Tuesday, June 22, 2010

2011 Kalachakra

His Holiness the Dalai Lama drew crowd like a rock star. His teachings and public appearance in the west had all the time sold out. People from all walks of life drew inspiration from His Holiness's simple message of universal brotherhood. He had a huge followers in the west and particularly in America. His ardent followers include Hollywood celebrities and high profile politician, statesmen, scientists, and businessmen and lay people.

 If enough karmas were accumulated, then we will have the highest esteem of His Holiness's presence in Washington D.C in 2011. And this time, his presence is religiously  significant, as the idea of His Holiness the Dalai Lama conferring the Kalachakra in the capital city of the world's lone super power float around. Going by what some of the people alleging is that even the venue has been worked out, albeit it is too costly.


The Capital Area Tibetan Association, proposed His Holiness to confer Kalachakra when the association had a public audience with His Holiness last year after Obama's meeting. His Holiness then gracefully asked the organization to examine the possibility of such an important event and the likelihood of its benefits to followers.
I believe CATA probably have done some preliminary studies on the feasibility of such a mega event and its probabe outcome. His Holiness's teachings attracted huge devotees all over the world and therefore have been enormously  successful. The 2011 Kalacharka in Washington D.C is a whole different story, and the organizers must been thorough prepared to make the event a great success and beneficial to all. CATA is a small community organization and the proposal to be the host of such massive event sounds very audacious. The initiation will last for almost 10 days, and such teachings that will stretch over  a period of time requires extreme logistics and organization. Does CATA has the financial resources and man power to effectively handle this daunting task?  Or who are the real sponsors or organizers ? is CATA working on this in collobration with some other groups?

I believe CATA must have a clear purpose of hosting the event, and for picking the year 2011? Words are gooing round that a venue for the event is  booked and then discovered it is too expensive. I don't have a clear picture of who are in the Kalacharka preparation committees, but it is important whoever is involved in this should use sound judgement in decision making. And it is such a daunting task and shouldn't take it lightly. There isnt any official communique to inform the detail of the plan.

Words are going round that tickets for the 2011 Kalacharkra will be around $500. It is by no means an inexpensive teachings. Outside observers and the media may find it an useful fodder to feed. Actually during His Holiess last visist in U.S ,a  reporter asked His Holiness  why the admission to His teaching was relatively expensive, and His Holiness responded that he is not getting a dim from the event, and he often request the organizers to charge reasonably.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Kalachakra initiation is deemed extremely precious and sacred. In India people over all the world including people from Tibet, from the Himalayan regions andother Buddhist followers come to recieve this ones in a life time blessings.  
But coming to Washington D.C for the 10 days will cost a fortune, and one should be able to estimate the estimated attendees for the same. If this Kalacharka opens the gate for all Tibetan in the India subcontinent and Tibet to America, then that will be terrific. Thousands will come in drove, and probably more for a eventual settlement then returning to their respective origins.

For Tibet in the west, it is ones in a blue moon opportunity to receive this most precious empowerment  from His Holiness. As time passes His Holiness'sKalacharka initiation becomes more sacred and more scarce. My wife  already have a tentative plan as for the accommodations of our relatives from European, who excitedly told over the phone, that they will make it. My wife has already asked me to prepare to take  leave during the initiation next year. Since New york is close to Washington D.C, there will be huge Tibetan audience, I believe, but since the Kalacharka initiation is giving in a foreign soil, ideally there should be more western audience, which I can not honestly predicate, however, past teachings by His Holiness had full packed audience.
 A clear account of expenditure and income for the teachings will necessarily be made public, as is the practice, and ideally CATA should have a decent surplus income that will be contributed for Tibetan community development for a long term vision.

Other than  Kalachakra initiation, His Holiness presence is such a wonderful opportunity to showcase Tibetan people's identity and traditions. Aside from the teachings, what will be most appropriate to put up  in place?  2011 Kalachakra will be awesome and we look forward for this most exciting thing.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Agreed... to all you've said. This comment is now many months after you wrote this, and it turns out you were spot on with the ticket prices. I too look very much forward to this very precious and rare event. As far as accommodations for 11 days... hmmm. A small fortune I am guessing. But to me, this is a once in a lifetime event and I will go ALL out for it. I too hope that all is thought through carefully as many are putting a lot of their savings into attending this event just as I am.

Looking forward to this event - and happy to hear you have family coming from afar for the event. you must be extremely excited as well - how great!

PS: In case you're curious I ran across your article as I was looking into the history of the Kalachakra Initiations HH the 14th has performed. I read through and seeing that you wrote this many months ago was surprised of your knowledge of the event at the time! Also I agree with so much of what you have said especially after your information of the size of CATA. If it were still June, I would be a bit worried! With it now being January I am more comfortable and confident that they have thought through all of the logistics of such a huge and special event.

Take care!