–dalailama.com

Karsha Phodrang, Zanskar, Ladakh: Today, the early morning sun shone down the valley of the Zanskar river. His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s throne had been set up on the veranda of the Karsha Phodrang facing Karsha Monastery. Of the estimated 21,000 people who had gathered to listen to his teaching, monastics sat in the temple behind him and laypeople sat under umbrellas on the ground in front of him. Several groups of schoolchildren, monks and nuns were engaged in debate when His Holiness arrived. He surveyed the crowd, smiled and waved to them, then took his seat.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama looking out at some of the estimated 21,000 people who had gathered to listen to his teaching at the Karsha Phodrang in Zanskar, Ladakh, India on 25 July 2025. Photo by Tenzin Choejor.

The ‘Heart Sutra’ was recited in Tibetan, followed by the verse of salutation from the ‘Ornament for Clear Realization’. Then a mandala symbolizing the entire universe was offered, after which this verse was chanted:

May the sound of the great dharma drum

Dispel the misery of sentient beings....