Old Flames Never Die – A Pledge to my Valentine
My consciousness got exposed to the Spirits of some young Tibetan soldiers whose untimely deaths I had witnessed. I dedicate this blog post to those Living Tibetan Spirits that continue to live in my consciousness.
Who is my Valentine?
The word Valentine as a noun describes a Sweetheart chosen on St. Valentine’s Day (February 14). A note or greeting card sent to Sweetheart on this Day containing a message of sentimental love is also described as a Valentine. This year’s Valentine’s Day is of special significance to the Tibetan people as they ushered the New Year of Iron Tiger Year 2137 of their Lunar Calendar. On this Valentine’s Day, I want to assure my Valentine that the burning passion aroused in me is alive and has not died.
After attending Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India, I joined the Indian Army on July 26, 1970. On July 26, 1971, I completed my military and professional training at Military Hospital, Ambala Cantonment, Haryana and was fully ready to serve the nation in my role as a Medical Officer of the Indian Army Medical Corps. I left Ambala on September 21, 1971 on my first posting. On September 22, 1971 after reaching my new Duty Station I met my Flame. The Flame kindled a fire in my heart. That fire still burns.
As the saying goes, “Old Flames Never Die”. The Flame lives in my Consciousness. On this Valentine’s Day, I pledge that I will keep the Flame alive in my future. The message that I want to send to my Valentine is ; “My past, my present, and my future is a continuum.” I share the pain and grief that my Valentine has experienced in the past and is experiencing now. We both understand the Challenge, share a common hope and expectation of a better future. The Spirit of my Valentine languishes in Darkness. The darkness of military occupation has enveloped my Flame threatening her very existence. She needs a breath of fresh air to survive. I promise that I am the Breath of my Valentine’s life.
The Butter Lamps lit in my Unit’s Gonpa (Gompa) are still glowing. I seek the Compassion of Buddha to keep the Flames Alive.
Buddham Saranam Gacchami,
Dhammam Saranam Gachhami,
Sangham Saranam Gachhami.
I seek the Path of Triple Refuge to keep the Old Flames Alive. I seek the Refuge of Buddha. I seek the Refuge of ‘Dharma’. I seek the Refuge of ‘Sangha’.
Tibetan New Year -Losar – Iron Tiger Year 2137:
Tibetans celebrate their New Year in the traditions of their Lunar Calendar. The Valentine’s Day this year has coincided with their New Year – LOSAR celebration. In due recognition of the pain, suffering, and misery that is experienced by Tibetans inside Tibet, and to honor the memory of Tibetans who lost their lives during 2008 protests, the Tibetan Community has refused to celebrate LOSAR during 2009. I send my greetings of “TASHI DELEK” to all of my associates and people who defend Tibetan Identity.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama Attends Religious Ceremonies on Tibetan New Year
Dharamsala, HP, India, 14 February 2010 (tibet.net) – His Holiness the Dalai Lama presided over religious ceremonies at the main Buddhist temple in Dharamsala this morning, marking Losar or the “Year 2137 of the Iron-Tiger” of Tibetan calender.
Later, His Holiness the Dalai Lama delivered a brief address to thousands of Tibetans gathered for the ceremony.
His Holiness offered greetings to Tibetans living inside and outside Tibet and people of the Himalayan region who share same culture and religion as Tibetans. His Holiness extended his good wishes and gratitude to the international community for taking interest in and supporting the just cause of Tibetans.
“Despite facing great problems in Tibet for many years, the Tibetan people living inside have shown indomitable courage and sincerity in standing up to the situation,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
His Holiness said “Tibetans in living in many parts of Tibet are marking the year as a year of remembrance of Tibetan people’s suffering,” adding that “they refrain from festivities during the Losar.” With such sentiments of our brethren in Tibet, His Holiness advised Tibetans to offer prayers by engaging in religious ceremonies and eschew festive celebrations.”
His Holiness “reminds Tibetans living in the free world, not to forget the critical situation in Tibet”. “The Tibetans in exile must keep up their sincerity and courage like their brethren in Tibet,” His Holiness added.
Speaking of education, His Holiness “urged Tibetans, Mongolians and the people of Himalayan region to put more efforts in education, and to excel in the study of Tibetan Buddhism”. His Holiness “underlined the study of Tibet’s unique secular education, particularly the philosophy of religion”.
The day began at 7:00 am with an early morning ceremony of offering prayers and ceremonial cake(Tse-Tor) to goddess Palden Lhamo, the supreme hierarchy of Dharma protectors. The abbot of Namgyal Monastery offered Mendel Tensum, auspicious offerings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The officials of the Central Tibetan Administration, including the chief justice commissioner, justice commissioners, speaker and members of Tibetan Parliament, Kalon Tripa Prof Samdhong Rinpoche and members of the Kashag, were present.
This is was followed by another prayer service in the main shrine hall, during which the abbot of Namgyal Monastery, the chief justice commissioner, speaker of the Tibetan Parliament and Kalon Tripa, presented auspicious offerings to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. A group of monks participated in a religious debate.
Whole Dude - Whole Spirituality 