Commitments in Life
On the level of a human being, His Holiness first commitment is the
promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance,
contentment and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. We all want
happiness and do not want suffering. Even people who do not believe in
religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life
happier. His Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics. He
remains committed to talk about the importance of these human values and
share them with everyone he meets.
On the level of a religious
practitioner, His Holiness second commitment is the promotion of religious
harmony and understanding among the worlds major religious traditions.
Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same
potential to create good human beings. It is therefore important for all
religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each
others respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is
concerned, this is relevant on an individual level. However, for the
community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary.
Teachings in India for 2008:
September, 2008: 3-5 September, Three day teachings
in Dharamshala on Nagaarjuna's Commentary on Boddhicitta mainly
for people from South East Asia on the request of Tibetan Buddhist
Society, Singapore.
October, 2008: 1-5 October, 5 day Teachings in
Dharamshala on Nagaarjuna's Commentary on Boddicitta at the request
of Large group of Koreans.
Dates of teaching in India for the year 2009:
January 7 to 13 : His holiness will give a teaching
in Sarnath, U.P.(Uttar Pradesh), on Arya Asanga's Compendium of
Higher Knowledge (ngonpa kuntue) & Shantideva's A Guide to the
Bodhisattva's Way of Life (chodjug).
March 11: His Holiness will give a teaching in
Dharamsala,H.P. (Himachal Pradesh),from the Jataka Tales at the
Main Tibetan Temple.
Spring Teachings Earlier Scheduled from March 12 to 21 have
been cancelled this year.
July 10 to 12 : His Holiness will be in Kaza,H.P.,at
the invitation of the Sakya Monastery in Kaza. On July 10 His Holiness
has been requested to give a Buddist teaching (topic yet to be decided).
On July 11 & 12 His Holiness will confer the Avalakotieshvera
Initiation(chenresigwangchen).
For further information & Bookings please e-mail us
at ops@discoveryjourneysindia.com
Practical
advice
for attending
HH the
Dalai Lama's
teachings
in India:-
When His
Holiness
the Dalai
Lama gives
public
teachings
in India
you would
be well
advised
to bring:
a cushion,
an FM radio,
a cup and
a sunhat
and given
the security
checks
that take
place,
as little
else as
possible.
Registration
All teachings
in India
are free
and except
certain
restricted
and tantric
teachings
prior registration
is not
necessary.
You should
check as
soon as
you reach
the place
where the
teaching
is given.
It is helpful
to bring
few extra
personal
Passport
size photos
in case
registration
is suddenly
required
due to
security
or other
reasons.
Seating
In the
West seating
for public
events
is, likely
as not,
arranged
by ticket
and seat
number
and you
keep the
seat you
are thus
assigned.
In Tibet
and India
for many
public
events
seating
is on the
floor or
on the
ground.
However,
the convention
amongst
Tibetans
is that
you take
your seat
on the
first day
of a series
of Teachings,
mark it
with a
cushion
or a piece
of cloth,
and thereafter
keep to
that seat
for the
duration
of the
teachings.
This is
how Tibetans
have traditionally
avoided
hassling
each other
over who
sits where
every day.
So, following
the old
adage about
when in
Rome do
as the
Romans
do, it
seems reasonable
to suggest
that when
among Tibetans
do as the
Tibetans
do.
Translation
On most
occasions
when HH
the Dalai
Lama is
teaching
publicly
in India
an effort
is made
to provide
a simultaneous
transaction
into English.
This is
made available
by radio.
If you
wish to
listen
to the
transaction,
you are
advised
to bring
an FM radio
with headphones
so as not
to disturb
the majority
of listeners
who are
listening
in Tibetan.
Although
the quality
of the
signal
varies
according
to the
circumstances,
you can
often improve
reception
by changing
the angle
and position
of the
antenna
of your
radio,
which is
often incorporated
in the
headphone
lead.
Tea and
offerings
to the
monastic
community
It is customary
for tea
to be served
to the
gathering,
so it is
worthwhile
carrying
your own
cup. You
will often
notice
that money
is offered
to monks
and nuns.
This is
an offering
to the
spiritual
community.
Both the
tea and
offerings
are paid
for by
contributions
from patrons
and the
general
public.
If you
would also
like to
contribute
there is
nearly
always
an office
near the
teaching
location
where you
can do
so. How
much you
give is
entirely
at your
discretion,
but you
will be
given a
receipt.
Protection
from the
sun and
the weather
His Holiness
the Dalai
Lama makes
a point
of encouraging
those who
are sitting
in the
hot sun
to cover
their heads
and so
protect
their health.
Similarly
he asks
people
to put
up umbrellas
or take
shelter
should
it rain.
It is useful
to carry
a soft
sun hat
or piece
of cloth
and/or
a small
umbrella.
Shoes
Tibetans
tend to
keep their
shoes on
when they
are sitting
on the
ground,
or at least
keep them
on until
they sit
down. Taking
your shoes
off and
carrying
them in
your hand
through
a crowd
sitting
on the
ground
means that
you carry
them right
in front
of people's
faces,
which most
people
prefer
to avoid.
Teachings
by H.H Dalai Lama for 2008/09.
