Dalai Lama begins Bodh Gaya trip
By IANSMonday, January 4, 2010
PATNA - Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama Monday began a six day visit to Bodh Gaya, the place in Bihar where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
The Dalai Lama reached Bodh Gaya, 110 km from here, by a chartered flight. During his visit, he will give religious discourses for five consecutive days from Jan 5.
Soon after his arrival, he proceeded to the Tibetan Mahayana temple followed by a visit to pray at the Mahabodhi temple, said Tenzing Lama of the Tibetan monastery at Bodh Gaya. The 1,500-year-old temple is the holiest Buddhist shrine as it was built near the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment,
“Over 50,000 people from all over the world are expected to assemble at Bodh Gaya’s Kalchakra Maidan to hear a discourse by the Dalai Lama,” Tenzing added. The discourses would be broadcast on FM radio channels in different languages including English and Hindi.
Thousands of Tibetans have already arrived in Bodh Gaya from all across India to attend the discourse.
Bihar Home Secretary Amir Subhani said that elaborate security arrangements have been made for the Dalai Lama. “He has been provided security as per protocol.”
Gaya District Magistrate Sanjay Singh said fool-proof security was in place for the Tibetan spiritual leader during his visit to Bodh Gaya as he faces a serious threat to his life.
