–dalailama.com

Leh, Ladakh: This morning His Holiness the Dalai Lama drove from his residence at the Shewatsel Phodrang to the pavilion at the other end of the teaching ground where he has given the Kalachakra Empowerment twice in the past. The ground was packed with an estimated 50,000 people. Children were debating in front of the stage as His Holiness arrived.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama riding to the pavilion at the Kalachakra Teaching Ground in Leh, Ladakh, India on 16 August 2025. Photo by Tenzin Choejor.

Prayers that were said after he had taken his seat included the ‘Prayer of the Three Continuums’, the ‘Heart Sutra’ and the following aspiration: ‘By whatever merit I may gain by listening to the teachings, May I become a Buddha to benefit all sentient beings’. Tea and sweet rice were distributed and a short mandala offering was made.

His Holiness began by recalling that he lost his own country, Tibet, but came into exile in India. Because he has since lived in the Himalayan Region, it’s a place close to his heart. He noted that the people of the region have a special link to Avalokiteshvara. He spoke of leaving the Norbulingka Palace, crossing the Kyichu river and ascending the pass out of the valley. I felt sad to be leaving but reflected that we are all the same...