Bodh Gaya, January 7 – His Holiness the Dalai Lama arrived in Bodh Gaya from Patna by road at around 10:00 this morning. His Holiness was received here by Kalon Thupten Lungrig, Kalon for Religion & Culture and Education, Ven. Lama Chosphel Zotpa, Vice-Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Govt. of India, senior officers of the district administration of Gaya, the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, Ven. Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, the abbots of Densa-sum and other high lamas, Ven. Lama Soepa Rinpoche of Tushita Centre, Mr. Thupten Tashi Anyetsang, Secretary of Department of Religion and Culture, and the 17 sponsors of the Kalachakra pooja. TIPA artists and members of the Kyidong Association presented a traditional welcome song on His Holiness’ arrival here. Local people and devotees lined up along the routes to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Later in the afternoon at 1:15 p.m., His Holiness the Dalai Lama visited the Great Stupa and attended the concluding session of Kagyu Monlam. His Holiness was received at the stupa by Gyalwa Karmapa. His Holiness returned to Maitreya Project at 3:00 p.m.
The Gelug Monlam began early this morning and will continue till January 11 at the Kalachakra Maidan.
The Tibet Museum, a photo exhibition by DIIR, was inaugurated here this afternoon by Ven Lama Chosphel Zotpa, Vice-Chairman of National Commission of Scheduled Castes and Tribes, Govt. of India. A new publication in Tibetan language published by DIIR in commemoration of the 360th Anniversary of the founding of Gaden Phodrang Government of Tibet was also released by Ven. Lama Chosphel Zotpa in the presence of Kalon Thupten Lungrig and other dignitaries. The book is the proceedings of the seminar on Gaden Phodrang Govt. of Tibet organised by DIIR in Dharamshala last October.
The atmosphere here is very peaceful and pious. The district administration and the local people as well as the devotees are committed to maintain the peace and piety of this land of enlightenment.
Tomorrow being the Nyenpa Guzom, there will be no programme of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
There are reports coming from Patna that some shops of the Tibetan Sweater sellers swept by fire last night.
Contact: Sonam N. Dagpo, Additional Secretary
Masood Butt, Press Coordinator
Department of Information & International Relations
Central Tibetan Administration, Dharamshala, India
Camped at: Mahayana Guest House, Bodh Gaya
Tel: +91-631-2200675, 2200756
Fax: +91-631-2200676
E-mail: buttm70@yahoo.com
Website: www.tibet.net
