DHARAMSHALA: The organizing committee of 32nd Kalchakra initiation to be held in Bodhgaya in Bihar, on Friday launched a website giving information about the December 31-January 10, 2012 event to devotees. Kalachakra initiation is considered to be one of the biggest religious ceremonies in the Buddhist community worldwide and is sparingly conducted over the years since the practice was first started.
Kalon Tripa (Tibetan prime minister) Prof Samdong Rinponche launched the website on Friday morning at Kahsag secretariat. “None of the previous Dalai Lamas have given Kalachakra initiations as much as the 14th Dalai Lama, who has already initiated 30 Kalachakra teachings so far. The 31st teaching is to be held from July 6 this year in Washington DC.” He said.
As part of his spiritual accomplishments, the Dalai Lama will confer the 32nd Kalachakra initiation at Bodhgaya as requested by late Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Dorjee Khandu and other generous sponsors, he said. According to Tibetan scriptures, the Kalchakra means the time wheel, which is beginningless and endless. Much in the Tibetan tradition revolves around time and cycles (cycles of planets and cycles of births). The practice is supposed to help control subtle energies within one’s body, helping him progress on the path to enlightenment.
The organizers expect huge turnout for the event from across the world, including Tibet, Mongolia, China, Nepal, Bhutan and other Himalayan regions. “We expect about 2 lakh devotees, pilgrims, enthusiasts and visitors for the 32nd Kalchakra,” Nawang Norbu, chairman of the organizing committee told reporters on Friday.
A “World peace prayer” and a “Lifelong prayer offering to Dalai Lama” will also be conducted during the event, which is likely to attract many well-known personalities. The has 22 principal donors — individuals as well as organizations — from across the world. The family of late Dorjee Khandu, who died in a helicopter crash on April 30 this year, will bear the additional expenses, over and above the donations received for the event, Norbu said.