Washington DC, USA, 16 July 2011 - On his last full
day of stay in Washington, D.C. during this visit, His Holiness the
Dalai Lama first bestowed the longevity of White Tara to the people.
Thereafter, a long life prayer was conducted for His Holiness the Dalai
Lama by the organizers of the teachings. Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche
recited the attributes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, his contribution
to humanity and the recognition he has been receiving from the
international community.
At the conclusion of the long life offering, His
Holiness, in his remarks, appreciated the gesture. He said that from the
spiritual perspective, the Teacher’s life has some connection with the
aspiration and trust of the students. He said that the past several
days of interaction between him and the attendees have developed some
connection and warm feeling. He said that this thus had some connection
with the Teacher’s life
His Holiness reminded the attendees that his
favorite prayer was that of Shantideva: "For as long as space endures,
and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide to
dispel the misery of the world." He added that some people do seem to
benefit from interaction with him. He said that he therefore gets the
determination to live long. Telling the people that he enjoyed good
physical health, His Holiness recalled his physician calling him a young
patient despite being 76 years old.
His Holiness appreciated the serious attention that
the attendees seem to be paying during the teachings. He said that a
few days’ teachings mean nothing from the long term view. He therefore
urged the people to make effort to make life more meaningful. He said
irrespective of whether one believes in the next life or not, it was
important to lead a good life. He said the purpose of life should be to
make it meaningful and compassionate.
His Holiness then said that from the mysterious life point of view,
the spiritual imprint on account of the connections established during
this teaching will be there not just life after life, but also aeons
after aeons. He added that he will always remember the people.
Calling himself as being just one among the human beings on this
earth, His Holiness said that a happy life for an individual depends on
the entire world. He therefore said that everyone needed to have serious
at the global level to make this world a better place.
Thereafter, Garchen Rinpoche presented to His Holiness a copy of the
English edition of Drikung Chetsang Rinpoche's history of the Emperors
of Tibet.
Following this, Mr. Kalden Lodoe, President of Capital Area Tibetan
Association, which is the organizer of the teachings, gave his
concluding remarks. He said that through this event they had wanted to
generate positive forces of compassion and harmony at a time of many
global conflicts as well as calamities caused by nature. He added that
whatever virtues have been accumulated through the organization of this
event was being dedicated for the wellbeing of all sentient beings, and
in particular, the people and the nation of the United States. He said,
“May the seed of compassion and love that Your Holiness has planted
through this series of teachings continue to grow in each and every one
of us as we go to our respective places so that the world becomes a
better place for us all.
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Mr. Kalden Lodoe, President of the
Capitol Area Tibetan Association reads the concluding remarks for the
Kalachakra for World Peace 2011 event in Washington DC on July 16, 2011.
Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL
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He then informed His Holiness and the
gathering that due to an overwhelming response from the public, the
ticket sales exceeded all expectations as also donations, both financial
and in-service donations, poured in from hundreds of devotees.
Therefore, based on initial financial estimate, he said the income was
$5.99 million and the expenses were $4.04 resulting in an approximate
surplus of $1.95 million. Out of this, as per the directions from the
Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, he said an amount of $500,000 has
been earmarked for a proposed Centre for Tibetan and Buddhist Studies
located in Toronto, Canada. Dedicated to critical and in-depth
engagement in Buddhist studies as well as classical Tibetan studies on
the North American continent, the Centre will provide all visitors with
an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of classical Tibetan
culture, knowledge and philosophical traditions. In April 2010 the
Government of Canada agreed to give a matching grant for the
establishment of the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre, which will house
the Centre for Tibetan and Buddhist Studies. He said that the deadline
for raising the matching funds ends in October of this year leaving the
Toronto Tibetan community with very little time to raise the needed
funds. This gift will help to realize the eventual establishment of the
proposed Centre for Tibetan and Buddhist Studies, and at the same time,
allow the Tibetan Canadian Cultural Centre to receive the Government of
Canada's generous matching grant.
He said after close consultation between the Office of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama, the organizing committee of the Kalachakra for World
Peace 2011, and the Capital Area Tibetan Association, the remaining
funds would be distributed in three categories:
Thirty per cent will be distributed among local, national and
international charitable and humanitarian causes. Among the selected
international causes include efforts to alleviate the ongoing hunger
crisis being faced in East African countries and the Tsunami Relief
Effort in Japan. In Washington, local charities that are being selected
include those that are dedicated to helping the homeless, the Booker T.
Washington Public Charter School for the Technical Arts, the Humane
Society. His Holiness visited the Booker T. Washington School in
November 2005 and was greatly impressed by the dedication of the
students, the majority of whom come from underprivileged backgrounds.
Another thirty per cent will be allocated to the Capital Area
Tibetan Association to be utilized as seed money for all community
related educational and cultural projects.
Forty per cent will be earmarked for The Dalai Lama Trust, which was
founded in 2009 by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. A non-profit
charitable organization registered in the state of New York, the Trust
is funded by charitable contributions made by its founder and by the
general public. The Trust was established to support the advancement and
welfare of the Tibetan people, and the promotion of Tibetan culture and
heritage as well as the deep-rooted values associated with its culture
and people. Among its activities, the Dalai Lama Trust supports the
preservation of Tibetan culture and the development of leadership and
educational opportunities for young Tibetans. Along with providing
relief and assistance to underserved communities, the Trust also seeks
to support initiatives that encourage a sense of universal
responsibility in the global community, and the advancement of dialogue
between science and spirituality.
A program to honor Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche on behalf of the
Tibetans in North America followed this. Representative Lobsang Nyandak
Zayul, in his introductory remarks, mentioned the resolution of the
North American Tibetan Associations to present an award to Samdhong
Rinpoche “for his selfless dedication in serving the Tibetan nation.”
In addition to the award, he said that the North American Tibetan
Association have also decided to establish a “Samdhong Rinpoche
Scholarship Award” to aid five outstanding Tibetans in India pursuing
PhD studies. He mentioned that the Associations have made a contribution
of $ 29, 882, which will be provided to the Tibetan Department of
Education for this scholarship.
The North American members of the Tibetan Parliament, Mr. Norbu
Tsering and Ms. Dicky Choyang, then read out the award statements in
Tibetan and English respectively.
The award, “A Leader of Innovation and Reform,” was then presented to Kalon Tripa Samdhong Rinpoche.
His Holiness then left for the White House where he had around 45
minutes of meeting with President Barrack Obama. The President
introduced his two daughters to His Holiness before the discussions
began. See separate report on the meeting below.
After lunch, His Holiness gave an interview to TV anchorwoman Ann
Curry of NBC. His Holiness answered questions about his meeting with
President Obama, about his future reincarnation, and about
Tibetan-Chinese dialogue, etc. This program will be telecast on the
Today show on Monday, July 18.
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His Holiness the Dalai Lama and
monks from Namgyal Monastery pour a portion of the Kalachakra Sand
Mandala in the Anacostia River in Washington DC on July 16, 2011.
Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL |
Thereafter,
His Holiness went to the Verizon Center to lead the ritual dismantling
of the Kalachakra Sand Mandala, a portion of which was poured into the
Anacostia River at the Yards Park in South East Washington, D.C.
Tibetan Buddhists believe that the pouring of the sacred sand into the
river will also bless it. His Holiness returned to the Verizon to do the
concluding prayers before returning to his hotel.
His Holiness departs from Washington, D.C. on July 17, 2011
for Chicago for a two-day program on “Bridging the Faith Divide”
organized by the Theosophical Society. The programs will be webcast on
