Bylakuppe — Monks of Sera Monastery offerred a long life prayer to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wednesday. His Holiness said,"I have a special connection with the Tibetan people. And when I think of serving them, tears come to my eyes—because of the close feelings I have for them. From the depths of my heart, I will always be dedicated to the cause of Tibet and the thriving of the Dharma there, and in this connection, there are indications that I may live to be 110 years old."
When His Holiness the Dalai Lama drives from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery to Sera Lachi Monastery on February 5, 2025, where prayers were to be offered for his long life. Monks and lay people lined the roads to greet him and offer him khadas. After reached the monastery assembly hall, His Holiness first went upstairs to meet Ganden Tri Rinpoché, the Shartsé and Jangtsé Chöjés, as well as the abbots of eleven monastic centres of learning—Sera Mé and Sera Jé, Drepung Gomang and Drepung Loseling, Ganden Shartsé and Ganden Jangtsé, Gyutö and Gyumé Tantric Colleges, Tashi Lhunpo, Ségyu and Ratö.
Then His Holiness took his seat facing the assembly. To his left sat the former Ganden Tri Rinpoché, the Jangtsé Chöjé and abbots of the eleven monasteries. To his right sat the present Ganden Tri Rinpoché, Geshé Lharampa Lobsang Dorjé, and staff of the Ganden Phodrang. Officials from the Central Tibetan Administration sat with the monks in the front row of the congregation. The long-life prayer based upon the ‘Offering to the Spiritual Master’, the ‘Lama Chöpa’, began.
As the Vajra Master presiding over this ceremony, the Jangtsé Chöjé, Gosok Rinpoché, recited the request for His Holiness to live long and presented symbolic offerings such as a cushion marked with a crossed-vajra emblem. Flanked by the Abbots of Sera Mé and Sera Jé he first offered a mandala to His Holiness followed by representations of the body, speech and mind of enlightenment, a monk’s upper robe (namjar), a seat cover (dingwa), a monks lower robe, a monk’s staff (kharsil ), symbols of the eight auspicious objects, the seven royal emblems and eight auspicious substances.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama then addressed the congregation: “Today, this Long-life Ceremony has been performed here in Sera. The monks of the three great monastic universities, Sera, Ganden and Drepung have placed firm faith and devotion in me for so many decades. I always feel close to these monastic institutions and the monks there treat me with especial respect. The trust and bond between us is unwavering. I make prayers for the well-being of monks here and in other institutions.
“As a result of my past actions and prayers I have made, I have a special connection with the Tibetan people. And when I think of serving them tears come to my eyes—because of the close feelings I have for them. From the depths of my heart, I will always be dedicated to the cause of Tibet and the thriving of the Dharma there, and in this connection, there are indications that I may live to be 110 years old.
“These monastic institutions, Sera, Ganden, Drepung and so forth are revered by people around the world who take interest in studying Buddhist philosophy. Many of these people, scientists especially, also treat me with special regard. They are attracted by the psychology that is part of our tradition.
“I will live a long life and I pray that the special bond I have with Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, as well as others who treat me with respect, will persist. That’s all I wish to say. You’ve offered these prayers for my long life with the single-pointed dedication of everyone concerned—and I have been glad to accept them.
“I can tell you that I will live to be 110 or more. So far, I have done my best to serve the people and Buddhadharma of Tibet. You in turn have offered these prayers for my long life. I would like to thank all of you," His Holiness concluded.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will attend a Long Life Prayer offered to him by Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in the morning at the Tashi Lhunpo Assembly Hall, in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India, on February 12, 2025 .
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will also attend a Long Life Prayer offered to him by Gyudmey Tantric Monastery in the morning at the Gyudmey Assembly Hall, in Hunsur, Karnataka, India, on February 17, 2025.
