A highly revered abbot in Japan has stated that the Dalai Lama’s visit is an auspicous sign and that his teachings on compassion and warmheartedness should be spread all over Japan.

By Tsering Tsomo for Phayul
MIYAJIMA, Japan, - A highly revered abbot in Japan said Wednesday that the Dalai Lama’s visit and ensuing teachings at Daishoin Temple is an auspicious sign.

“I consider it an auspicious sign and a very sacred moment for our temple to have His Holiness the Dalai Lama teach us on Buddhism and grant empowerment,” Rev. Masahiro Yoshida, the abbot of Daishoin Temple said in an interview with exile Tibetan media.

Rev. Yoshida said it was auspicious because the Dalai Lama could lead religious programs at Daishoin during this year’s 1200th founding anniversary of the sacred Mt. Misen. As a holy mountain site, it was first opened in the 7th century by Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Mahayana Buddhism. Kobo Daishi or Khorpa Tharchin in Tibetan underwent ascetic practice for 100 days on the mountain. Daishoin Temple is located on Mt. Misen in the middle of Miyajima Island.

He said the Dalai Lama’s teachings on compassion and warmheartedness should be spread all over Japan. “There are so many things that the Japanese Buddhists learnt from His Holiness and we should put them into practice.”

He expressed his amazement at the attention and tolerance displayed by the devotees during the teachings even when the temperatures hit the lowest. “It was freezing cold today but all of them were so focused on His Holiness’ teachings. It was simply amazing and it also encouraged me to listen attentively,” he said.

Daishoin Temple is the biggest supporter of Manjushri Mahayana Buddhist Association (MMBA), an organization that works for the exchange of Tibetan and Japanese Mahayana Buddhist traditions. The temple also supports MMBA’s work in India to help exile Tibetan monks.

Mr. Shojiro Nomura, director of MMBA and also a special researcher of Japan Society for Promotion of Science said the Dalai Lama’s visit is the beginning of a long and continuous exchange between Tibetan and Japanese Buddhism.

“The Tibetan people has a priceless wealth in Tibetan Buddhism. They, especially the youngsters, must know this before it gets lost in exile”, Mr. Nomura said. He said Tibet is known all over the world because of its religion and its leader, the Dalai Lama.