A guidance talk to the Tibetans from Dalhousie
In the evening of 26 May 2022, at the request of the Tibetans, mainly elders, who have come from Dalhousie, for audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, His Eminence Rinpoche gave them a guidance talk, in the Kalachakra Temple within the Tsuklagkhang Temple complex, Dharamshala.
After expressing appreciation for their audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Eminence Rinpoche began the guidance talk by explaining the initial settlement of the major monasteries and the lay in exile at Dalhousie, and that beside perhaps being the first major settlement of the Tibetans in exile in India, it was in Dalhousie that the first handicraft factory was established. Many of the former reincarnate lamas of the Young Lamas’ Home School and the Central School, Dalhousie, later contributed to the flourishing of the Dharma in the West, and in the service in the exile society, respectively, and thus there was a significant relationship between Dalhousie and the exile society.
Narrating the times His Eminence Rinpoche was affiliated with Dalhousie—teaching the reincarnate lamas and Geshes, and later working as the Principal of the Tibetan school—His Eminence said it was Dalhousie where His Eminence had spent the second-most time in exile, Sarnath being the longest.
His Eminence Rinpoche then talked about the situation of the Tibet issue. Citing His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s advice that Tibet would prevail, His Eminence explained the decline and disappearance of communism and dictatorship around the world, and that any dictatorship would not last.It is important that the elders should ensure that the younger generation keep up the culture, language and the knowledge-heritage, His Eminence advised.
His Eminence Rinpoche thereafter advised the gathered elders that they do daily Dharma practices, recitations, virtuous deeds, to make the remaining part of life meaningful, and for future good rebirth. Even if they just recite the Om mani padme hum compassion mantra, that would be greatly beneficial, in the context of the specific prayers Avalokiteshvara had made at the time of generating bodhicitta, as His Holiness the Seventh Dalai Lama Gyalwa Kalsang Gyatso said in A Praise to the Exalted One, “Even Your name is blessed that whoever hears it will have fears subsided;| Guided by the Sage’s words of truth, ‘Deeds of devotion to countless Buddhas are equalled in results by mere retention of Your name’|”. In reciting the mantra, it is important that one does so with the motive to benefit all sentient beings, His Eminence said.
Towards the conclusion of the guidance talk, His Eminence Rinpoche advised the elders to take care of their health and hygiene, and that it is important to do give some exercise to the body, as well.
The video-recording of the guidance talk, in Tibetan, is at this link: