Dharamshala: Dalai Lama has extended Losar (Tibetan New Year ) greetings from Mayo clinic (USA) to Tibetans inside Tibet and those forced to live in exile. The message that was received by video message was released by the Tibetan government in Exile here today.
The Dalai Lama in the message to the Tibetan community greeted ,“As the Tibetan new year is here, I wish you all ‘Tashi Delek’(Tibetan Greetings). I take this opportunity to convey my greetings to our people, ordained and lay, young and old, especially those inside Tibet, as well as those in exile.”
About his medical condition, he disclosed, “Here I am undergoing precautionary prostate treatment.”
One reason I want to tell you this today is that since I have been here undergoing treatment, many people in Tibet and in exile who have strong devotion and faith in me, have taken the responsibility of dedicating prayers and performing rituals for my well being. I want to thank you all. Today it’s as if I am here meeting you all, and I want to tell you that I am doing very well. The treatment only takes few minutes everyday, but it will take time to complete the treatment. Its nothing complicated nor serious. There’s nothing to worry about. I am relaxed and taking it easy. Its almost as if I am taking rest. I spend my time doing my daily recitations in morning and evening and reading other scripture. I want to tell you to not worry at all,” said Dalai Lama in the video message.
During Tibetan New Year, it’s customary to greet each other and wish each other ‘tashi delek’. This is not just an opportunity to offer ‘chema’, drink ‘chaang’, and gamble. According to ‘Chanting the Names of Manjushri’, ‘Tashi’ means, since everybody wants to be happy and no one wants to be miserable, the cause of happiness is giving benefit and joy to others. If you create the causes of happiness, and live your life benefitting others and not harming them, that’s a meaningful life, a life that is essentially ‘tashi’.
‘Delek’ is the result of creating the cause of happiness, ‘De’ meaning attainment of momentary happiness and “lek’ meaning attainment of ultimate enlightenment.
Dalai Lama said,”I want to wish all of you ‘Losar Tashi Delek’ and at the same time, request that please try to live up to the meaning of ‘Tashi Delek’.”
About the hospital he said that the staff was really looking after him with utmost care and attention. “I am relaxed and calm. Many people I know around the world, some of who are spiritual, some who are reputed scientists, many others and even young children have written to me wishing me good health. I want to thank them all. I appreciate everyone who has prayed for me and exerted efforts on my behalf. Thank you,” the Dalai Lama said in his message.
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
