Patna, Dec 31(IANS) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama offered prayers at the Buddhist holy site of Bodh Gaya Saturday, a day ahead of the 10-day-long 32nd Kalachakra puja being held for peace in the world.
Arriving at Bodh Gaya, about 110 km from Patna, the Dalai Lama went straight to the 1,500-year-old Mahabodhi temple – the holiest Buddhist shrine, where he offered prayers, said Lobsang Choedak, the media officer of the Kalchakra arrangement committee.
The Dalai Lama later told media persons that Kalchakra puja is being held for world peace and brotherhood. ‘Our motto is peace, tolerance and brotherhood,’ he said.
The 76-year-old Dalai Lama described India as the ‘land of religions’, citing the tolerance and acceptance showed by its people towards all major religious traditions in the world.
Referring to the human rights violations and torture against Tibetans by China, he said: ‘The truth is always more powerful.’
Meanwhile, district officials said foolproof security has been arranged for the Dalai Lama at Bodh Gaya as he faces serious threat to his life.
Nearly two lakh devotees from all over the world have arrived at Bodh Gaya’s Kalchakra Maidan to hear a discourse by the Dalai Lama Sunday.
Arrangements have been made to translate and communicate the orginal text of the Dalai Lama’s inaugural address at the Kalchakra puja into 240 languages, Tibetan officials said.
Thousands of Tibetans have already arrived at Bodh Gaya from all across India to attend the Dalai Lama’s meeting.
‘The narrow streets at Bodh Gaya are buzzing with Buddhist monks in traditional light and deep maroon robes and yellow hats. Everything has turned spiritual here,’ said a police official posted at Bodh Gaya.
