Tibetans in Tibet perform prayers secretly during Kalachakra
DHARAMSHALA, JAN 7: Despite stern directives from the Chinese authorities Tibetans in Tibet are clandestinely holding prayers during the period of Tibetan leader’s Kalachakra initiation in Bodh Gaya, according to the Radio Free Asia.
According to sources from Tibet, Tibetans living in townships and villages across Qinghai are doing whatever they can to be involved by ‘forming small groups and practicing privately’.
“In my own village, people are engaged in virtuous activities such as fasting, performing prostrations, and setting animals free,” the source said, “The same things are happening in other places too."
The source also added that Tibetans families are organizing gatherings for recitations and prayers in their homes and monasteries secretly and are being careful not to do anything in public.
“The Chinese authorities cannot prevent this, because it is being done discreetly,” he said on condition of anonymity.
The authorities through official notices have announced that involvement with Kalachakra in anyway is ‘illegal’ and could face imprisonment up to five years.
The notice read, “Anyone engaging in these acts will be in violation of Article 55 of China’s Public Security Law and will face severe consequences.”
In the light of Tibetans from Tibet attending the 34th Kalachakra in Bodh Gaya being called back, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has maintained through out his audience with them that they should not to be dejected but pray on the day of actual initiations. He has also said that he would be praying for them from Bodh Gaya and had asked them to pray during the Kalachakra empowerment on January 11, 12 and 13.
The Kalachakra organizing committee in a press conference has also expressed their disappointment over China’s restrictive measures to stop Tibetans from Tibet to attend the foremost Tibetan Buddhist teachings presided over by the Dalai Lama.
The 34th Kalachakra is organized by the Tibetan government in exile, known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration.
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