T h e   T i b e t   H o u s e

MESSAGE

We are delighted to have been able to put together an International Festival of Buddhist Music and Ritual from October 8-10, 2006 to commemorate the 2,550th year of the Mahaparinirvana of Sakyamuni Buddha. This festival is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the India Habitat Centre.

On this auspicious occasion, we remember the historic event of the installation and presentation of the Buddha Statue to the government and people of India by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1993, as a symbol of gratitude for their sustained effort in promoting the cause of world peace and understanding. This statue, installed at the Buddha Jayanti Park in New Delhi, stands as a constant reminder of the Path to Universal Peace and Enduring Happiness taught by Sakyamuni Buddha.

From India where Buddhism was born, the Dharma traveled from land to land, language to language, and several developments in the form of art and culture took place during its long history of 2,550 years. With the International Festival of Buddhist Music and Ritual, we present some of these rich artistic accomplishments from the Buddhist cultures of Sri Lanka, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Nepal, Mongolia, Vietnam, and Tibet.

Tibet House is grateful to the Government of India for their collaboration on this grand event. We are indebted to the India Habitat Centre, the National Museum and Elinore Detiger from Scotland for their generous support. We also thank all the monasteries, establishments and individuals for their contribution in the preparations that involved numerous co-ordination and work details. Our gratitude also goes to all the participants from different countries that have taken a keen interest in the festival. We would like to record our deep gratitude for the presence and discourse of His International Festival of Buddhist Music and Ritual.