The Central Tibetan Administration will offer long life prayers (Tenshug) to Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on 31 December, 2018 at Bodh Gaya in Bihar.
CTA’s Tenshug offering will represent the collective aspirations of six million Tibetans and their fervent prayers for Dalai Lama’s long and healthy life.
A CTA official said heads of the three pillars of Tibetan democracy, as well as heads of independent offices of CTA, will be present at the Tenshug offering.
Amidst the elaborate ceremonial offerings which will be presented to Dalai Lama, the CTA will make an offering of 113 statues of Buddha, symbolising Tibetan spiritual affirmation to live for at least 113 years.
As a part of the ceremony, CTA will also present Buddha statues to all the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries in India. Representatives and caretakers of all the 276 Registered Tibetan monasteries and nunneries across India will participate in the ceremony.
The offering of the Buddha statue to the Buddhist centres is an auspicious symbolism of the fulfilment of Dalai Lama’s advice for the Buddhist community to be 21st century Buddhists.
The Tenshug offering is also being observed for the pacification of all obstacles of this 84th year of Dalai Lama’s life, and for the fulfilment of his benevolent wishes.
The Tenshug ceremony will be preceded by a three-day empowerment blessing by him in Bodh Gaya from 28 to 30 December.
The 104th Gaden Tripa will conduct as the Dorje Lopon of the ceremony.
Tenshug is the Tibetan term for a ceremonial long life prayer offering to a spiritual teacher. The Buddhist ritual is an expression of devotion and gratitude towards the spiritual leader.