Thousands of Tibetan students join Dalai Lama's special education program

The Buddhist Channel, 31 May 2023

DHARAMSALA, India - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama launched a two-day special education for Tibetan adolescents on Tuesday. More than 2,000 students from various schools and universities at home and abroad gathered on Tuesday at Tuglakkan, Tibet's main temple here in Dharamsala.

Every year the Dalai Lama passes on his teachings, especially to the younger generation. Tibetan spiritual leaders impart teachings on human values ​​and the three devotional objects (kyapdro ngotro), and also perform ceremonies to generate bodhicitta (semkye).

Tibetan students find these teachings very important as the Dalai Lama always strives to develop human values. Tenzin Chodong, a Tibetan student, said, "Since His Holiness is here to give us a speech, we are all encouraged to participate in this event specially organized for Tibetan youth. He's here, he's guru to us, so this is very important to us.” We feel so lucky and blessed. I want to cry.

Another Tibetan student, Tshering Dicky, said, "Today all the Tibetan students are here to participate in a special spiritual class organized for us." It is very important for us to know which values ​​we have to pass on to the younger generation. I feel very happy and lucky to be here for this event. ”

Earlier, Tibetan Buddhist monks in Shimla performed a traditional cham (rama dance) to celebrate Guru Padmasambhava's birthday.

The Tibetan Buddhist Dorjedak Monastery in Pantagati near Shimla attracted many monks. Through these rituals, Tibetan Buddhist monks prayed for mercy and world peace.

Before the dance performance, monks and other Tibetans offered prayers to Guru Padmasambhava. The Rama dance represents the drama of the arrival of Guru Padmasambhava's eight reincarnations and welcomed the teacher here. The dance is performed with traditional Tibetan instruments and the monks wear masks and traditional hats. Buddhist monks here believe that this is done to show respect for Guru Padmasambhava.

The day of the dance performance is celebrated as his birthday. All Buddhist monks wish His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other high-ranking lamas a long life. Tibetan monks also perform dances to pray for world peace and preserve centuries-old traditions.

People from the Tibetan community also gathered here to watch the rich traditional dances performed by the monks. Local residents of the Tibetan Buddhist community in exile here willingly participated in the sutra chanting.

Locals in the Tibetan community believe the guru's sermons are important in spreading the message of Buddhism, compassion and peace.