Bodh Gaya: Dalai Lama preaches devotees during Kalchakra puja

The puja which will last for a little about a fortnight kicked off at the historic Kalachakra ground with the rituals of bhumi pujan, construction of mandala from sand and preaching for new disciples.

Dalai Lama led the rituals at the venue where devotees had started pouring in even before dawn.

The spiritual leader arrived at the venue at around 7 am in the morning.

Soon after reaching the venue, Dalai Lama moved around the galleries made for devotees and then sat on the dais prepared for him.

He then prepared the mandala from sand. The lamas from Namgyal monastery assisted him. Thereafter, he offered prayers invoking the deity to extend blessing for success of the rituals.

The lamas chanted sutras in Tibetan language while Dalai Lama performed the rituals. He also performed a special prayer for world peace. 

“You also have the potential to attain enlightenment. But for this you will have to shun greed, anger,
jealousy and overcome the mundane attractions towards materialism,” said Dalai, preaching disciples joining the Kalachakra initiation ceremony for the first time.
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“Always practice for purity of soul and heart. Also develop habit of introspection that will help you identify good and the bad deeds”, he advised.

Around 100,000 Buddhist devotees and monks hailing from Britain, USA, France, Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Nepal, Vietnam, Korea, Mongolia, Bhutan Myanmar, Thailand, Laos  and other countries have landed in Bodh Gaya to participate in the puja.

Many more are expected to join the ceremony soon.

thebiharpost.com

(Image by Sanjay Kumar Ganauri )