Dalai Lama presides over 21st anniversary of Norbulingka

Tribune News Service

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Dharamsala, March 9

The Norbulingka Institute that is credited with saving the Tibetan arts in exile observed its 21st anniversary here today. The ceremony was presided over by the Dalai Lama.

Addressing the ceremony, the Dalai Lama praised the institute for its accomplishments and thanked its founder Kalon Trisur Tenzin Kelsang Yeshi for his contributions.

“Now nearing our 20-year mark, most of the original masters has passed away and it is up to the students who will carry the legacy forward. The quality of the craftsmanship remains at the highest standard today, which is a testament to the dedication of our masters and their faultless transmission of the craft. The scholarship at Tibetan cultural institutes like Norbulingka, Tibet House and Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, are the legacy and we must pass on to the new generation. We must do so with a strong belief in our collective strength and unwavering dedication to preserve our culture, identity and religion for many years to come,” he said.

The Dalai Lama said, “Despite facing a myriad of challenges in the last 60 years, Tibetan people have preserved their identity, spirit to learn and preserve our century old culture, habits and religion. The Tibetans inside Tibet have experienced the most difficult times in the history but their hope and determination has only grown stronger. At the backbone of their resilience and unwavering spirit lies our knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism and the Nalanda thoughts, which is deeply embedded in Tibetan culture and way of life.”

“I believe we have kept our traditions alive not merely for our own benefit, but for the good of the world. There is growing appreciation for Buddhist philosophy and its approach on mind and inner happiness,” the Dalai Lama said.

He said an understanding of the workings of human mind and emotions as analysed in Buddhist psychology could be the only effective technology to promote happiness and peace of mind.

In his welcome address, Kalon (Minister in Tibetan government in exile) Trisur Tenzin Kalsang Yeshi highlighted the Norbulingka Institute’s growth through the years, its plans to further improve the quality of education and to further develop the skills of the students.

The occasion was marked by unveiling of Thangka painting of all the 14 Dalai Lamas and the great Tibetan emperors and the unveiling of Tibetan encyclopedia by Sikyong Lobsang Sangay.

In 1995, Norbulingka Institute was officially inaugurated by the Dalai Lama. It was originally founded in 1988 by Kalon Trisur Kelsang Yeshi and Kim Yeshi at Sidhpur, near Dharamsala, and is dedicated to the preservation of the Tibetan culture in its literary and artistic forms. The institution strives to hand down the Tibetan tradition and restoring standards by providing training, education and employment to Tibetans.