Prabal Kr Das
TAWANG, Nov 8 – Under a sun-drenched November sky, the fourteenth Dalai Lama today arrived in western Arunachal Pradesh, where along with interacting with the faithful in the Tawang monastery, he inaugurated a museum in the institution. The Dalai Lama, who had first entered Tawang half a century back following his flight from Tibet, arrived by a helicopter from Guwahati, and proceeded to the Tawangmonastery in a convoy, that had vehicles with armed security personnel. There, around 11.10 am, he was greeted by a number of senior monks, as well as young lamas who had seen him for the first time.
After formally opening the museum, he headed to the Dukhang – the main prayer hall – where, according to officials an “offering of Mandala” took place. Sub-sequently, he spent some time with ArunachalPradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and few other eminent pers-onalities.
The first day of his visit also witnessed the Nobel laureate inaugurating the Monastery School Library, and conferring of blessings to the staff and students of the institution.
Tomorrow, he would inaugurate the OPD of district hospital Tawang, and consecrate a statue of the Buddha. Besides, he would plant and distribute saplings with due ceremony.
The Dalai Lama’s tour of Arunachal Pradesh, on this occasion will contain sessions of teaching to different sections of his followers. Tomorrow, he will have two sessions of discourse.
As expected, the Himalayan town of Tawang came alive with the presence of followers of the Dalai Lama from different parts of Arunachal Pradesh as well as abroad. Devotees have poured in from Assam as well as from neighbouring Bhutan. Some of the faithful walked across the Se La area situated at 13,700 feet above sea level.
Chamba Tenzing, a young monk in the Tawang Monastery expressing his delight at the Dalai Lama’s arrival said, “When we see him there is an inexplicable feeling of deep contentment…and when he departs our eyes become moist. He has that effect even on ordinary people,” the monk stated.
“He is a human being, but he is so filled with karuna, that anyone who comes in contact with him will feel his blessed grace,” said Nima, a resident of Tawang, whose father had seen the young Dalai Lama enter Tawang after he had left Tibet.
Sources in the monastery revealed that the regular routine of the Dalai Lama will remain unchanged during the trip to Arunachal. He would wake up in the wee hours and spend time in contemplation and prayers. The days would be interspersed by meetings with several high ranking monks.
A noticeable aspect to this trip has been the intent of all those involved with the tour to disconnect it from any reference to China. An official of the ArunachalPradesh Government who is overseeing arrangements for visitors and pilgrims to Tawang said, “It is a purely personal visit, and its only aim is spiritual. Please avoid giving it a political colouring”.
Interestingly, the Dalai Lama’s visit was marked by the presence of a large media contingent representing the Indian as well as the foreign organisations. Regional cable news channels were also engaged in reporting the event live. However, despatching news to different parts of the country and abroad proved difficult as there was power shortage in parts of Tawang, and BSNL phone connectivity appeared as a major irritant.
In the coming days, the head of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism will be attending a number of functions, which would include prayers and interactions with his followers. On November 10, he will be present in KhinmeyMonastery where he will consecrate a statue of Guru Padma Sambava. The following day, he will lay the foundation of Jikhob Thongdrol Choeten and visit Urgelling Monastery. He will address the public in Tawang, and will be felicitated the same day.
TAWANG, Nov 8 – Under a sun-drenched November sky, the fourteenth Dalai Lama today arrived in western Arunachal Pradesh, where along with interacting with the faithful in the Tawang monastery, he inaugurated a museum in the institution. The Dalai Lama, who had first entered Tawang half a century back following his flight from Tibet, arrived by a helicopter from Guwahati, and proceeded to the Tawangmonastery in a convoy, that had vehicles with armed security personnel. There, around 11.10 am, he was greeted by a number of senior monks, as well as young lamas who had seen him for the first time.
After formally opening the museum, he headed to the Dukhang – the main prayer hall – where, according to officials an “offering of Mandala” took place. Sub-sequently, he spent some time with ArunachalPradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu and few other eminent pers-onalities.
The first day of his visit also witnessed the Nobel laureate inaugurating the Monastery School Library, and conferring of blessings to the staff and students of the institution.
Tomorrow, he would inaugurate the OPD of district hospital Tawang, and consecrate a statue of the Buddha. Besides, he would plant and distribute saplings with due ceremony.
The Dalai Lama’s tour of Arunachal Pradesh, on this occasion will contain sessions of teaching to different sections of his followers. Tomorrow, he will have two sessions of discourse.
As expected, the Himalayan town of Tawang came alive with the presence of followers of the Dalai Lama from different parts of Arunachal Pradesh as well as abroad. Devotees have poured in from Assam as well as from neighbouring Bhutan. Some of the faithful walked across the Se La area situated at 13,700 feet above sea level.
Chamba Tenzing, a young monk in the Tawang Monastery expressing his delight at the Dalai Lama’s arrival said, “When we see him there is an inexplicable feeling of deep contentment…and when he departs our eyes become moist. He has that effect even on ordinary people,” the monk stated.
“He is a human being, but he is so filled with karuna, that anyone who comes in contact with him will feel his blessed grace,” said Nima, a resident of Tawang, whose father had seen the young Dalai Lama enter Tawang after he had left Tibet.
Sources in the monastery revealed that the regular routine of the Dalai Lama will remain unchanged during the trip to Arunachal. He would wake up in the wee hours and spend time in contemplation and prayers. The days would be interspersed by meetings with several high ranking monks.
A noticeable aspect to this trip has been the intent of all those involved with the tour to disconnect it from any reference to China. An official of the ArunachalPradesh Government who is overseeing arrangements for visitors and pilgrims to Tawang said, “It is a purely personal visit, and its only aim is spiritual. Please avoid giving it a political colouring”.
Interestingly, the Dalai Lama’s visit was marked by the presence of a large media contingent representing the Indian as well as the foreign organisations. Regional cable news channels were also engaged in reporting the event live. However, despatching news to different parts of the country and abroad proved difficult as there was power shortage in parts of Tawang, and BSNL phone connectivity appeared as a major irritant.
In the coming days, the head of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism will be attending a number of functions, which would include prayers and interactions with his followers. On November 10, he will be present in KhinmeyMonastery where he will consecrate a statue of Guru Padma Sambava. The following day, he will lay the foundation of Jikhob Thongdrol Choeten and visit Urgelling Monastery. He will address the public in Tawang, and will be felicitated the same day.
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