New York — The Tibetan, Mongolian and Himalayan communities of North America offered a long life prayer to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Thursday, in New York and His Holiness addressed a strong crowd of 17,000, saying," Here we have Tibetans from all three regions of Tibet demonstrating how we are united. Tibetan culture can be of benefit to the whole of humanity. The Buddha, Shakyamuni, became enlightened and gave teachings that have been preserved in Tibet and the Himalayan region. These teachings are profound and deeply valuable."
The Tibetan, Mongolian and Himalayan communities of North America offered a long life prayer to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, on August 22, 2024 at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, USA. A huge crowd of 17,000 people, including monks, abbots and former abbots of Tibetan monasteries, Tibetans from the United States and Canada, Mongolians, people from the Himalayan regions and a group of 400 Tibetan children filled the UBS Arena to pray for his long life.
The representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Tibet Office in Washington DC, Dr Namgyal Choedup, told His Holiness how happy everyone present was to welcome him among them and to have the opportunity to offer sincere prayers for his long life. He thanked all those who were part of the medical team that treated His Holiness' knee, as well as those who offered hospitality to His Holiness and his entourage.
Then a group of 400 Tibetan children in the well of the hall sang verses wishing that His Holiness live long. The Chant Master then led a recitation of the mandala offering.
After that, the Spiritual leader of Tibet addressed the congregation: "Here we have Tibetans from all three regions of Tibet demonstrating how we are united. Tibetan culture can be of benefit to the whole of humanity. The Buddha, Shakyamuni, became enlightened and gave teachings that have been preserved in Tibet and the Himalayan region. These teachings are profound and deeply valuable. I have studied them since I was very young."
"The Buddha’s teachings have influenced our way of life to the extent that the people of Tibet have been determined to keep them alive. I intend to live to be more than 100 years old and I will continue to do my best to help the Tibetan people," His Holiness continued.
His Holiness said, "Chinese Communists may look down on Tibetan culture, but across the world we have friends who appreciate it. In Tibet we have the most complete transmission of the Buddha’s teachings. As Tibetans have spread out across the world other people have become more aware of our traditions. We have many loyal friends who I’d like to thank. People around the world are taking an interest in Buddhism and even in China there are many curious to learn about Tibetan Buddhism."
"Today, I will give a short instruction on generating the awakening mind of bodhichitta. It is simple but powerful. By cultivating bodhichitta we can fulfil the interests and needs of others and ourselves. Fundamentally we wish—May I become a Buddha to benefit all wandering beings," the spiritual leader said.
Then His Holiness recited the verse for taking refuge in the Three Jewels and generating the awakening mind. He asked the audience to repeat it after him three times. He declared that he has followed the Buddha’s teachings and generated the wish to become a Buddha in order to benefit beings over many lifetimes.
His Holiness then gave the transmission of the mantras of Buddha Shakyamuni, Arya Tara, Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Hayagriva, the Medicine Buddha and Guru Rinpoché. He first recited them and then invited the congregation to repeat them with him.
Then His Holiness the Dalai Lama explained, "There are many different religious traditions in the world, and I respect them all. But it is Buddhism that has caught the interest of scientists because it’s founded on logic. Buddhism also has great potential for fostering world peace."
"You have all shown unwavering faith and you have done a good job keeping our religion and culture alive. Please keep it up and make your prayers with joy," the spiritual leader of Tibet told the gathering in the hall.
The Chant Master led concise prayers for His Holiness’s long life in the course of which appropriate offerings were presented to him. The ceremony was completed with a mandala offering.
Then the Representative Dr Namgyal Choedup addressed the crowd once more to express especial gratitude to Carol and Sam Nappi for their generous help coordinating the arrangements that ensured that His Holiness’s knee replacement surgery was a success and for their subsequent exceptional hospitality as he recuperated. Mr and Mrs Nappi approached the throne and His Holiness thanked them personally. The audience cheered.
Liaison Officer Kunga Tashi thanked everyone who had worked hard and contributed to today’s long-life ceremony. Following the moving performance of a song from the Tibetan operatic tradition, the Chant Master recited the dedication prayers that concluded the proceedings. Before leaving the stage, His Holiness walked to the front of the gathering and he smiled and waved to the congregation who waved and proffered white silk scarves in return with joy and smiles.
