HH the Dalai Lama visits Madison
Tenshug: Long life celebration for “Man of Peace”
Tenshug: Long life celebration for “Man of Peace”
| Heidi M. Pascual* Publisher & Editor * 2006 Journalist of the Year for the State of Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA) |
On July 19-24, His Holiness the Dalai Lama — the spiritual and
temporal leader of Tibet who has been in exile in Dharamsala,
India since 1959 — visited Madison, Wis., for the seventh time.
Thousands of people all over the world — of Tibetan descent and
others — came to listen to his teachings and to participate in the
Tenshug, the ceremonial long life offering to HH the Dalai Lama. It
was the first time this special ritual was ever conducted in the West,
and it was conducted at Alliant Energy Center’s Veterans Memorial
Coliseum.
According to Ven. Geshe Sopa’s explanation in Tibetan (as
translated by Sharpa Tulku (Tenzin Trinley), “Tenshug is done to
request the spiritual teacher (lama) to live a long life for the
preservation of the Buddhist teachings (dharma) and the happiness
of all living beings.” Ven. Sopa further wrote: “In order to sustain the
dharma in the world for a long time and to benefit beings, the
lamas have incarnated through successive lives as ordinary
people.”
At the Tenshug ceremony on July 24, the offering was made
through supplications to Goddess White Tara, the deity of longevity.
HH the Dalai Lama delivered his public talk on the first day of his
visit, highlighting the search for happiness of all people, and his
message of peace. The next four days were dedicated to his
teaching, while the evenings were dedicated to cultural shows and
concerts.
temporal leader of Tibet who has been in exile in Dharamsala,
India since 1959 — visited Madison, Wis., for the seventh time.
Thousands of people all over the world — of Tibetan descent and
others — came to listen to his teachings and to participate in the
Tenshug, the ceremonial long life offering to HH the Dalai Lama. It
was the first time this special ritual was ever conducted in the West,
and it was conducted at Alliant Energy Center’s Veterans Memorial
Coliseum.
According to Ven. Geshe Sopa’s explanation in Tibetan (as
translated by Sharpa Tulku (Tenzin Trinley), “Tenshug is done to
request the spiritual teacher (lama) to live a long life for the
preservation of the Buddhist teachings (dharma) and the happiness
of all living beings.” Ven. Sopa further wrote: “In order to sustain the
dharma in the world for a long time and to benefit beings, the
lamas have incarnated through successive lives as ordinary
people.”
At the Tenshug ceremony on July 24, the offering was made
through supplications to Goddess White Tara, the deity of longevity.
HH the Dalai Lama delivered his public talk on the first day of his
visit, highlighting the search for happiness of all people, and his
message of peace. The next four days were dedicated to his
teaching, while the evenings were dedicated to cultural shows and
concerts.
for his teaching on love and compassion,” Tenzin said. “He has a great
connection with Deer Park, the Tibetan community and UW-Madison, especially
Prof. Richard Davidson, that’s why he visited Madison again this year.”
Tenzin told Asian Wisconzine that there are 32 Tibetan communities in
North America, yet HH the Dalai Lama came to Madison, Wis. “We’re very
honored to receive him for two consecutive years,” he said. “It’s a lot of work, but
it’s worth it; and I’m very happy to be part of the organizing committee.”
After the Mega Concert on July 23, attendees and participants gathered at
the Alliant Energy parking lot and held a candlelight vigil. “This candelight vigil
is a worldwide prayer for peace and for those who lost their lives in China’s
earthquake, in the recent Lhasa protests, and in the Burma riots too,” Tenzin
explained. “We are hoping for the best, as far as Tibet is concerned; as His
Holiness the Dalai Lama said, “‘Be optimistic.’”
connection with Deer Park, the Tibetan community and UW-Madison, especially
Prof. Richard Davidson, that’s why he visited Madison again this year.”
Tenzin told Asian Wisconzine that there are 32 Tibetan communities in
North America, yet HH the Dalai Lama came to Madison, Wis. “We’re very
honored to receive him for two consecutive years,” he said. “It’s a lot of work, but
it’s worth it; and I’m very happy to be part of the organizing committee.”
After the Mega Concert on July 23, attendees and participants gathered at
the Alliant Energy parking lot and held a candlelight vigil. “This candelight vigil
is a worldwide prayer for peace and for those who lost their lives in China’s
earthquake, in the recent Lhasa protests, and in the Burma riots too,” Tenzin
explained. “We are hoping for the best, as far as Tibet is concerned; as His
Holiness the Dalai Lama said, “‘Be optimistic.’”
Wis. Tibetan Association President Lobsang
Tenzin (right) was elated by the visit of HH the Dalai
Lama and the huge turnout. “We want HH to live long
Tenzin (right) was elated by the visit of HH the Dalai
Lama and the huge turnout. “We want HH to live long