Gyumé Tantric College, Hunsur, Karnataka, India - Today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama left Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. Tibetans, monastic and lay-people, lined the road to see him off. He then drove over 50kms from Bylakuppé to Hunsur, still within Karnataka, the location of Gyumé Tantric College. At Hunsur, the road was lined by smiling Tibetans eager to greet His Holiness. He was welcomed on arrival by the Ganden Trisur Rinpoché, the Shartsé Chöjé, the Abbot and Vice-Abbot of Gyumé and the Representative of Hunsur Settlement. The former Ganden Tri Rinpoché then led the way into the Gyumé assembly hall.
Once His Holiness had taken his seat the Abbot of Gyumé Monastery, Geshé Ngawang Sangyé made prostrations and offered a mandala and representations of the body, speech and mind of enlightenment. The Hunsur MLA Harish Gowd also paid his respects.
As His Holiness walked through the assembly hall, the floor strewn with flower petals, the monks were chanting a Praise of Jetsun Sherab Sengé, founder of their monastery. They followed this with a Praise of Six-armed Mahakala by the Mahasiddha Shawaripa and then a Praise of Dharmaraja by Jé Tsongkhapa. Tea and sweet rice were served and the verses for offering and blessing them invoked Jowojé Atisha, Dromtönpa and Tsongkhapa.
His Holiness addressed the gathering:
“Although it was quite a long drive to get here, I don’t feel tired.
“Wherever Tibetans have settled they seem quite pleased to see me. I easily make friends with people and they have regard for me as the person who bears the name Dalai Lama. I was born in Do-mé or Amdo and later moved to Central Tibet where I was able to study Buddhist philosophy, logic and so forth with my tutors. My debate assistants were very kind to me too and with their help I was able to put my brain to good use.
“In Tibet I visited the great monasteries of Sera, Ganden and Drepung to take my exams. Finally, I was fortunate to be able to take the exam for the degree of Geshé Lharampa in the Jokhang in Lhasa. As I stood amidst the congregation of scholars at Sera, Ganden and Drepung Monasteries I might have given an impression of confidence, but inside my heart beat rapidly because I was nervous. On the other hand, I was also happy. The debates I engaged in and the examinations I took at the Three Great Seats of Learning went very well.
“So, this person named Lhamo Dhondup, who came such a long way from Amdo, and who bears the name Dalail Lama, has been able to serve the teaching and other beings quite well. Not only Tibetans, but also people who are not traditionally Buddhists are friendly towards me and happy to hear what I have to say. I feel this has made my life worthwhile.
“I still expect to live another ten or 15 years and will continue to serve the Buddhadharma and the cause of Tibet. This is a contribution I will continue to make.
“We have worked hard, despite living in exile, and because of my interest in science many people who have no religious faith as such, scientists among them, have become my friends. I feel I have been able to serve the Dharma, particularly the tradition of the great master Tsongkhapa that comprises both sutra and tantra, in my discussions with them. I have also engaged in meditation based on his teachings. Consequently, I have been able to uphold the correct view and share it with others, explaining to them how they can transform their minds. Indeed, I have been able to engage in discussions with people from all walks of life.
“After the 13th Dalai Lama passed away, I was recognized as the reincarnation, so I bear title Dalai Lama and so far I have done my best to serve the Dharma and beings. As I mentioned before, I have seen indications in my dreams that I may live to be 110 years old or more and I feel that I will be able to continue to serve the Dharma and the cause of Tibet.
“I am happy to have been able to reach here today, and you have all been able to pay your respects. If we were still in Tibet, I would be sitting on a high throne unable to interact with the general public. It would all have been formal. However, coming into exile has been quite refreshing because I have been able to meet and interact with all kinds of people from many different walks of life. I want to be able to help people by dealing with them directly, which is what I have been doing since coming into exile. Talking to people, letting them know what I think, rather than remaining aloof, accords with my own nature.
“At Gyumé Tantric College you are known for chanting in the voice of Yamantaka. Your trust in me has been the basis of a strong, immutable spiritual bond between us—for which I would like to thank you. As Tibetans there may differences between us depending on where we come from and who our own teachers are, but we share a common way of thinking. We have kept alive the teaching that the Buddha gave more than two thousand five hundred years ago.
“The Buddhadharma came to Tibet during the reigns of the Dharma Kings and we have been able to keep the complete teaching of the Buddha alive since then and we share a determination to continue to do so.
“I am someone who bears the title Dalai Lama and the responsibility of the Dalai Lamas is to preserve the teaching of the Buddha. The extent to which the Buddhadharma has spread during my time seems to have been much greater than under previous Dalai Lamas. I have tried to spread the message of the importance of maintaining a good heart, of being a good person, rather than just being religious. This message has been widely recognized and appreciated. You, monks of the Tantric College, have been serving the Dalai Lamas very well and that’s all I have to say today. Thank you.”
His Holiness then retired to the rooms that had been prepared for him. Tomorrow, the monks of Gyumé Tantric College will offer prayers for his long life.
