Bylakuppe — His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrives in Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, Bylakuppe, South India on Sunday. His Holiness said, "The Buddhist tradition emphasizes the use of reason and logic. By exercising discipline we learn to control our negative emotions. This isn’t just a matter of faith, but of using reason and discipline to bring about peace of mind within ourselves. This approach is unique to the teaching of the Buddha."
His Holiness the Dalai Lama left Dharamshala, on January 3, 2025, to take a winter sojourn in the warmer climate of South India. Where the streets were lined by Tibetans and other well-wishers gathered to see him off. His Holiness spent the night in New Delhi and then flew on to Bengaluru on January 4, where he rested for one night. Then His Holiness boarded a helicopter that flew him to Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement. He landed at the Dickyi Larsoe Football Field, in afternoon, January 5, 2024.
His Holiness was received by a representative of the Mysore District administration, the Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the Chief Representative of the Southern Tibetan settlements, as well as Representatives of the five Tibetan Settlements in South India.
As he drove to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, thousands of Tibetans including, monks and nuns, laypeople, many of them elderly and seated in wheelchairs, as well as children with special needs, lined the road, silk scarves and incense in their hands to greet him. Monks in their yellow hats played horns, drums and cymbals. Members of the Bylakuppe Opera Troupe danced and sang to greet His Holiness.
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery was decked out to welcome His Holiness. The driveway was decorated from the gate with coloured designs of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. Close to the temple the road, thickly carpeted with flower petals, swept up and round to enable His Holiness to step out of his car right in front of the doorway. He was welcomed by the Abbot of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the recently installed Ganden Tri Rinpoché Lobsang Dorjee and the former Ganden Tri Rinpoché Lobsang Tenzin.
His Holiness offered prayers as he entered the monastery. Once he had taken his seat in front of the throne, he also lit a lamp as a mark of auspiciousness. The Abbot offered a mandala and representations of the body, speech and mind of enlightenment. The Prayer for His Holiness’s Long Life written by his two Tutors was recited and tea and ceremonial rice were served.
Then His Holiness addressed the gathering and said, "Today, I have come to Tashi Lhunpo Monastery which was founded by the All-knowing Gyalwa Gendun Drup, the First Dalai Lama. In Tibet the monastery was renowned for the quality of the monks’ studies of Buddhist philosophy and logic. Gyalwa Ensepa was celebrated for the way he taught the essence of the pith instructions."
"After the upheaval that took place in Tibet, the seat of learning known as Tashi Lhunpo was re-established here in exile. It is one of Tibet’s most important monasteries. Gyalwa Gendun Drup founded the monastery. I am his successor and I feel happy and honoured to have reached here today," he added.
His Holiness said, "The principal purpose of a monastery, as I always advise, is to be a centre of learning, providing monks and nuns the opportunity to study the curriculum and put what they learn into practice."
"Today, in this world, even people who are not Buddhists are taking an interest in what the Buddha taught. Many, scientists among them, are attracted by our use of reason and logic. This is a tradition we have kept alive down the centuries," His Holiness explained.
“Members of the monastic institutions here should work to uphold the Buddha’s teachings, especially in this degenerate age. There is interest in what the Buddha taught in China and in places that were not traditionally Buddhist. The tradition followed by those of us gathered here emphasizes the use of reason and logic. By exercising discipline we learn to control our negative emotions. This isn’t just a matter of faith, but of using reason and discipline to bring about peace of mind within ourselves. This approach is unique to the teaching of the Buddha," he added.
"We talk about aiming to reach Buddhahood, but we won’t do that on the basis of faith alone, but by relying on reason and logic. I, as a Bhikshu, a sincere follower of the Buddha, as soon as I wake in the morning, I meditate on the awakening mind of bodhichitta and the view of emptiness. This I do on a daily basis and it gives me confidence. That’s all, thank you," His Holiness said.
