Celebrating H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama’s Birthday in Kechara
This post was submitted by Kechara House, which is our temple (gompa) department.
From the state of an exalted, white virtuous mind,
I and all mother sentient beings, vast as space;
From this moment until our Enlightenment,
Go for refuge to the Gurus and the Three Precious Gems.(Verse 2, Lama Chopa composed by the First Panchen Lama, Losang Chokyi Gyaltsen)
On July 6, 2015 Kechara held a special event to celebrate the 80th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Tenzin Gyatso. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is known all over the world for his great compassion. A tireless teacher who works continuously to promote peace and harmony, His Holiness is considered by Tibetan Buddhists to be the emanation of Chenrezig, the Buddha of Compassion. To non-Tibetan Buddhists, his image is synonymous with Buddhism and peace.
Thus, following the advice of our Spiritual Advisor, His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche, this celebration is held annually as a sign of respect for such a high lama who has dedicated his whole life to liberate countless beings from samsara. His Holiness’ birthday is celebrated in Kechara with the recitation of the Lama Chopa Puja (Sanskrit: Guru Puja) and prayers to request for His Holiness’ continued good health and long life.
For the Buddha’s teachings to remain in this world and benefit sentient beings, the manifestation of great reincarnated Lamas such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama is precious, like a wish-fulfilling jewel. They are the ones who have both an intellectual understanding and actual realisations of the Dharma within their mind which allows them to transmit such precious teachings perfectly to appropriate disciples. Without them to show us the path of practice, there will be no way to liberation for regular samsaric beings like us.
We would like to thank all who participated in this blessed event and offer our prayers to His Holiness. May His Holiness continue to turn the wheel of Dharma for the benefit of all sentient beings. May our sincere prayers beseeching the Lamas and Buddhas to stay with us come to fruition, so that we may benefit from their divine assistance and guidance in our lives.
We wish his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama a very Happy Birthday and a very long and healthy life!
We prostrate at your lotus-feet, O Vajradhara-Gurus,
Your jewel-like bodies, through compassion,
Bestow in an instant even the supreme attainment
Of the Three Bodies, the Sphere of Great Bliss.(Verse 18, Lama Chopa composed by the First Panchen Lama, Losang Chokyi Gyaltsen)
Prepared by Pastor Niral Patel. Special thanks to Teh Guat Hee, Joe Kit and Kwai Yee for the photographs.
President of Kechara House, Datuk May Phng making offerings to H.E. Tsem Rinpoche's throne on behalf of all of Rinpoche's students
Pastor Niral Patel performing his duties as the emcee of the event
As is traditional, the motivation for the puja was set before recitation of the prayers
Under the gaze of an image of His Holiness, attendees joined in the puja and recited praises of the lineage gurus
Pastor Chia leading the melodious tune of the Lama Chopa puja
Pastor Han Nee, Pastor Adeline and Pastor Gim Lee joined the chorus of voices praising the lineage lamas
Pastor KH Ng, Pastor Niral and Pastor Chia reciting the mantra of Chenrezig during the puja
Attendees praying for the long life of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
The celebratory prayers were attended by both young and old
Organised by Kechara House, this annual event is a puja for His Holiness the Dalai Lama's long life
Following the advice of Kechara's Spiritual Advisor, His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche, annual prayers are held to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday
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The 14th Dalai Lama had done so much for Buddhism.
The celebration of his Holiness, The 14th Dalai Lama’s 80th Birthday on July 6th,2015, was held ANNUALLY, as a mark of respect, for such a high Lama, who has dedicated his whole life to liberate beings from samasara. To all Buddhists around the World, the Dalai Lama is said to embody the Epitome of their faith, the highest of Human aspirations. For them, The Dalai Lama is a Bodisattva, one who consciously chooses to be born in human form, with its inevitable sufferings of old age, sickness and death – in order to teach and serve Humanity. May we wish that in this land, encircled by a source of every benefit, peace and joy, may he remain in this life until samsara’s end! OM MANI PADME HUNG.
This is good!
We celebrated His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s birthday in Kechara every year with Guru Puja. It is a yearly event we have never missed here. We respect and love the Dalai Lama very much and we wish for His long life and stable health to continue turning the dharma wheel.