Zurich, Switzerland - When His Holiness the Dalai Lama walked onto the stage at the Hallenstadion in Zurich today, before a capacity crowd of 15,000, he saluted the Tashi Shölpa dancers performing their dance to welcome him. He took his seat on the throne before large thangka paintings of the Buddha Shakyamuni, Four Armed Avalokiteshvara and White Tara.
A Tibetan compere introduced Thinley Chökyi, Representative of the Office of Tibet, Geneva. Addressing His Holiness as the crown jewel among gods and kings, a champion of world peace, she respectfully welcomed him and paid him homage on behalf of Tibetans in Switzerland and other countries in Europe.
She declared that Tibetans around the world are doing their best to resolve the conflict between China and Tibet following His Holiness’s lead. She added that they were pleased to be able to offer prayers for His Holiness’s long life out of gratitude as he stopped in Zurich on his way back to India from the US after successful knee replacement surgery.
“May you yet be able to return to Tibet, take your seat on the Lion Throne in the Potala Palace and offer teachings from there once more,” she prayed.
She ended by offering thanks to the various authorities in Zurich for enabling Tibetans to hold this event today.
A group of Tibetan singers and dances sang in praise of His Holiness, referring to him as the protector and embodiment of compassion. A group of Lamas sitting at the foot of the throne recited a verse for taking refuge in the Three Jewels and a verse that summarizes the Perfection of Wisdom teachings. They made a mandala offering and began a symbolic rendition of a ceremony seeking a Lama’s long life.
As they chanted the prayer for His Holiness’s longevity composed by his tutors, Ling Rinpoché and Trijang Rinpoché, symbols of the seven royal emblems, the eight auspicious symbols, the eight auspicious substances, and so forth were presented to him. Next, the prayer for His Holiness’s long life composed by Jamyang Khyentsé Chökyi Lodrö was recited, concluding, “May you live long and may your enlightened deeds spread everywhere.”
His Holiness then spoke to the audience: “Today, people have gathered here out of faith and devotion from Switzerland and other European countries. We Tibetans are imbued with the teaching of the Buddha. We have an unwavering faith in it, which begins when we are children reciting the verse for taking refuge and cultivating the awakening mind, as well as the mantra, Om mani padmé hum.
“I’ve had the opportunity to study and practise Buddhist teachings since I was a small child and I’ve found they have a quite scientific basis. Indeed, these days scientists come to see me taking interest in Buddhist instruction about non-violence and compassion.
“Because we Tibetans value kindness, warm-heartedness and compassion we ae able to demonstrate these qualities to other people. We have known great hardship because of the harsh restrictions imposed by the Chinese Communists, but our faith and devotion to the teachings of the Buddha has not let up.
“When I was a small boy, I was taken to Kumbum Monastery where I witnessed young monks reciting Manjushri’s mantra, Om ara patsa nadhi. I was inspired and imitated them. Our culture has left such imprints on us.
“In the past, people in the outside world didn’t know much about Tibetan Buddhism, but as time has gone by more people have taken an interest in it. They are especially attracted by instructions about the workings of the mind and emotions and ways to cultivate positive qualities within us. Even in China faith and understanding of the Buddhadharma has grown.
“Since the time of the kings Songtsen Gampo and Trisong Detsen we have become accustomed to Buddhism being part of our lives. It’s part of their kind legacy that we have such single-pointed faith today. Wherever Tibetans are they have a strong sense of ethics and faith in the teachings of the Buddha. Even people who don’t think of themselves as religious recognize that Tibetan Buddhism includes many solutions to the problems we face today.
“Because Buddhism is a major part of our culture, we should work to keep it alive. We can do this by observing ethics and cultivating a warm heart, bearing in mind that religious practice without ethics is like wearing a mask.
“On the other hand, cultivating warm-heartedness is the essence of religion. Cultivating the awakening mind of bodhichitta involves the intention to bring happiness to all sentient beings. It enables you to fulfil the goals of others and yourself.
“When I was in Beijing Mao Zedong praised my scientific turn of mind, but at the same time he remarked that religion is poison. However, I feel that if he were alive today, he would better understand why it’s worth following what the Buddha taught.”
As he conducted a brief ceremony for cultivating the awakening mind of bodhichitta, His Holiness recommended thinking of all sentient beings as having been our kind mothers. In an effort to repay that kindness we should make a strong determination to bring benefit and happiness to all sentient beings. And having generated bodhichitta we should call on all sentient beings as our guests at a feast of happiness.
“We’ve found this precious human life and to make it meaningful we should cultivate kindness and a good heart. If I may say so, the ultimate reason you have faith in me is because I teach about bodhichitta and the view of emptiness. As I’ve told you before, the moment I wake up in the morning, I meditate on the awakening mind and having generated that supreme thought I invite all sentient beings as my guests.
“The awakening mind of bodhichitta is the key to fulfilling your own and others’ goals. At the same time negative thoughts such as anger and pride subside.
“Imagine an assembly of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the space before you... Not so long ago in Bodhgaya I was attending a function in a large temple when I imagined the Buddha before me. He called me to him, spoke to me kindly and stroked my head. He seemed pleased with me, but all I had to offer was a single chocolate which I gave to him... Now, please recite these verses three times after me.”
I seek refuge in the Three Jewels;
Each and every wrongdoing I confess.
I rejoice in the virtues of all beings.
I take to heart the state of Buddhahood.
I go for refuge until I am enlightened
To the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Supreme Assembly,
In order to fulfil the aims of myself and others
I develop the awakening mind.
Having developed the aspiration for highest enlightenment,
I invite all sentient beings as my guests,
I shall enact the delightful supreme enlightening practices.
May I become a Buddha to benefit all sentient beings.
“Now you can rejoice.”
Today my birth is fruitful. My human life is justified. Today I have been born into the family of the Buddha. Now I am a child of the Buddha.
So that there may be no blemish upon this spotless family, I must now act as becomes my family.
“You should make yourselves familiar with the Bodhisattva vows that are listed in the Six Session Guru Yoga.
“‘Entering into the Way of a Bodhisattva’ says:
A well-intentioned person who thinks, "I shall eliminate the headaches of sentient beings," gives rise to immeasurable merit. 1/21
What then of a person who desires to remove the incomparable pain of every single being and endow them with immeasurable good qualities? 1/22
“The awakening mind of bodhichitta brings us peace of mind and subdues our destructive emotions. It creates a restful state of mind.”
His Holiness gave the transmission of the mantra of Buddha Shakyamuni and Avalokiteshvara, the patron deity of Tibet, by asking those assembled to recite them after him.
Representative Thinley Chökyi offered a thanksgiving mandala. Dedication prayers were said. A statement of accounts was made announcing how much money had been given and how much remained. A group of young performers sang auspicious lines by way of conclusion.
The ceremony came to an end with the recitation of a verse from the ‘Prayer of the Words of Truth’ that His Holiness composed in 1960.
Thus, the protector Chenrezig made vast prayers
Before the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
To fully embrace the Land of Snows;
May the good results of these prayers now quickly appear.
