From left: Dalai Lama's younger sister Jetsun Pema, Khen Rinpoche, Richard Gere's girlfriend Alejandra Silva, Richard Gere, and Jetsun Pema's husband Tempa Tsering, in a group photo taken in Bodh Gaya, India, on 10 January 2017. Tibet Sun/Lobsang Wangyal
By Lobsang Wangyal
BODH GAYA, India, 10 January 2017
Actor and human rights activist Richard Gere was among thousands of devotees at a religious event of the Dalai Lama in Bodh Gaya, a small village in eastern India where the Buddha is believed to have achieved enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago.
Gere and his Spanish girlfriend Alejandra Silva are among nearly 8,000 foreigners attending the religious event. There are in addition about 2,000 devotees from mainland China and Hong Kong.
Security Secretary of the Central Tibetan Administration Wangchuk Phasur told Tibet Sun that there are about 200,000 devotees attending the event. The main Kalachakra began today, after preliminary teachings which have been held since 3 January. The event will end on the 14th.
Earlier during a press conference on Sunday, Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong (Prime Minister) of the Central Tibetan Administration, criticised the Chinese government for recalling Tibetans from Tibet to return.
The Chinese government had recalled Tibetan pilgrims, asking their family members to call them back, failing which they have been warned of severe punishments.
Since then a few thousand have gone back.
Phasur added that the Bihar state has provided “a foolproof security system” for the Dalai Lama, and the event has been going on smoothly as planned.
Sakya Trizin, the head lama of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, has been attending the event. The Karmapa Lama is likely to join the event from tomorrow.
Gere told Tibet Sun that he has been coming to Bodh Gaya sine 1985. “My friend Khen Rinpoche was ordained the first time we came here in 1985. I have a lot of memories here. I have been here many times since then.”
Speaking about the Kalachakra, he added, “Obviously His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) is getting stronger and stronger. Usually it’s the other way round. So many devotees. We couldn’t get more people [into the venue]. It’s impossible.”
When asked what changes he would make after attending the Kalachakra, he said, “I take all the vows but of course I can’t keep them. Especially the one that’s everything is a dream.”
The Kalachakra Empowerment is an intricate Buddhist ritual given by a lama (master) that helps transform disciples to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.
The Dalai Lama said that he has no blessing to offer. “The real blessing will come from serving the poor and the needy,” he said, as he readied those who wished to be initiated into the practice of the Kalachakra tantra by asking them to pledge to have compassion toward all beings, and to work for the benefit of others.
I have been following His Holiness Dalai Lama’s website and found many interesting articles/talks on leading a happy and peaceful life.
May His Holiness The Dala Lama find peace and tranquility among his people and the many well-wishers who visit him including Richard Gere.
May the religious ceremony bring joy to his people and to the troubled world as well.
Who would like to miss this rare chance of meeting perfect teacher, (His Holiness the Dalai Lama), hearing of sublime teachings (Kalachakra Initiations), at the holiest Buddhist sites (Bodhgaya), and the gathering of noble disciples (Head of all four Tibetan Buddhist Schools/Tulkus/geshes/Geshe ma/lay devotees etc., all in one place.
Let us all join the 34th Kalachakra Initiations and dedicate our merits to all sentient beings.
Those of us who could not join at the above venue let their thoughts and mind be with the Kalachakra Abhishek.
May His Holiness the Dalai Lama continue to bestow such teachings and empowerment in the years to come.
The Kalachakra initiation is going on very smoothly as planned by the CTA. It is a great moment for all of us who believe in the teaching of Lord Buddha, and we are certainly very fortunate for being able to receive this empowerment from His Holiness the Dalai lama.
There are many reasons for us to rejoice and celebrate the gathering of so many followers from all over the world, sharing the desire to develop a compassionate mind to make our world more peaceful. I hope and pray that His Holiness continues to give Kalachakra initiation for many more years. His teaching helps to create a harmonious society where all artificial barriers automatically disappear.