Words of Thanks

Words of Thanks

Date Posted:
November 2007

The following is Rinpoche’s “Vote of Thanks” at the Delhi Dharma Celebration, 2004.

Myself and those of us here today, who are ordinary beings, whose minds are filled with delusion, ignorance, anger, and attachment, so that we cannot even see Guru Shakyamuni in the aspect of Buddha, Avalokiteshvara in the aspect of deity, we see their manifestation in human form because of your Holiness’s limitless, immeasurable compassion.

Just by seeing your holy body and being in your presence, we are able to receive blessings and purify so many of our defilements and negative karma. No words can express your kindness—even just for this.

Especially, we are able to hear your holy speech, granting the foundation or heart of the vast teachings of the Buddha, the most practical advice on how to live a better life, to not harm others, and to use this life only to bring happiness, as well as everlasting happiness, to others.

Definitely, your Holiness has planted the seed of nirvana, great enlightenment, within all of us. Today your Holiness has made our lives so fortunate and precious. Even if we were able to offer billions of dollars and jewels filling entire universes for eons, it would not finish repaying your Holiness’s kindness.

Your Holiness is also the source of the peace and happiness of all living beings, equaling the limitless sky, particularly in this world, working every second for this, no matter how much hardship there is.

Our Guru-ji, Lama Yeshe, the founder of this organization, the FPMT, and Tushita Meditation Centre here in Delhi, started this center and the yearly Dharma Celebration with the intention to hand back the Buddha Dharma to the people of India by requesting His Holiness [to teach].

Tibetan Buddhism came from the Arya land of India. It has been preserved and practiced by the Tibetan people. Like stars in the sky, so many Tibetan meditators became bodhisattvas and achieved enlightenment.

Even though it has been a long time since the complete form of Buddhism: the lesser vehicle, greater vehicle, and secret mantra Vajrayana, have been in India—after the six ornament Pandits there have not been such great beings—it still exists in its entirety in this world in the hearts of the Tibetan people, it did not degenerate. The whole of Buddhism entirely exists in this world by the kindness of Tibetan people and the root, His Holiness—Avalokiteshvara.

So many educated people all over the world are finding understanding of the words and meaning of Buddhism, bringing much peace and happiness in their lives, giving meaning to their lives. This is all by the kindness of the Tibetan people and the root, His Holiness—Avalokiteshvara.

It is time that the people of the motherland of India take back Buddhism, practice it, bring peace and happiness in this world, and achieve enlightenment.

I request myself, and on behalf of all here, for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who is the source of happiness of all living beings equaling the limitless sky and particularly in this world, to have a stable life for many eons and for all your holy wishes to quickly succeed.

And definitely may we have the good fortune to continuously receive teachings in the Tushita Dharma Celebration in all future years.

I would like to thank everyone for coming today, particularly all those who made it possible, especially the organizers of Tushita, director Dr. Renuka Singh and spiritual coordinator Venerable Yeshe, and all the students and benefactors.

More talks by Lama Zopa on this topic:
Great Compassion and His Holiness the Dalai Lama
In Praise of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama