His Holiness the Dalai Lama Consecrates Maitreya Statue at Disket Monastery
July 27th 2010
Nubra Valley, Ladakh, J&K, India, 26 July 2010 (tibetonline.tv) – His Holiness the Dalai Lama blessed a newly installed Maitreya statue during a ceremony at Ladakh’s Disket Monastery (Dekyi Gonpa in Tibetan) on Sunday.
Dressed in their best traditional costumes, a large number of local people attended the ceremony during which many important dignitaries including His Eminence the 102nd Gaden Tripa, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Thiksey Rinpoche were present.
The 100 feet high statue of Maitreya (Gyalwa Jampa) was built at a cost of around Rs 2 crores with the collaboration of Disket Kunrog Tsogpa and Disket Jamgon Sarsheng Nyamrog Thundel Tsogpa.
While laying the foundation stone in 2007 His Holiness the Dalai Lama had said he has started the construction work and would give the final touch by blessing the statue on its completion.
According to Thiksey Rinpoche, the Maitreya statue was installed to help spread the teachings of Buddha in general, for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to ward off epidemics and calamities. It was also aimed to sustain peace in the Nubra valley which is located on the borders of China and Pakistan, he added.
In his address, His Holiness the Dalai Lama praised the efforts made in the successful installation of the Matireya statue. His Holiness underlined that one should have the motivation of love in the heart on hearing the name of Maitreya.
His Holiness expressed his appreciation for the progress made in health, education and keeping spiritual vows and disciplines in the monastic learning centres due to the efforts of many concerned officials in Ladakh.
Speaking of crucial environmental issues, His Holiness said each and every individual of the community should have awareness about the problems of global warming, which he said is related to the happiness and well-being of the whole world. His Holiness said his friend, named Bahuguna, had given him the responsibility to speak about environment preservation wherever he visits in the Himalayan region. Appealing to the local people to take responsibility in protecting the environment, His Holiness said people living in the Himalayan region should focus on tree plantation, which he said would add to the landscapes’ greenery and bring peace and happiness of mind in the day to day life.
Chief Minister Abdullah said the blessing of the Maitreya statue would bring peace and happiness not only to Nubra valley but also to the whole world including India and the entire Indian Jammu & Kashmir state. He stated that it was very fortunate that members of four generations of his family had received the opportunity to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/566-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-consecrates-maitreya-statue-at-disket-monastery
Himalayan Regions Have Special Responsibility to Preserve Buddhism, Says HH the Dalai Lama
July 26th 2010
Nubra Valley, Ladakh, J&K, India, 23 July 2010 (tibetonlinetv.com) – After presiding over a Buddhist philosophical debate at a school in Ladakh yesterday, His Holiness said it is right to describe Buddhism as the precious gem of this world in general, and as the symbol of Himalayan regions in particular. Therefore, it is not only the monks and nuns, but that of lay people’s responsibility to study the teachings of Buddha, he added.
Tibet has been undergoing great difficulties for the last 60 years, said His Holiness, expressing hope that the changes taking place in the world in general and China in particular would gradually bring positive change in Tibet.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama reminded the people of Himalayan regions of their bounden duties to make use of the freedom and opportunity to study and preserve Tibetan Buddhism, which he said is passing through a difficult phase in Tibet.
Since the Tibetan Buddhism is a common religion followed by both Tibetans and the people living in Himalayan regions, the latter should make great efforts to preserve the whole set of teachings and commentaries of Buddha and Nalanda masters, His Holiness said.
Monks debate on Buddhist philosophy during His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visit to Samgon Jamtse Thosamling school in Ladakh. The debate was organised by Samgon Jamtse Thosamling School in its effort to follow the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in promoting Buddhist teachings. The participants asked many questions during the debate which focused on role of the people of Himalayan regions in sustaining the rich Nalanda traditions and how to become a genuine 21st century Buddhist.
In his address to the gathering, His Eminence the Gaden Tripa Rizong Rinpoche spoke about the remarkable life histories of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and his predecessor, the Great 13th Dalai Lama.
There are presently 45 students at Samgon Jamtse Thosamling School and those students completing class VIII from this school are send to three major learning centres of Tibetan Buddhism in South India. Established in 1998, the school imparts modern education like computer courses in addition to classes on Buddhist dialectics.
The students took part in a debate on Buddhist philosophy during visit His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s previous visit to the school in 2003.Geshe Yeshi Gyaltsen, who teaches Buddhist dialectics at the school, said: “in accordance to advise of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the responsibility of preserving Buddhism in its pristine form by the people of Himalayan regions, the religious debate organised today was meant to be followed in other schools in future.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama departed Samtenling Monastery for Yarma Gonpo Monastery on 23 July.
http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/565-himalayan-regions-have-special-responsibility–to-preserve-buddhism-says-hh-the-dalai-lama
Dalai Lama Arrives in Ladakh on Nine-Day Visit
July 23rd 2010
Nubra Valley, Ladakh, J&K, India, 20 July 2010 (ANI) – Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has reached Nubra Valley in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ladakh region on a nine-day visit to the area.
Hundreds of the Dalai Lama’s well-wishers were standing on the roadsides from Thoise Airport to Samtanling Monastery, carrying traditional ceremonial white scarves, garlands, and incense in their hands, to welcome him and to receive his blessing.
He was received by a number of dignitaries at Thoise Airport.
“Right now the people of Nubra Valley are very happy. People are excited and really enthusiastic about his presence, and they are ready to devote themselves to him. This is his fourth visit to the valley,” said Urgen Tsering, President, Ladakh Buddhist Association.
Buddhist monks welcomed the Dalai Lama with religious fervour at the Samtanling Gonpa monastery, playing religious musical instruments and drums.
“There is no measurement for the happiness that we all are feeling. In morning, the weather was not good and we got this information that there would be some changes in the timings of his flight. But it is our good luck that Dalai LamaJi has come to our valley. He reached here half-an-hour before and all the people of Nubra Valley are overwhelmed with his presence, ” said Tsering Angchuk, Executive Councilor, Ladakh Autonomous District Council, Leh (LAHDC).
http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/564-dalai-lama-arrives-in-ladakh-on-nine-day-visit
