Dharamshala — Three Tibetan organisations offered a long-life prayer to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wednesday. The Central Tibetan Association presented His Holiness with the “World Refugee Award,” while the Dokham Zachuka Association awarded him the “Lotus Jewel Award”, to express their gratitude to His Holiness for guiding and supporting the Tibetan people during these difficult times. The ceremony brought together approximately 4,000 people from around the world.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama attended a Long Life Prayer offered to him by Central Tibetan Association (U-Tsang Cholkha), Dokham Zachuka Association and Kyidong Welfare Association at the Main Tibetan Temple (Tsuklakhang), Dharamshala, on March 25, 2026.
When His Holiness the Dalai Lama reached the gate to his residence, representatives of the three organinsations offering prayers, stepped forward to greet him. Then, led by monks playing horns and swinging censers, they escorted him to the temple. Dancers sang and danced in celebration in the temple yard of Tsuklakhang.
Ling Rinpoché presided over today’s ceremony that was based on the Wish-fulfilling Wheel of White Tara. Seated to his right was the Abbot of Namgyal Monastery and to his left, Trulshik Rinpoché and the Dorjé Löbpön of Namgyal Monastery. Among the guests to the left of the throne were former Abbots of Ganden Jangtsé and Gyutö Monasteries.
The Chant-master led a recitation of a mandala offering requesting the Lama to live 100 aeons for the sake of the teachings and sentient beings. Reinforcing this request Ling Rinpoché asked “May you live 100 aeons so we may continue to collect merit and wisdom”. He also offered a mandala followed by a statue of Arya Tara, a scripture and a stupa, which represented the body, speech and mind of the enlightened ones. Next, he presented emblems representing the Buddhas of the five families, long-life liquor, pills for longevity, the seven royal emblems, the eight auspicious symbols, and the eight auspicious substances.
While the prayer for His Holiness’s Long Life by his two tutors was recited, representatives of the groups offering today’s ceremony approached the throne to receive His Holiness’s blessings.
The U-Tsang Cholkha presented His Holiness with "the World’s Refuge Award". One of their members read out an introduction to what it symbolizes. It states, "the award is crafted from fine bronze. Its circular form symbolizing His Holiness’s universal activity of love, compassion and righteousness, a radiant light for the world. At its centre the Potala Palace represents the long and glorious history of the Tibetan nation and His Holiness's role as supreme refuge of the Tibetan people in this life and beyond. His Holiness's characteristic compassionate smile expresses the heartfelt hope of the Tibetan people for his swift and auspicious return to the Potala and his sowing the seeds of love and compassion throughout the world."
The Dokham Zachuka Association also presented His Holiness with the “Lotus Jewel Award” and one of their members read out it symbolizes and said,"This award signifies the reunification of Tibetans, both inside and outside the homeland, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama will safely return to his home land, the snow-covered region (Tibet)." The three provinces of Tibet, in joy or sorrow, as one, with unity and solidarity, we pray that it may become a cause for the swift return of His Holiness to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet."
At the end of the ceremony, a mandala and representations of the body, speech and mind of the Buddhas were offered in thanksgiving for His Holiness’s accepting the request to live long.
