preparations, while the Nubra community made a Long-Life Offering to him. After recitations of a Praise to Buddha Shakyamuni, the Heart Sutra and the Praise to the Seventeen Nalanda Masters the Chant-master began the Long-Life Offering according to rites from the sutra tradition upheld at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. It was based on prayers to the Sixteen Arhats, the Elders who promised to protect the doctrine of Buddha Shakyamuni. When the Long-Life Offering was complete, His Holiness explained that the Avalokiteshvara permission he was about to give derived from the visions of Tagphu Dorje Chang. He remarked that Mitrayogi, who accomplished his practice in dependence on a similar Khasarpani Avalokiteshvara, had received empowerments and blessings from Avalokiteshvara himself, and Tagphu Dorje Chang had visions of the great yogi as well. “ I received the collection of Tagphu’s visionary teachings from Tagdag Rinpoche when I was young,” reported His Holiness. “And I did the required retreat during which I collected 600,000 six-syllable mantras. It’s said that each time you receive this permission it eliminates one rebirth in the lower realms. “ It may be appropriate if I tell you about a dream I had concerning Avalokiteshvara. Many years ago I was already living in Dharamsala and it was shortly before the outbreak of the Cultural Revolution. I dreamt I was in the Lhasa Jokhang, standing before an eleven-headed, thousand armed statue of Avalokiteshvara. He beckoned to me with his eyes and I stepped forward and embraced him. He told me not to be discouraged but to keep on working as well as I could. Shortly afterwards the Cultural Revolution broke out and this statue was one of those destroyed. Fragments of it, including some of the heads, made their way to me in Dharamsala and are now kept safely in the temple there. “The people of Tibet and Ladakh have a special link with Avalokiteshvara and I decided to give this permission as the necessary preliminary to Mitrayogi’s ‘Three Essential Points’ that I plan to teach tomorrow. These points relate to how to practise in this life, close to the time of death and in the intermediate state. Elderly people often seek my blessings, but since there’s not much I can do for them, I thought that through these practices they might help themselves. As the Buddha said—‘You are your own master’. You need to be diligent and fulfil the goal.” Read the rest of this entry »
Teaching ‘Stages of Meditation’ and ‘Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas’ at Disket
Read the rest of this entry »
Thank You from His Holiness the Dalai Lama
I would like to thank everyone who sent kind greetings on the occasion of my 82nd birthday and who joined in celebrating the day in many parts of the world.
As you are probably already aware, my life is guided by three principal commitments — to contribute to bringing about a more compassionate world; to encourage inter-religious harmony, and to work to preserve Tibet’s Buddhist culture, which is a culture of peace and non-violence, while also drawing attention to the need to protect the natural environment of Tibet. Since the Tibetan Plateau is the source of Asia’s major rivers, more than one billion people depend on the water they provide.
Tibet’s Buddhist culture is derived from the traditions of India’s historic Nalanda University, which encouraged dependence on reason and logic over reliance on mere scriptural authority. It adopted an empirical approach, like science, which included a thorough knowledge of the workings of the mind and emotions that remains extremely relevant today.
These are commitments by which I abide myself, but I often ask brothers and sisters who show me affection and respect to consider joining me in upholding them.
In short, may I request you please to help others whenever you can and if for some reason you can’t do that, at least to refrain from doing anyone any harm.
With my prayers and good wishes,
The Dalai Lama
Leh, Ladakh, 9 July 2017
https://www.dalailama.com/news/2017/thank-you-from-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama
His Holiness the Dalai Lama visit Ladakh Public School
Students reaching out to His Holiness the Dalai Lama as he departs from Ladakh Public School in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 8, 2017. Photo by Jeremy Russell/OHHDL
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India – As His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove from the Shiwatsel Phodrang towards Leh this morning, once again well-wishers lined the road with white scarves in their folded hands and joyful smiles on their faces. Even crews of people working on the road stopped work to salute his passing by.
At Ladakh Public School on the edge of Leh, His Holiness was welcomed by school founder and Chairman of the School Board, Noney P. Wangchuk. Small children, their faces a picture of awe and affection, lined the way into the spacious auditorium, where 1600 students awaited their honoured guest.
Principal P.C. Belwal introduced His Holiness to the audience, and the Chairman of the Board gave a brief history of the school. He explained that it had grown from its foundation in 1991 as a kindergarten and now offers a broad, up to date education up to class 10. The school’s success is reflected in some of its students scoring 100 in their maths exams. Recent innovations to the curriculum include the study of Tibetan, dialectics and debate, as well as environmental studies. In 2012 CBSE in Delhi honoured Principal P.C. Belwal as the Best Teacher/ Principal. Read the rest of this entry »
Gli effetti calmanti della respirazione
In verde le connessioni fra alcune cellule del centro della respirazione nel tronco encefalico e aree superiori del cervello (Cortesia Kevin Yackle et al./Science/AAAS)
I neuroni che collegano respirazione e calma – Breathing control center neurons that promote arousal in mice. The calming effect of breathing. Breathing to inspire and arouse. Un minuscolo gruppo di neuroni situato nella parte del tronco encefalico che controlla la respirazione comunica direttamente con una struttura cerebrale coinvolta nelle risposte allo stress. La scoperta potrebbe indicare le basi fisiologiche degli effetti calmanti della meditazione e avere ricadute sullo sviluppo di farmaci contro gli attacchi di panico e altri disturbi
E’ un piccolo gruppo di neuroni nel tronco cerebrale a regolare i rapporti fra la respirazione e le attività cerebrali superiori connesse a uno stato di calma oppure di agitazione. La scoperta è di un gruppo di ricercatori della Stanford University, che firmano un articolo pubblicato su “Science” http://science.sciencemag.org/content/355/6332/1411 . In prospettiva, il risultato può avere ricadute in campo clinico con lo sviluppo di nuove terapie contro gli attacchi di panico e altri disturbi legati a stati di stress.
Read the rest of this entry »
Celebrating His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 82nd Birthday
His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the crowd during celebrations in honor of his 82nd birthday at the Shiwatsel teaching ground in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 6, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India – Celebrations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 82nd birthday began according to established custom with members of his staff and attendants gathering to recite special prayers with him at his residence. From there he walked to the teaching pavilion on the Shiwatsel ground.
At the gate he encountered groups of Europeans and Indians who wished him a happy birthday. He stopped to talk to them about the need to work for a happier more peaceful world by coming to grips with our disturbing emotions. He told them that clear advice about how to do this can be found in the knowledge of ancient India and that the time has come to revive it.
Reaching the podium of the teaching pavilion, His Holiness greeted the growing crowd and told them that many friends in different parts of the world were celebrating his birthday. “In that spirit of friendship I’d like to thank all of you who have gathered here today.” From the throne he explained that a long-life offering was being made according to the rite of the White Tara Wish-fulfilling Wheel and that from his side he would also pray to live long.
As the prayer progressed, the mandala offering was made by Thiksey Rinpoche, while Ganden Trisur, Rizong Rinpoche took the role of Dorje Löbpön. Towards the end, as the procession of offerings was taking place, out on a platform in the middle of the audience, Tibetans in Ngaripa costume sang a Toepa song, the gist of which was, “the Buddhism of the Land of Snow is not in decline so long as we have His Holiness the Dalai Lama”, followed by verses for auspiciousness.
After a short break celebrations resumed. His Holiness came down to the front of the stage to greet members of the audience and took his seat in an armchair. All stood for the Tibetan and Indian national anthems.
Thinles Tsewang, President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association welcomed His Holiness, thanked him for coming, presented a gift to him to mark the occasion and assured him that all present prayed that he live long. A large iced cake was cut and distributed among the guests. Read the rest of this entry »
His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Pilgrimage to Leh Jokhang
Pilgrimage to Leh Jokhang His Holiness the Dalai Lama reciting prayers at the Jokhang in Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India on July 5, 2017. Photo by Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
Leh, Ladakh, J&K, India – Under intermittently cloudy skies, which provided some protection from the blazing sun, His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove from the placid Shiwatsel Phodrang where he stays on the outskirts of Leh into the heart of the city. The road was lined with groups of Ladakhis and Tibetans, including whole classes of school-children in their school uniform, who with smiling faces and folded hands were eager to salute him as he passed. His Holiness got out of his car in the Leh bazaar and walked to the Jokhang gate, shaking hands and exchanging greetings with members of the public as he went. He paid attention to the elderly and infirm seated just inside the gate and greeted old friends on his way to the Main Temple. Once inside he paid his respects before the images of Maitreya, Buddha Shakyamuni, Avalokiteshvara and others and took his seat facing the altar. A prayer to the Buddha was recited and tea served. His Holiness noted with pleasure that most of the congregation joined in, reciting by heart, and asked if they also knew the Heart Sutra, which was chanted too. Read the rest of this entry »
