Dalai Lama inaugurates Buddhist Monastic Institute in Gopalpur near Dharamsala

Gopalpur (Himachal Pradesh), Sep.12 (ANI): Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Sunday inaugurated a Buddhist monastic institute at Gopalpur area near Dharamsala in Himachal's Palampur district.

Over a hundred admirers and followers of the Dalai Lama gathered to seek his blessings, as he inaugurated this institution named Dorzong Buddhist Monastic Institute.

The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorjee, was also present on the occasion.

The Dalai Lama and Karmapa jointly held a prayer session in the monastery.

Tibetan Buddhist monks of Dorzong Institute from Tashi Jong also came to offer prayers and to receive the Tibetan spiritual leader.

According to P Atisha, Secretary of Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR), Tibetan Government-in-exile, it is a special occasion as the efforts of Dorzong Rinpoche bore the fruit at the hands of the Dalai Lama.

"Today is a very special occasion for Dorzong Rinpoche and particularly to the Tashi Jong Monastery, because of Dorzong Rinpoche's initiative this Dorzong Buddhist Institute has been inaugurated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama," said P Atisha.

An estimated 80,000 Tibetans arrived in India along with the Dalai Lama after an abortive uprising against the Chinese rule in 1959 and over the years their numbers have swelled. (ANI)