His Holiness the Dalai Lama consecrating the ‘NamgyalChorten’ built in commemoration of the Tibetan leader’s 50 years in exile at Takamatsu on November 2, 2009. His Holiness paid homage to the Japanese scholar Kobo Daishi.  Photos by Tenzin Choejor

Takamatsu, November 2: “I travel the world at the invitation of  people like  you, to share my  experiences in life. I am 74. I have seen  happiness and  pain,” said His Holiness the Dalai Lama at Takamatsu, the most populous city in Japan’s Shikoku Island, today.
 
His Holiness the Dalai Lama was speaking to the media at the ancient Hagyuji Temple, dedicated to Kobo Daishi, a learned scholar and the founder of esoteric Buddhism.
 
On his maiden visit to the port city, His Holiness conveyed his greetings to the local people through the media and expressed happiness at the opportunity to interact with his ‘Buddhist brothers.’ “Coming here to pay respect to the scholar and first propagator of Buddhism in Japan, Kobo Daishi, I am very happy and feel fortunate,” His Holiness remarked.

In response to a question from the media on any communiqués from the Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, His Holiness said that he received the Prime Minister’s ‘greetings’ through a group of Japanese lawmakers yesterday. “I think he is an active, young politician,” added His Holiness.
 

(Left to Right) Ven. Saitou Yugen, His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Ven. Matsunaga Yukie share  a light moment at Hagyuji Temple on November 2, 2009.

Hatoyama in 2007, as secretary general of the Democratic Party of  Japan had met His Holiness the Dalai Lama and expressed support for “genuine autonomy” for Tibet.
 
Arriving at the temple in the afternoon, His Holiness greeted by  loud cheers of ‘Tashi Delek’ from the waiting crowd. Before  entering the main hall, His Holiness unveiled and consecrated the new stupa, Namgyal Chorten, built in commemoration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's fifty years of exile and to remember the Tibetan people and their ongoing struggle.
 
The head of Japan Buddhist Federation Ven. Matsunaga Yukei and abbot of Hagyuji Temple, Ven. Saitou Yugen, expressed their gratitude to His Holiness for accepting the invitation and shared their hopes of future visits from the Tibetan leader.
 
Earlier in the morning, His Holiness, arriving at Takamatsu Airport from Tokyo visited Zentsu-ji Temple, the birthplace of Kobo Daishi and offered prayers.
 
His Holiness the Dalai Lama is scheduled to give a public talk in Matsuyama city, the capital of Ehime province, tomorrow.