Leh, Ladakh: Tens of thousands of devotees gathered at the Kalachakra Teaching Ground near Shewatsel Phodrang, where His Holiness the Dalai Lama attended a grand Long Life Prayer offering organised by the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and the Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA).
An estimated 50,000 people braved the blazing sun to participate in the sacred ceremony. As traditional Ladakhi drummers and horn players welcomed him, His Holiness was escorted from his residence to the teaching pavilion. Upon arrival, he paid homage to the image of the Buddha before greeting the crowd with smiles and waves.
The ritual began with the Prayer of the Three Continuums, followed by invocations to the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. Tea and ceremonial sweet rice were served, and offerings were made, including a mandala, representations of the Buddha’s body, speech, and mind, and auspicious symbols symbolising long life and prosperity.
The ceremony drew upon the Prayer to the Sixteen Arhats, guardians of the Buddha’s teachings. It featured the Seven Limb Offering and Tsog. The highlight was the chanting of The Song of Immortality, composed by His Holiness’s tutors, as a long procession of local devotees passed with offerings.
With deep reverence, the gathering prayed for the Dalai Lama’s continued health and longevity, expressing the wish that his life and guidance would continue to inspire generations to come. His Holiness, visibly moved, addressed the congregation after the ceremony.