Transcript of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Statement
(Bodh Gaya | January 24, 2002)
The reason why I briefly wanted to meet you is not connected with spiritual or religious matters. Since I have been here for several days I thought is best if I met with you briefly. I wanted to brief you on the events and developments and what we should do in the future. At first we should say a short prayer. Normally I am in very good health. Because of this my officials and advisers have always been recommending that I relax more and take more rest. But I have always tended to ignore this piece of advice. I have been stubborn in not listening to their advice. When I came from South India to Bodhgaya I was in excellent health. A week back I made a pilgrimage to Nalanda and the Vulture's Peak. Normally in Tibetan tradition we believe that if we face difficulties and obstacles during our pilgrimage we will gain more spiritual merit. So I walked up to the Vulture's Peak with a help of a walking stick. For a year I had some minor problems with my knee. Remembering the many kindnesses of the Buddha I made this pilgrimage. I perspired a lot. I prayed a great deal at the Vulture's Peak. I think I became ill because I was exposed to extreme temperatures. In the afternoon I had lunch and made a pilgrimage to Nalanda. After that I want by car to Patna. The journey by car was two hours but after about an hour in the car I developed extreme pain in my stomach. The pain in my stomach increased when I arrived at the hotel in Patna. Also I perspired a lot. I think I became exposed to extreme temperatures. I took both Tibetan and Western medicines and my basic illness has been cured but I think it will take some time for me to recover completely.
When I was 37 years old I suffered from jaundice. It took more than two or three weeks for me to recover. I suffer from exhaustion, though I suffer from no pain. Normally when I have fever or other ailments I recover rapidly. This time although I have recovered, I still suffer from exhaustion and I tired very quickly. Because of this I have not in able to conduct the preliminary teachings. Because of the prolonged prayers and many hours of preparation for the conduct of the Kalachakra Teachings I thought in my present health it would be foolish on my part to persist in giving what is basically a very exhausting set of teachings and empowerment. Normally we advise people not be stubborn and if I myself remain stubborn I see no benefit and reason. Because of this I decided to postpone the Kalachakra Teachings.
Earlier on thinking that I will be able to proceed with the Kalachakra Teachings I thought of making the preparations for the teachings and the accompanying prayers not from the Kalachakra Temple but from my room, linking my room by wireless to the main sound system of the temple. So in this way I landed up performing an unusual Kalachakra Teaching preparation. So I thought it will be best if I postponed the Kalachakra Teachings.
As said by Shantideva in his The Way of the Boddhisattva, for the sake of repaying the many kindnesses of the lamas and great masters, it is better to remain in good health and live long to benefit the Dharma and sentient beings. For these reasons, to remain in good health is important and I have decided to postpone the Kalachakra Teachings. So I have decided to hold the Kalachakra Teachings again in Bodh Gaya between the eleventh and twelfth months of the Tibetan calendar next year. I will need to consult with those who are organizing the Kalachakra Teachings on this issue.
I think it has been easier for those who came from the settlements, monasteries, and from close by. But for those who came from great distances and with great dedication and commitment and overcoming great difficulties, I would like to state that you should not be disappointed by the postponement of the Kalachakra Teachings. This is because the reason why you are here in Bodh Gaya is because of your great motivation to spiritually benefit from being in such a sacred place and because of this your will have accumulated great merit for every step you take.
I felt a little better once I sat on the throne. If I feel better, I will give short teachings on January 26 and 27, and on January 28, I will conduct the long life blessing ceremony and accept the long life offering ceremony.
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