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NORTHAMPTON – In the context of Tibetan prayer flags, 70-year-old Rinzin Wangyal bows deeply in front of a white Katak prayer scarf standing on the sidewalk in front of him, offering thanks for the 83rd anniversary of Dalai Lama. Then, as Geshe Ngwang Singey, director of the Nyingpo Ling Jampel Center for Tibetan Buddhist Studies in Amherst, led a song prayer, Wangyal laid her scarf on an altar dominated by a large portrait of Tibetan spirituality. leader
Wangyal, who moved to Amherst last year from Tibet, practiced his Sunday faith with about 45 other immigrants from the Tibetan community in the region. The service, organized in collaboration with Cathedral at Night, an outdoor Christian community, featured traditional Tibetan music, prayers, reflection, and a free hot meal of salty chicken curry, steamed vegetables, fried noodles , bok choy cabbages, and rice
"We, Tibetan refugees, have received so much support.Now, it's our responsibility to help other less fortunate ones," said Thondup Tsering, who helped to organize the annual event that took place in 2015.
Through kindness, Tsering said that the community "wants to elevate his Holiness into one"
Three years ago, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, asked his followers to celebrate his 80th birthday on July 6th, showing kindness to others.
In response to this call, the Tibetan community collaborated with the Buddhist Studies Center and Cathedral in the Ni ght, a Christian outdoor worship service that meets every Sunday in downtown to accommodate a special interdenominational service, Tsering explained. Cathedral at Night was founded in 2011 as a way to reach people who might not enter a church building, and badociate with churches and local businesses to serve a meal free later
the Tibetan community, "said Stephanie Smith, director of the religious community of Northampton. "Both traditions come from a place of love."
More than a mere opportunity to celebrate the Dalai Lama's birthday, Nancy Braxton of Williamsburg, a member of the Buddhist community of Amherst, said that a chance for residents of Northampton to meet the Tibetan community of the region. Tsering notes that those in the Pioneer Valley have been warmly welcoming Tibetan refugees for decades and that more than 100 people are coming to Sunday's event.
Braxton, 77, met the Dalai Lama in person in the 1960s in India while helping Tibetan refugees fleeing persecution After China's takeover of China by communist China in 1951, Tibetans were forced to leaving their country, 80,000 of them having followed the Dalai Lama in India. According to the Tibetan Central Administration, there are now more than 150,000 Tibetan refugees in the world.
Braxton fondly remembered his interactions with the Dalai Lama.
"I fell in love with the Dalai Lama and his culture.I was impressed that he was approachable, and humane, and kind," said Braxton.
Not far in the churchyard, Jhamba Sherpa, 58, from Easthampton, a Tibetan refugee who immigrated from India 25 years ago. He often thinks of the Dalai Lama's teachings while taking care of patients as a nurse at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
"He is everything to us. He is the spiritual leader, like the pope, "said Sherpa." As a nurse, whenever I face a difficult patient, I think of the Dalai Lama's advice to be patient and kind. "
Sherpa helped a group of 10 children, dressed in colorful Tibetan clothing, sing a musical tribute to the Dalai Lama Sherpa meets the children every other Sunday to teach them the Tibetan language, meditations, steps Traditional dance and singing, to keep his living culture in exile.Speaking of his own experiences as an immigrant, Sherpa says that it is important to remember the teachings of the Dalai Lama, especially in the social and political climates of today
"People are so ready to fight, argue and kill." "It's very important, what His Holiness teaches – be kind to each other – and to spread it in our community. "[19659002AfterSundayservicethepeopleoftheTibetancommunityservedalonglineofpeopleAmongthosewhoateinasmallsquareinfrontofthechurchAngelPaganofNorthamptonpointedoutthatthefoodwas"deliciousandhealthy"
The Dalai Lama's birthday party comes a few days after the visit of Interior Minister Sonam Topgyal of the Tibetan Central Administration, the Tibetan government in exile in India, said Tsering. Topgyal came to the United States earlier this month to meet with Tibetan refugees. On Thursday, Topgyal staged a public event at the Jones Library in Amherst, during which he called for unity, Tsering said.
Looking to the future, Tsering wished the health, success and love of the Dalai Lama.
"Let his dream of returning to a free Tibet come true soon," said Tsering
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