Dharamshala — Three Tibetan Groups from USA and India offered a long life prayer to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wenesday. His Holiness said," Every morning, I wake, I generate bodhichitta and the view of emptiness and I pray that I may be of service to others. Since we may say you are my students, I explain how I practise to you, how I meditate on bodhichitta and emptiness. This is what you should try to cultivate too."
Former students of the Central School for Tibetans (CST) Darjeeling, the Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey (TCNYNJ) and the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota (TAFM) offered a long life prayer to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on June 4, 2025, at Tsuklakhnang, the Tibetan Main Temple, Dharamshala, HP, India.
When His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in the courtyard of Tsuklakhnang, some 5,500 people, including Tibetans, Indians and Westerners, warmly welcomed him with khatas, flowers and cheerful smiles, and His Holiness greeted them with a joyful smile.
After His Holiness took his seat on the throne and prayers for his long life began, the prayer session was presided over by Samdhong Rinpoche, flanked on the right by Keutsang Rinpoche and on the left by Chokhor Rinpoche.
About half an hour of prayer recitation, a mandala representing the entire universe was offered to His Holiness by Samdhong Rinpoche, addressed by his long name Jampel Ngagwang Lobzang Yéshé Tendzin Gyatso, with the request that he live hundreds of aeons. Next were presented to him representations of the body, speech and mind of the Buddha, the Long-life Vase, Long-life Nectar, and Long-life pills.
A thanksgiving mandala was offered and His Holiness addressed the gathering and he said, "Today, Former students of the Central School for Tibetans, Darjeeling, the Tibetan Community of New York & New Jersey and the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota have offered these prayers for my long life."
"I was born near Siling, moved to Lhasa, and received novice monk and fully ordained monk’s vows from my Abbot, Yongzin Ling Rinpoché before the Jowo statue," His Holiness said.
"I may have told you before about an occasion when I had a dream or vision of the Buddha. He was there before me in person and I was among those around him. He beckoned me to him so I respectfully approached. He patted my head with the kindness of one taking care of his disciples. I made a prayer, “May the Dharma long endure”, and determined that I would serve it," he told the gathering.
"The tradition we preserve in Tibet represents the essence of all the Buddha’s teachings. He patted my head and expressed approval of what I have done. I had nothing to offer except a piece of chocolate which I gave to him and he was pleased. I was amazed at the way he kindly and compassionately showed care for me," he added.
The spiritual leader of Tibet said, "As you know, I fled Tibet and came to India where I’ve lived most of my life. I’ve been able to visit Bodhgaya and many other places, where I have been able to give teachings, which has been very good."
"Putting the teachings I received from Lama Dorjé Chang, Ling Rinpoché, into practice, I’ve been able to transform my mind. In China, Mao Zedong was friendly to me. He praised my interest in modern science, but also remarked that religion is poison. From this I could tell he was hostile to the Dharma," His Holiness said.
"I have also been able to travel to many other countries and contribute to the flourishing of the Dharma by teaching. Within my engagement in the Three Trainings of ethics, concentration and wisdom, my main practice has been to cultivate the awakening mind of bodhichitta and the view of emptiness," the spiritual leader of Tibet explained.
"Although we followers of Buddha Shakyamuni live at a time when the teachings are in decline, we can revive them within ourselves. It seems that even those who have been opposed to what the Buddha taught may eventually take interest in it," His Holiness said.
"We are human beings who have encountered the teaching of the Buddha. On my own part, I try my best to serve the Buddhadharma. Every morning, the moment I wake, I generate bodhichitta and the view of emptiness and I pray that I may be of service to others. Since we may say you are my students, I explain how I practise to you, how I meditate on bodhichitta and emptiness. This is what you should try to cultivate too. That’s all I have to say—Tashi Delek," His Holiness concluded his speech.
