By Shyamal Sinha
BODH GAYA: His Holiness the Dalai Lama presided over the inaugural and consecration ceremony of the Battsagaan Buddhist Temple in Bodh Gaya. The Batsagaan temple is a branch of the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery, the main centre of Mongolian Buddhists in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
On his arrival at the temple, His Holiness was received by the abbot of Gandan Tegchenling Monastery, Khambo Lama Choi Gyamtso and hundreds of Mongolian Buddhist monks and laypeople.
During the consecration ceremony, His Holiness spoke on the emphatic historical relationship shared by Tibet and Mongolia for well over thousands years, and even before the introduction of Buddhism in both countries.
Advising Mongolians to take leadership in dissemination of Buddhist study, he said, “Historically, Mongolia has been a Buddhist country. Even through a difficult course of history, you have effectively preserved the faith and Buddhist heritage of Mongolia. Now that you have freedom once again, you should start taking the lead in benefiting other people through the teachings of Buddhism.”
“Most of you have fervent faith, so I appeal to you to make an effort to study the Buddhist science, especially the philosophy and logic and not limit yourself to the rituals of worship,” His Holiness stated.
Remarking upon the auspiciousness of inaugurating a Buddhist temple in the very seat of Buddha’s enlightenment, His Holiness congratulated the abbot and hundreds of monks taking part in the ceremony.
His Holiness will confer the preliminary initiation of 34th Kalachakra.
