I am Fortunate To Be In Amaravati: H.H. the Dalai Lama

Amaravati, 6 January 2006 (www.phayul.com) - His Holiness the Dalai Lama began the Kalachakra 2006 yesterday. Thanking the state government of Andhra Pradesh for extending infrastructural facilities for the Kalachakra, the 70 year-old Tibetan leader said that the Kalachakra in Amaravati holds a special significance as it is believed to be the place where Buddha gave the first Kalachakra Initiation.

 

'I feel fortunate to be able to initiate the Kalachakra here in Amaravati. More Kalachakras will take place but this place (Amaravati) is especially important as Buddha gave his first Kalachkara sermon here'.

The Dalai Lama said that the leaders of Andhra Pradesh are very concerned about the Kalachakra and Buddhism in Andhra Pradesh and that he had extended his gratitude to them for their efforts.

The Tibetan leader also said that Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are popular Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in India and that Andhra Pradesh has joined them. He also said that the state government is putting all its efforts to make Andhra Pradesh an important destination for Buddhists all over the world.

VOT radio service reports that more than a hundred thousand devotees from all over the world are expected to gather at the remote south Indian riverside town of Amaravathi.

It also said that 400 media persons have converged at the Kalachakra site to cover the big religious gathering of Buddhists.