Dalai Lama to attend Kalachakra ceremony in Bodh Gaya

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama will participate in the 'Kalachakra' (Wheel of Time) ceremony in Bodh Gaya in January next and pray for world peace, an aide said on Tuesday.

The Kalachakra ceremony would be held in Bodh Gaya January 3-13, an official of the Dalai Lama's office told IANS.

Organisers of the ceremony said the 'Kalachakra' is held for world peace and for the smooth flourishing of Tibetan Buddhism.

Since 1954, the Dalai Lama has given 33 Kalachakra initiations, including four times at Bodh Gaya (in 1974, 1985, 2003 and 2012).

The last Kalachakra was held also in Bodh Gaya in 2012 and drew over 200,000 devotees from across the world, including about 8,000-10,000 from Tibet, a statement said.

The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan administration-in-exile is based in this northern Indian hill town but recognised by any country. India is home to some 100,000 Tibetan exiles.

--IANS

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