Dalai Lama to give first teaching since Covid-19 pandemic

By Tenzin Dharpo

DHARAMSHALA, May 6: The exiled Tibetan leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama who has not made any public appearances since late January will give a two-day public teaching online from May 16-17, his office announced Wednesday.

“At the request of individuals and groups from around the world, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has graciously consented to give a two-day teaching on Chapters 1 and 4 of Master Nagarjuna’s “Precious Garland (rinchen trengwa)”, the announcement read.

The office further said that His Holiness has also been requested to provide general advice appropriate to these challenging times.

The Tibetan leader suspended all engagements and meetings in February following the outbreak of the Covid-19 around the world. His office at the moment said the Dalai Lama has heeded advice of his personal physician as well as consultants to postpone all public engagement for the time being.

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the octogenarian Tibetan leader engaged with the pubic whether through audiences at his residence here in McLeod Ganj or when he travelled to give public talks and religious teachings.

The live-cast teaching in mid-may will be the first public teaching the Dalai Lama has given since the coronavirus pandemic. On Sunday the Dalai Lama called for a coordinated response to the pandemic. “In this time of serious crisis, we face threats to our health and sadness for the family and friends we have lost. Economic disruption is posing a major challenge to governments and undermining the ability of so many people to make a living,” the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said in a statement on May 3.