Long-Life Prayers Offered for the Dalai Lama in McLeodganj

Under clear autumn skies, the Dalai Lama arrived at the main temple in McLeodganj, where he was welcomed with festive songs by Tashi Sholpa dancers and women dressed in traditional attire.

Hundreds of representatives from the Dhanglob community gathered at the Tsuglagkhang, the main Tibetan temple, to take part in a long-life prayer ceremony for the Dalai Lama as part of the ongoing Guru Bumtsok — the One Hundred Thousand Offerings to Guru Padmasambhava.

Senior abbots and scholars from several major monasteries — including Ganden Shartse, Drepung Gomang, Gyuto, and Namgyal — attended the ceremony, along with Ganden Trisur Rinpoche, Sharpa Choje, and the young reincarnation of Lhagyal Rinpoche.

The Long-Life Ritual of Amitayus, composed by the Fifth Dalai Lama, was led by Thomthok Rinpoche and attended by more than 3,500 devotees. As part of the ritual, Thomthok Rinpoche and the Dalai Lama symbolically raised the long-life arrow, representing the gathering of positive energy and blessings.

Offerings of tsog, nectar, long-life pills, and ritual cakes were made, along with mandalas and images symbolizing the body, speech, and mind of the Buddha.

Members of the Dhanglob community also carried statues, scriptures, and symbolic offerings in a procession through the temple courtyard, which concluded with the recitation of The Song of Immortality — a prayer composed by the Dalai Lama’s teachers. A contemporary musical performance was also presented during the event.

The concluding prayers included verses for the flourishing of the Dharma, the words of truth, and traditional long-life supplications for the Dalai Lama.

In his address, the Dalai Lama expressed appreciation for the participants’ devotion and offered his blessings to all those present.