Dharamshala: Today, prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s long life were offered to him at the Tsuglagkhang, the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala, by the Lhokha Cultural & Welfare Association, Namgyal Institute, Ithaca, and Young Tibetans from Across the World. An estimated 4000 people gathered in the temple and courtyard.For young Tibetans taking part in the ceremony to offer prayers for His Holiness’s long life, the event preceded a Tibetan Youth Festival that will take place over the next three days. It will focus on commitment (damtshik), connection (drelam) and celebration (gahzom) as young Tibetans reaffirm their faith and reverence for His Holiness.This morning, His Holiness arrived at the gate to his residence in a golf cart and was welcomed by members of the various organising bodies. In the courtyard beyond the gate, monks from Gongkar Chödé beat the large drums strapped to their backs in welcome. After them, a group of Tibetan women sang in greeting. His Holiness showed his appreciation in his smiling face and waved to the crowd.At the temple door, Sikyong Penpa Tsering stepped forward to greet His Holiness, and Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoché offered him a silk scarf. His Holiness took his seat. In the front row facing him, and presiding over today’s ceremony, sat Avikrita Vajra Rinpoché of the Sakya Phuntsok Phodrang and Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoché of Lhodrak Kharchu Monastery.The prayers began including the seven-line prayer to Guru Rinpoché and an invocation of the five Dakinis. This was followed by an invocation of Knowledge Holders, the refrain of which was, “The time has come, please grant the spiritual accomplishment of an immortal life”. Tsog was offered. A long Mandala Offering was made with a request to the Lama to accept the prayers for his long life.A procession of people bearing offerings began to file through the temple requesting His Holiness to accept their requests that he live long. Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoché offered him representations of the body, speech and mind of the Buddha. As the Lama was visualized as embodying the Buddhas of the three times he was offered a vase of longevity, the nectar of immortality, long-life pills, ritual cakes associated with long life, the eight auspicious objects, the seven royal emblems, and the eight auspicious substances.The prayer for His Holiness’s long life composed by Jamyang Khyentsé Chökyi Lodro was recited and followed by the prayer written by His Holiness’s two tutors.A group of students from TCV sang, “We have no one kinder to us than you, Your Holiness. May you Tenzin Gyatso live forever. May you return to Tibet so Tibetans within Tibet and beyond may be united once more.” A group of adults from Lhoka also sang. Both groups of singers received warm applause.His Holiness then addressed the congregation:“So, here today, all of us have gathered with great dedication and absolute sincerity. Since I was a child, I have been regarded as Gyalwa Tenzin Gyatso, the Dalai Lama. I received teachings from Tagdrag Rinpoché, Ling Rinpoché and Trijang Rinpoché and my Debate Assistants helped me study philosophy and logic. I pursued Buddhist philosophy with great enthusiasm.“Eventually I had to come into exile, but before I left Norbulingka I went to pray before the statue of Six-armed Mahakala. I felt sorry to leave him behind, but I still have a strong impression of what he looked like.“Since I came into exile, I’ve visited many different countries around the world. Today, we’re here in Dharamsala, North India and you’ve offered prayers for my long life with unmatched dedication, courage and reverence. You’ve offered prayers with great sincerity and dedication. In exile I have led the Tibetan administration and engaged in spiritual affairs.“I was born in Amdo, but moved to Central Tibet where I pursued my studies of the Perfection of Wisdom, the philosophy of the Middle Way and so forth. As far as the Treasury of Knowledge, the Abhidharmakosha, by Vasubandhu, is concerned, I had neither enthusiasm for nor much belief in its description of the formation of the world and so forth. But with regard to the Perfection of Wisdom, the Middle Way and logic, I got a taste of what they are about by studying them.“I’ve been through lots of ups and downs, but these have not affected my health, or my determination, whatever the Chinese may say, to go where my karma takes me. In China proper there are growing numbers of people taking an interest in the Buddhist tradition. I am determined to be of benefit to everyone. I take a broad view and always try to look at things from a wider perspective, to benefit everyone without distinction.“Today, here in India, these prayers for my long life have been organized by Young Tibetans from Across the World, the Lhokha Cultural & Welfare Association and Namgyal Monastery’s Institute for Buddhist Studies in Ithaca, New York. Although we are living in an era of decline and many changes are taking place, at the same time the Dalai Lama has become widely admired around the world. As a result of karma I have created and prayers I have made in the past, I pray that meeting with me, or listening to my teaching, will leave a strong, positive imprint on your minds so you will be taken care of and guided by Chenrezig in life after life. Of course, you should make prayers about this too.“It’s quite natural that we should come together for a while and then disperse, but your faith and reverence is unwavering. It will continue in life after life. You have offered prayers here today that I will live long and I have made my own prayers that I will be able to continue to fulfil my responsibilities for the benefit of the Tibetan people, our spiritual traditions and for humanity in general.“It’s not only Buddhists who admire what I have to say. Christians, scientists and even people with no religious faith do too. According to the wishes you have expressed I will live long. I pray that as Buddhism spreads and flourishes in China, the faith and respect of people in many different places connected with the Dalai Lama will become firm, stable and profound.“Not so long ago I had a vision of being in a large hall with the Buddha. He beckoned to me and seemed to be very pleased with me. I felt that I was someone who has been serving the Buddha and his teaching. I am determined to continue to do this.“There are leaders in the world who exercise their power and authority through the use of weapons. The Dalai Lama, however, leads people with faith and reverence. not with guns or knives, I seek to benefit as many people as I can.“Great changes have been taking place in China. Meanwhile, I live in India from where my name has become respected and well-known in other parts of the world. I do my best to serve others and you should do the same.“With regard to the prayers for my long life that have been made today, I feel that I will live for many years to come. I dedicate my body, speech and mind to the service of others. As soon as I wake in the morning, I renew my commitment to the benefit of all sentient beings. I cultivate the awakening mind of bodhichitta within. I make prayers that I may accomplish these goals and I encourage you to do so too.”The ceremony concluded with a prayer to Guru Rinpoché— “May we quickly fulfil all our good wishes.” A thanksgiving mandala was offered. Finally, recitation of His Holiness’s ‘Prayer for the Flourishing of the Dharma’ brought the ceremony to an end.After His Holiness had returned to his residence, smiling and waving to members of the crowd as he went, the congregation continued to celebrate the occasion with singing and dancing in the temple courtyard.