With Dalai lama arriving in Bihar on Wednesday and then proceeding to Bodh Gaya to conduct the 10-day long 34th Kalchakra puja rituals beginning January 3, the Tibetan Buddhists have started leaving their Mecca following stern warning of the China.
The Chinese Government has warned the Tibetan civilians against their participation in the ‘Kalchakra puja’ to be conducted by the Dalai lama. The warning is stern, sources said, including depriving them of the official facilities and even punishment to their families. They have been directed to leave Bodh Gaya before the end of December.
The Tibetan Buddhists in large number visit the sacred city and take part in ‘Kalchakra puja’ which is being held after a gap of over four years. “Most of the Tibetan Buddhists have already left Bodh Gaya. Many of them who come through Nepal could not arrive here as Nepal did not permit them to cross Nepal-Bihar border,” official sources revealed. Old timers said this was the first time that China has taken such a rigid stand on Tibetans participating in ‘Kalchakra puja’ which was last held in 2012.
Dalai lama on his arrival here and prayed at the Buddha Memorial Park’s Karuna Stupa and prostrated before the statue to Buddha and planted a sapling. CM Nitish Kumar who received the Dalai lama at the airport also accompanied him.
The spiritual head said it was a privilege for him to visit Bodh Gaya and seek blessings of the lord. The message of Buddha of global peace and tolerance was still prevalent and one needed to undergo training of mind to remove anger and tension.
He also praised Nitish for establishing the Buddha Park at the prime land in Patna. He also stressed on peaceful coexistence and love among the Buddhists of different countries.
later on Dalai lama also visited CM residence where he had planted sapling of sacred Bodhi tree years ago and held prayers under this plant which has grown into a tree.
In the afternoon he flew to Bodh Gaya where he would stay at Tibetan Temple facing Mahabodhi temple. Security has been beefed up in Bodh Gaya in view of the threat perception to the spiritual guru.