By LaToya Beatty
Leilani Hotaling of Minnetonka always thought of herself as a Buddhist at heart. “I’ve wanted to somehow become connected with the Buddhist community,” she said. Having done “quite a bit of reading” on Buddhism, she decided to attend the 25th anniversary of the Minnesota Sakya Center. After Friday’s event, Hotaling said she wants to be a Buddhist and seek out a temple.
Members of the Twin Cities Tibetan community celebrated at the center, which is at Phat An Vietnamese Temple in Roseville, and they welcomed Sakya Trizin, who is second only to the Dalai Lama in Tibetan Buddhism. Dozens of followers lined up outside the center hoping to be honored with his blessings. Everyone waited quietly with bowed heads. Some held out white silk scarves hoping that Sakya Trizin, 58, would drape them around their necks as a sign of his blessings.
“It’s pretty special to know that one of the heads of the Sakya lineage is here in Minnesota,” said Kelly Power, 11, of Hopkins.
The Sakya Center opened in 1978 when Sakya Trizin encouraged students in the Twin Cities area to establish a formal meditation group.
As he addressed the participants at the center, Sakya Trizin gave warm greetings and thanks to many members of the Tibetan community, the Minnesota Sakya Center and others who organized the event.
“It’s a great joy for me to participate in this celebration,” he said. “The spiritual part [of the event] is the most important.”
It was the sixth visit to the Twin Cities for Sakya Trizin, who is on a North American teaching tour. “All over the world the need for spiritual assistance is very, very essential,” he said.
He and his son, Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, will conduct classes on various topics of empowerment in Tibetan Buddhism. Sakya Trizin lives in India and is leader of the Sakya school, one of the four major sects of Tibetan Buddhism.
Alanna Hjortland of Maple Grove attended the celebration to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism. She has learned of other Buddhist teachings while studying in Thailand and wants to learn about the differences and similarities.
“I like the Buddhist principles,” she said. “And I just love culture, and I want to learn of cultural events.”
Buddhism is a religion that emphasizes physical and spiritual discipline as a means of liberation from the physical world. Buddhists seek to attain nirvana, a state of peace and freedom from the distractions of desire and self-consciousness.
Ngdub, a representative of the Tibetan community of Minnesota, thanked the Sakya Center for providing a gathering spot for Buddhists and for welcoming Sakya Trizin.
“Without the love and compassion” it wouldn’t have been possible, he said about the center and Sakya Trizin’s visit. “We are greatful and honored to get the Sakya Trizin’s teachings.”
LaToya Beatty is at lbeatty@startribune.com.
