Dalai Lama determined to live more than 100 years to continue to serve Buddhadharma

“This long-life ceremony offered with sincere hearts has been successful from beginning to end. I pray and am determined to live for more than 100 years.

“At the time when  Buddhadharma is in decline and yet there have been many causes and conditions for me to be able to serve the teaching of the Buddha.I pray and am determined to live for more than 100 years. said Holiness the Dalai Lama Apr 3 at a ceremony to offer long-life prayers to him made by the Toepa and Purang Tibetan communities.

His Holiness said the heartfelt sincerity of devotion of those making the offering has been a source encouragement to him. Besides, he said, doctors most recently told him that he was in sound health.

The ceremony was led by Ling Rinpoché. He was joined in the front row by the two reincarnations of Trulshik Rinpoché and to his right, the Abbot of Sera-mé, the Lobpön of his Namgyal Monastery and Bodong Rinpoché. To his left sat the Abbot of Drepung Loseling and the Abbot of Tawang Monastery.

In his address at the end of the ceremony, His Holiness said: “This is a time when the Buddhadharma is in (a bit of a) decline and yet there have been many causes and conditions for me to be able to serve the teaching of the Buddha. Today, in places where the Dharma had not previously spread, people are taking interest in what the Buddha had to say about the workings of the mind and emotions, scientists particularly among them.

“Whether they are religious or not, there are growing numbers of people who appreciate that we can bring peace to the world by first achieving peace within. In this context this is my prayer:

“Wherever the Buddha’s teaching has not spread
And wherever it has spread but has declined
May I, moved by great compassion, clearly elucidate
This treasury of excellent benefit and happiness for all.”

He also said: “At the same time, I would like to encourage people to have a keener sense of ethics, to serve humanity and, through understanding the functioning of their minds and emotions, to cultivate peace of mind. The inner and outer conditions exist for me to do this and the Dharma Protectors, who take responsibility for defending and preserving the Dharma, are helping me in what I’m trying to do.”

A group of women sang:

A good star has appeared in the sky,
The sun shines upon this earth,
How wonderful it is we have the blessings of our spiritual master
—may he live long.