Dalai Lama to join Tibetan exiles around the world in a 12-hour prayer service and a symbolic fast to fight against oppression in the world, especially in Tibet, a statement from the Tibetan government-in-exile said.
"It will be one of the most important nonviolent campaigns by the Tibetan Solidarity Committee to get support from the world community for world peace and fight against oppression in the world in general and particularly in Tibet," a statement issued Friday said.
Samdhong Rinpoche, prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile and a high-ranking lama, called the Aug. 30 event an "extremely important nonviolent action taken by Tibetans under the leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in a very critical period for Tibet, particularly the post-Olympic period."
"Duration of Fasting and Prayer Service:
a) On the auspicious day of 30th August 2008 and the last day of 6th Month in Tibetan Calendar, the Fasting and Prayer Service shall be observed in one's respective area from 7 a.m. till 7 p.m. for 12 hours.
b) In specific area of special cases, if the above timing is
inconvenient they can modify the timeline, suppose, from 0800 hrs to 2000 hrs but the idea is to observe 12 hours long fast and prayer on that day.
c) Those who are old and infirm, patients and children who cannot participate in a 12-hour fast can join in for 10 minutes or half an hour or up to one hour, according to their disposition.
3. Observing Fast:
During the period of observing fast, one is allowed to drink hot or cold water (plain water). But drinking tea, milk, fruit juice and other energy drinks should be barred as well as eating, chewing and munching any eatables. However, daily medical prescriptions are exception; one can take them as in their daily routine.
4. Program of the Prayer Service:
a) In the monastic assemblies of four great traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, and Bon, as well as in other smaller monasteries and nunneries, apart from performing one's own traditional pujas and activities unique to them, all should recite as many as possible the Prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Guru Prayers, Dhen-pai Nga-dra, Dhen-stik Mon-lam (Prayer of Truth), Prayer of 21 Taras, Six-syllable Mani mantra and invocation prayers of deities Palden Lhamo and Nechung.
Aims of this Fasting and Prayer Service:
a) To purify negative actions of all beings, particularly of Tibetan and Chinese people, and, to accumulate and multiply our collective good karma. As a result, this will:
b) Bring long, healthy life to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and help his activities to prosper and benefit all sentient beings.
c) Ease all the conflicts, diseases, sufferings, and natural calamities in the world, so that all beings shall live in peace and harmony.
d) Cleanse the negative actions of all those Tibetans who have died fighting for their political cause in the aftermath of March protest in Tibet this year and help them reborn in higher realm and eventually get freed from vicious Samsaric cycle. And, instantaneously relieve those Tibetan who are still enduring
atrocities under the brutal Chinese oppression from their sufferings, and for the truth of Tibetan issue to prevail soon.
e) Finally get all those people in the world in general and Tibetans in particular, who have been victims of forced oppression and violence and deprived of their religious freedom and freedom of conscience and expression, be freed and enjoy state of well-being and freedom. And, dismantle all the hatred in the hearts of oppressors and guide them with discerning wisdom,
f) Earnestly remind and appeal to all the human beings to effectively counter the acts of oppression, violence and injustice with non-violent and peaceful means, borne out of compassion and loving kindness to our oppressor.
