Over the two days of Empowerment given by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for the Thousand Hands Thousand Eyed Avalokiteshvara (Chenresig) Initiation and the Simhanada Avalokiteshvara Initiation which took place between 29-30 May 2020, a staggering number of about 4.5 million people from all over the world attended. It demonstrates that whilst the digital age allows people to do negative things with greater ease, it is equally a tool to spread good messages and deliver blessings to one and all. The empowerment brought benefit to people all around the world through instantaneous translation of His Holiness’ teachings into so many different languages.
Some people query whether an empowerment through digital means, can be effective, but interestingly, the idea of giving of vows or empowerment is actually not new to Buddhism.
In the days of Lord Shakyamuni Buddha, there was a princess who wished to be ordained but was not allowed to meet Lord Shakyamuni Buddha in person. The wise and compassionate Lord Buddha wrote a letter to the princess, conveying the vows of the Sangha and through that, the princess became so ordained and successfully obtained the vows of a nun. Therefore, any empowerment over the internet is equally efficacious.
The key to remember in any empowerment is not physical proximity to the Guru, or physical proximity to the vase, water blessings etc. Instead, it is through a sincere heart 💓, development of bodhicitta, and listening intently to the teachings on wisdom and emptiness, and seeking to understand them – that is most important in order to receive the empowerment.
The internet has been a wonderful tool to allow so many to purify their negative karma and to receive blessings, and I rejoice in this wonderful phenomena. May all join me to express our gratitude to His Holiness who took the time off his busy schedule to confer this initiation and empowerment. I hope that moving forward, His Holiness can continue to bless all of us from the comfort and safety of his home, and may anyone and everyone reap the benefits of His Holiness’ compassion and wisdom.
🙏 Geshe Lama Konchok
