Washington DC, USA, 12 July 2011 - On July 12th morning, His Holiness
undertook his preparatory rituals for the Kalachakra teachings at the
Verizon Center.
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| Namgyal Monastery monks perform the Kalachakra ritual dance in Washington DC on July 12, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL |
This included a ritual dance offering by the monks
of Namgyal Monastery in the afternoon. Artists of the Tibetan Institute
of Performing Arts also presented a few cultural performances as part of
the offering.
Thereafter, His Holiness left Verizon Center to the
Hilton Hotel, where he first gave an interview to Voice of America’s
Chinese (Mandarin) service). TV host Xin Chen conducted the Interview,
and the issues touched included the impact of His Holiness’ devolution
of authority on the Tibetan-Chinese dialogue as well as His Holiness’
message to the Chinese people. His Holiness was also asked about his
opinion on Xi Jinping, who is to be the next leader of China.
Following the interview, His Holiness addressed the
benefactors of the Kalachakra teachings. In his remarks His Holiness
talked about the significance of moral ethics and why people need to
make special effort in adhering to them. He also advised the people to
go beyond the rituals in trying to understand Buddhism by using their
analytical mind. His Holiness said they should be 21st century
Buddhists.
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| His Holiness the Dalai Lama
addresses benefactors of the Kalachakra teachings in Washington DC on
July 12, 2011. Photo/Tenzin Choejor/OHHDL |
His
Holiness expressed his appreciation of the benefactors for enabling
such the Kalachakra teachings to be organized in Washington, D.C. He
added that they should dedicate whatever virtues they accumulate t the
wellbeing of all sentient beings.
His Holiness retired for the day thereafter.
On July 13, 2011, His Holiness will begin the actual Kalachakra
empowerment. In the morning there will be the self-generation prayers
and in the afternoon, preliminary initiation for students.
Since His Holiness began his teachings at the Verizon Center, many
devotees have been seen doing prostration offerings inside the hall when
the preparation rituals were being performed. Since the Verizon Center
has a circular concourse, devotees can also be seen doing
circumambulation in the concourse when His Holiness is present in the
hall.
