His Holiness Concludes French Visit with Blessings on Temple

Saturday, 23 August 2008
Tibet.net

Dharamshala: His Holiness the Dalai Lama successfully wrapped up a twelve-day visit to France on Friday by inaugurating a temple at Sogyal Rinpoche's Buddhist center in Lerab-Ling, in the southern town of Roqueredonde.

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama (L) and France's first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy attend the inauguration of the Buddhist Lerab Ling temple in Roqueredonde, southern France, August 22, 2008. (REUTERS/Philippe Laurenson)

France's Foreign Minister, Bernhard Kouchner, first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, French human rights minister, Rama Yade, were also at the consecration ceremony, which was attended by about 2,000 people.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama led a procession of monks in orange and red, chanting and playing long trumpets, around the temple, accompanied by Mrs Bruni-Sarkozy.

His Holiness presented the pair with long white scarves, a Tibetan gesture of hospitality and respect, which they wore as they watched their host prostrate himself before a statue of the Buddha.

The red and gold Lerab Ling is one of the biggest Tibetan Buddhist temples in the West. It houses a 23-foot (7 metre) high golden statue of the Buddha and many holy relics and scriptures. Another golden Buddha sits in the middle of a lake just outside.

Hundreds of students of Buddhism braved heavy rain to visit the site, which was decorated with multi-coloured Tibetan prayer flags. They sheltered under orange umbrellas on the grass.

In his address, His Holiness called for harmony between different religious traditions and for respect for the environment.

The Dalai Lama (3rdR) poses with Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (R), Rama Yade (L) and Bernard Kouchner during the inauguration ceremony of the Buddhist Lerab Ling temple in Roqueredonde, southern France, August 22, 2008

"We have the responsibility to take care of this planet," His Holiness said. "We must extend love to all creatures, trees and beautiful things."

Ms. Sarkozy and Mr. Kouchner talked privately with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and his interpreter later briefed reporters on some of his comments, The New York Times reported.

The only way China can "regain its respectability in the international community" is to "march towards democracy," His Holiness the Dalai Lama said, according to Ricard, who attended the meeting.

His Holiness said that China had increased repression of Tibetans during the Olympic Games in Beijing, and he urged China to "march toward democracy."

Kouchner, who made no public comment except to say His Holiness the Dalai Lama was "always welcome in France."

His Holiness the Dalai Lama's French visit was devoted to religious engagements including a six-day teaching series and consecration of Buddhist temples.

His Holiness will return to Dharamshala on Sunday.