Excelsior Correspondent
Leh, July 11: Kalachakara initiation by Dalai Lama was witnessed by a record gathering of over 144000 devotees at Jivetsal today amidst heightened security by police and paramilitary assisted by thousands of Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) volunteers to ensure smooth conduct of the three-day event.
Devotees also took vows to observe principal precepts given by Dalai Lama before receiving this special teaching under Kalachakara considered among the supreme teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism of Nalanda tradition preserved by Tibetans.
High spiritual masters, learned monks, hundreds of foreign devotees including Hollywood actor Richard Gere, local leaders were among those who took the vows, which comprise abstaining from killing, lying , adultery and alcoholic abuse. Sacred threads and grass were distributed as an important part of this ritual.
After the culmination of the three-day event, Dalai Lama will offer Tsewang (blessings) followed by opening the Mandala specially designed Buddhist art of universe with sand colours.
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