The 33rd Kalachakra initiation begins with the preliminary process of Initiation on 6th July. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has turned 79 years old with this year and hundreds of devotees had gathered to offer him congratulations and good wishes and prayed for his long life at Jivetsal Photang in Choglamsar.

On his birthday NN Vohra, Governor of Jammu & Kashmir was also a part of the celebration at his Jiwetsal residence. 

Many dignitaries gathered and wished him for his long life. Among the dignitaries the first to speak was the Kalon for Religious & Cultural Affairs, Pema Chonjor, of the Tibetan Government-in-exile.

On behalf of Tibetans in Tibet and elsewhere, he recalled His Holiness's remark that he might live for 113, and requested him to do so. He also noted the kindness with which His Holiness has looked after the Tibetan people and the success of his efforts to preserve Tibetan language, religion and culture in exile. He said Tibetans in Tibet continue to be devoted to His Holiness, as revealed by the more than 130 who have committed self-immolation calling for his return, as well as for freedom in Tibet.

Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, mentioned that he was born in a village close to the birthplace of Je Tsongkhapa. He prayed that His Holiness live long and that his wishes be fulfilled. He thanked the GOI and govt. of Jammu & Kashmir, as well as the people of Ladakh, for the help they have extended to the Tibetans.

Saif-ud-Din, President of Anjuman Moin-ul-islam and Asharaf Ali Barchapa, President of Anjuman Imamaia, Leh local Muslim leaders also offered greetings to His Holiness on this auspicious day. Commenting that all Ladakhis, not only the Buddhists, revere His Holiness and the advice he gives.
 
Rigzin Spalbar, CEC, prayed for His Holiness's long life and expressed appreciation over the Kalachakra empowerment for the third time in Ladakh.

Minister for Urban Development, Nawang Rigzin Jora, recalled the Kalachakra empowerments of 1976 in Leh and of 1988 in Zanskar, events that had ushered in a Ladakhi renaissance. He said that as a beacon of peace and harmony, His Holiness is to the 21st century what Mahatma Gandhi was to the 20th century.

Geshe Konchok Namgail, President All-Ladakh Gonpa Association, referred to Tibetans and Ladakhis as one people, while Dr Tondup Tsewang, President, Ladakh Buddhist Association, announced that 108,000 people had so far registered to attend the Kalachakra empowerment. He thanked all the organizers and prayed that His Holiness live long and that the people of Tibet soon achieve the autonomy they have been seeking.

Richard Gere, actor and student of His Holiness called himself lucky that he lived at the same time as His Holiness, saying that not only to know him, but also to be able to listen to him was fortunate. On behalf of the more than 4000 other foreigners in the audience, he wished His Holiness on this occasion.

Two spontaneous possessions took place, first was a local muslim woman, who reportedly channels Palden Lhamo, came forward in spontaneous trance to pay her respects at His Holiness's feet. And second time it was a man who His Holiness said was a vehicle for Nyanchen Thangla, a Tibetan protective spirit contemporary with Emperor Trisong Detsen in the 8th century.

His Holiness addressing the devotees said, “The people of Ladakh, Tibetans and visitors from abroad are making prayers for my well-being. You are joined by many others who are not here, especially people in Tibet who have a special connection with me, many of whom are not allowed to express their faith and support; I greet all of you. In Mongolia, Russia and Taiwan, and even quietly in mainland China, I believe celebrations are taking place; I thank everyone taking part.”

His Holiness outlined his three commitments to promoting human values, fostering inter-religious harmony and, as a Tibetan, his eagerness to preserve Tibetan language, religion and culture and protect Tibet's fragile environment.

He called on his listeners to contribute to making the 21st century an era of peace and harmony, an era in which problems are not addressed by force but by non-violent means.

His Holiness explained Nagarjuna's ‘Precious Garland' and ‘Letter to a Friend' as an introduction to the Buddha's teaching and in preparation for the Kalachakra empowerment.

He said he had received the ‘Precious Garland' from Tsenshab Serkong Rinpoche and the ‘Letter to a Friend' from Khunu Lama Rinpoche.

His Holiness stressed on analysing the teachings of Buddha and said, “It is extremely important that those of us who follow the Buddha should have faith based on knowledge of his teaching. Therefore, we should examine the reasons for it with an unbiased and inquisitive mind, analysing it closely."

At the end of the teaching His Holiness launched a new book, the ‘Compendium of Buddhist Science'. Three years in preparation, it contains accounts of Buddhist science, particularly the science of the mind extracted from the Kangyur and Tengyur, the translated Canon of Buddhist scriptures.

On July 6, the Tibetan edition was released, and English, Hindi and Chinese are under translations and it is hoped the English will be finalised by the end of the year.