Activity date: 3/11/2015, Release Date: 2015/03/21

Historical Visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat for Two Days from 11-12 March 2015: Day One

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Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa's long waited wishes of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama visiting Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat was fulfilled on 11-12 March 2015 in the most auspicious way. His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Very Venerable Khenchen Trangu Rinpoche, representatives of all Karma Kagyu monasteries from India, Nepal and Bhutan, representatives of His Holiness Sakya Trizin, His Holiness Drigung Kyabgon and His Eminence Gyaltsab Rinpoche arrived in Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat to take part in the events.

On the morning of 11 March 2015, the first welcome group from Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat led by very Venerable Gyalton Rinpoche went to Dharamsala before His Holiness Dalai Lama departed from his residence, Gaden Phodrang. The second welcome group led by Venerable Pungri Rinpoche was waiting in Baijnath. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama arrived auspiciously in Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat at around 9.30am in the morning and the traditional welcome reception was conducted and greeted by Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, H.E. Jamgon Kongtrul and Venerable Gegen Lama Lodoe.

At the entrance of the main shrine hall of Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat, His Holiness ceremoniously unknotted the ribbon and then the doors of the shrine hall were opened. Inside the shrine hall there were many guests including past and serving Kalons, members of the ATPD and officers of the Central Tibetan Administration, Rinpoches, Khenpos, Lamas, and senior monks and nuns of several nearby monastic institutions that are part of Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat.

Once His Holiness had taken his seat on the throne, prayers and praises were recited and Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa constructed the mandala of grains as the offering of the mandala of the universes was recited and offered it with the representations of the body, speech and mind of the enlightened ones.

Guru Vajradhara gave a welcome speech starting with past and present great Bodhisattvas and manifestation of H.H Dalai Lama with details of his responsibilities, his lineage and connection between his lineage with His Holiness Dalai Lama up to the present day and expressed his heartfelt welcome to His Holiness. Following this, two Khenpos made presentations on Philosophy and introduction of Palpung Sherabling Monastic seat, medicine, astrology, science, language and Sanskrit. The Minister of Religion and Culture in the Central Tibetan Administration, Pema Chinjor and Speaker of the ATPD, Mr Penpa Tsering, both spoke highly about Guru Vajradhara's activities in the Buddhadharma.

At the end of the morning session, His Holiness Dalai Lama addressed everyone present and mentioned that the succession of Tai Situ Rinpoches have been of service to the Dharma and sentient beings and Rinpoche's establishment of the monastic seat with its opportunities for study and practice are evidence of this. His Holiness said, "When we think about Nalanda, what comes to mind is a center of learning and study, not just a place where rituals were performed. Similarly, Tai Situ Rinpoche has taken practical steps to support the 5 sciences here." His Holiness gave most precious detailed advice to everyone for study and practice to benefit all sentient beings.

His Holiness consecrated the main shrine hall, library on the floor above the assembly hall and above it the hall of 15 three dimensional mandalas where His Holiness recited verses of consecration and scattered blessed rice and flowers.

In the afternoon, there were presentations by groups of monks and nuns on debating, discussions on language, grammar and the Perfection of Wisdom which His Holiness listened to with deep interest. The afternoon session ended with words of thanks.

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