Main
Ceremony and Public Address |
|
Video
of the Ceremony and
public address
| |
After
the Tsetor puja, His Holiness moved to the prayer hall of Tsuglag Khang (the Main
Temple) and began the official Losar ceremony. Hundreds of invited guest and dignitaries
watched the ceremony from insided, while thousands listened from the courtyard
surrouning the Temple. The ceremony included offerings to His Holiness,
dance performances, and a ritual debate between monks. As they debate theological
points of Buddhist scripture, each participant emphatically claps at the conslusion
of his remark.
Following this ceremony, HIs Holiness walked to the balcony overlooking the courtyard
and greeted the reverent crowd. Many people kept their hands clasped in
prayer position and only hesitantly glanced at the man many regard as a living
Buddha. Looking at His Holiness is actually a recent phenomenon - in former times
this would have been unheard of in Tibet. His Holiness' address was filled
with smiles, encouragement, and humor. He told people to enjoy this day
of celebration and joked about not drinking too much chang (Tibetan wine) or letting
the Thukpa noodles overflow. Following the address, people lined up for more than
an hour to make traditional offerings of kahtas (white linen scarves) on the throne
where he had sat - now considered sacred on account of his recent presence. |