Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa along with Gegen la Lama Lode visited Bangalore after a period of nearly 18 years at the request of Dr. Geetha Narayanan Founder Director of Srishti Institute of Art Design and Technology and his disciple Dipnkar Khanna. The tour began on the 21st July.

*** *** ***

On the morning of the 22nd, July Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa accompanied by Gegen la Lama Lode lit the ceremonial lamp along with the Founder Director Dr. Geetha Narayanan and other members of the Board of Governors of Srishti. He then cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Srishti Collective an exhibition of the projects showcased by the final year students at Srishti. Here he interacted with all the students as they explained their ideas and how they had gone about executing their projects.

*** *** ***

On the afternoon of the July 22nd Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa visited the N% campus at Srishti when he met the Dean and Heads of the Centres and Labs and exchanged valuable ideas on innovation in creating new technologies that benefit users in sustainable and ecological ways. He cautioned on the trap of leaning towards lazy technologies and instead seeking new thought, ideas and unusual ways of applying innovation and creativity. This was followed by lunch with other VIPs after which there was a walk through the Open House showcasing the various Centres, Labs and which are engaged in Collaborations and Research within Srishti. Guru Vajradhara spent time to understand the exhibits at each Centre of the Open House exchanging ideas and thoughts with their Heads.

*** *** ***

In the evening of the 22nd of July, Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa accompanied by Gegen la Lama Lode was invited by Dr. Dorjee Rabten, the Chief Medical Officer of the Men Tse Khang in Bangalore. Here he received a traditional welcome by the staff of the Men Tse Khang. At the request by Dr. Dorjee Rabten Guru Vajradhara spoke on practicing mindfulness and meditation in daily life. It was an interactive session mainly comprising around 75 Indians and Tibetans comprising of long-term patients and supporters of Tibetan Medicine in Bangalore.

*** *** ***

Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa accompanied by Gegen la Lama Lode at the request of Dr. Geetha Narayanan addressed the Governing Council and the Academic Council on July 23rd on the spiritual aspects of Leadership and Governance. He advised them on how to face the challenges that they would encounter in Srishti’s development as a premier Design Institute and in its growth trajectory. He stressed on the need to work with a pure motivation and prime aspiration to help others.

*** *** ***

Guru Vajradhara accompanied by his entourage of monks visited Drishya and special school for the financially challenged urban children run by the Ujwal Trust and Srishti. Here Guru Vjaradhara interacted with the children and the staff and at the request of the children offered prayers for their well-being.

*** *** ***

On 23rd of July, Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa along with Gegen la Lama Lode and monks from Palpung-Sherabling were invited at the Tibetan Youth Hostel in Koramangala. Hundreds of Tibetans lined up in joyous devotion to receive Guru Vajradhara. After a brief welcome and tea ceremony Guru Vajradhara spoke to the large gathering on the importance of Buddhist Philosophy in modern day times. He also reminded his gathered country men, women and the Tibetan youth to take pride in the fact that Tibetans are led by the unparalleled leader His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama who is Bodhisattva Avalokiteshwara.

*** *** ***

On the evening of the 23rd of July Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa along with Gegen la Lama Lode and monks from Palpung-Sherabling were also invited for a formal dinner at the residence of Mr. Pradeep Kar the Chairman of Srishti’s Governing body. Here he had important conversations on development, active peace, ecology, sustainability and education.

*** *** ***

On the morning of the 24th July A group of over 50 Tibetan devotees comprising of men, women and children from Kollegal starting at 3:00am to seek blessings from Guru Vajradhara The 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa. They met Guru Vajradhara in his Malleswaram Guesthouse to seek his blessings.

*** *** ***

To enthusiastic applauding and standing ovation Guru Vajradhara the 12th Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa delivered at convocation address at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall in Bangalore on 24th July shortly after 4:00PM. He congratulated the graduating students and urged them to work towards protecting the environment that has been adversely affected by some of the actions of previous generations. It was a high-energy speech that appealed to the young graduating students to use the 'awesomeness and coolness' to work towards generating meaningfulness ideas and methods to improve the lives of people in the world.

Photos