The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama after completing his three days programs in Mumbai arrived in New Delhi on Saturday and then arrived in Bodhgaya by an early morning flight on Sunday. His Holiness is scheduled to spend three weeks in the holy place this season.
The Tibetan spiritual leader who arrived in Bodhgaya at around 11 in the Sunday morning was welcomed by thousands of devotees from around the world, especially from the Himalayan regions lined along the road of his motorcade.
While there are an estimated gathering of 50,000 devotees to be present in the holy city to attend teachings to be given by His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his stay, the local authorities have ensured elaborate security arrangements, especially following last visit’s security threat.
As per the final schedule, the Dalai Lama on arrival at Bodh Gaya will offer prayers under the Bodhi Tree. Between December 22-23 His Holiness will participate in the seminar on Buddhism organized by the Vat Thai monastery in Bodh Gaya. His Holiness will also carry out a three-day special rituals with his devotees from December 24-26.
His Holiness will give 3 days of teachings on December 28, 29 and 30 mornings on Gyalsey Thokme Sangpo’s 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva (laklen sodunma) and Dharmakirti’s Pramanavartika – Commentary on Valid Cognition (tsema namdrel). The latter topic is a continuation of His earlier teaching given in December 2015 at the request of Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. On December 31 morning, a long life offering for His Holiness will be given.
The Dalai Lama would visit several educational institutions and take part in the programmes organised by the school children and teachers and is likely to leave for Dharamshala on January 9.