His Holiness has commented on the Kalachakra, saying, “A large
number of people will come together for a few days to
concentrate. Because of this, I think some positive
vibrations, perhaps at an invisible level, can happen...the
participants, for some short moments, can experience some
tranquility, some peace and satisfaction.”
What a fortunate confluence of circumstances that the
time, one of turmoil and common confusion; the place, the capital
of the free world; and the teacher, who embodies wisdom, compassion
and skillful methods, are coming together to produce an event that
can only benefit this country and have a positive effect which
ripples throughout the entire world
During the first seven days of the Kalachakra, from July 6
through 12, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with the monks of
Namgyal Monastery and senior lamas, will conduct rituals which
prepare and consecrate the venue. These include chanting of
prayers, creation of the sand mandala and other ancient
rituals.
His Holiness will give teachings to present the foundations of
Buddhist thought on July 9, 10 and 11. His Holiness the Dalai Lama
explained the importance of these preliminaries during the
Kalachakra offered in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1999:
The Kalachakra Ritual Dance on July 12, opens the next
phase of the event, with the three days of the actual Empowerment
extending from July 13 through July 15.
On the final day, July 16, the Kalachakra for World Peace 2011
will close with a ceremony offering prayers for the long life of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama; a long-life blessing for all
those in attendance; and the dissolution of the sand mandala.
"I would like to congratulate those who are attending here only
for the preliminary teachings and not the Kalachakra. Because in
actual fact the topics I am covering in the preliminary teachings
are the more important elements of the practice. So I would like to
express my appreciation for those who are just attending the
preliminary teachings.
…When I announce a Kalachakra Empowerment, because Kalachakra is
so popular, it attracts people; but what I really intend is to
spend time during the preliminary teachings and speak more about
the general aspects of the path of the Dharma…. But if people
simply come for the empowerment with no real grounding in the
preliminary practices… then simply attending the Kalachakra
ceremony alone? I do not know what benefit that can have."