Great-Compassion Day
29 February 2017
This morning His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche headed, from Dharamshala, to Chandigarh, arriving there in the afternoon.
Organised by Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Ladakh, and convened at Auditorium of MRA Senior Secondary Model School, Chandigarh, His Eminence Rinpoche graced, as the Chief Guest, “Mahakaruna Diva Celebration” (Great-Compassion Day Celebration), and gave a talk on Compassion.
The event began with His Eminence Rinpoche, as the Chief Guest, and the dignitaries lighting the ceremonial lamp. Thereafter, Ven. MahatheroSanghasena, Director, Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Ladakh, gave the welcoming speech, explained the needs for organising the event,and offered commemorative memento to the guests.
His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche formally launched, for the Centre, a periodical on Compassion, a DVD on Sanghasena, and bestowed commemorative memento of Great Compassion to other guests.
After speeches by three guests, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche began the talk by admiring the organisers embarking on a work that is of importance to the entire world, and pointed out: For the instructions on the practice of Equalising Self with Others, in generating the altruistic Enlightenment Mind (bodhicitta), Atisha travelled by sea for many months, and received the instructions from the Teacher Dharmakirti, and later made the instructions flourish forth in Tibet; human nature is of compassion, yet due to outer influences it has acquired the traits of wrath and violence; although Equanimity is listed the last of the Four Immeasurables—immeasurable loving kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity—yet when putting into practice, one begins from Equanimity; all sentient beings are equal by three reasons: all sentient beings want happiness, do not want suffering; all sentient beings have the rights to want happiness and not to want suffering; all sentient beings have the same potential to become enlightened; Buddhahood is not the goal, it is the method (the solution), the goal is others’ welfare; even for someone who does not belief in religion, they do want peace and happiness; these and many insights were presented.
At the end, the Principal of the School of Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre gave the gratitude speech.
During the intervals of the programmes for the event, the students of the School presented songs on Compassion, and a variety of traditional dances. Over a thousand people, comprising of dignitaries, students and members of public, gathered for the event.
