By Tenzin Menkyi
McLeod Ganj, July 2: Chikdril Tsokpa today hosted prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his turning 80 recently and for the well being of all the sentient beings to mark the Zamling Chisang, the 15th day of the 5th month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar.
The day is commemorated by Tibetan Buddhists as Zamling Chisang ( Universal Prayer Day) and is listed as public holiday on the official calendar of Tibet.
Zamling Chizang is originally meant to commemorate Guru Rinpoche’s subjugation of the local deities and the founding of Samye Monastery, the first monastery of Tibet.
A spectacle of large amounts of Juniper incense (sang) being burned on the Lhagyal Ri, just as was the tradition, particularly in Lhasa, where fragrant juniper is burned up on the hills of Chakpori, Bumpari and Gephelri.
In his address to the public gathered at Lhagyal Ri, Tenzin Dakpa, President Chigdril Tsogpa announced that the prayers shall be also offered to the victims of Nepal earthquake.
History has it that the 38th Emperor Trisong Detsen invited Guru Padmasambhava to Tibet to subdue the evil mountain deities that besets him. Padmasambhava with his tantric powers tamed the evil deities and made them protectors of Tibet.
