The annual Shambala Ecumenical Prayer Festival for World Peace was established by Hung Kar Dorje Rinpoche in 2004. Every year, renowned Lamas from all the dharma traditions of Tibet, along with thousands of others, are invited to participate in this five-day event dedicated to the welfare of all living creatures in Tibet and on the planet. The Festival has been attended by visitors from all over China, the U.S., Vietnam, France, Australia, Japan and many other countries.
One of the important functions of the Prayer Festival, along with other, periodic gatherings during the year, is to bring together thousands or tens of thousands of people from all walks of life and all over the Golog region. Everyone participates. After the prayers are concluded, the gathering effectively becomes a town hall meeting, where Hung Kar Dorje and others can address and educate the people as a group on important matters.
After the 2008 Festival, for example, those gathered learned in great detail about the Vocational High School soon to open, and how to apply to and register for the school. They learned, too, about the importance of environmental conservation and hygiene. And they learned, as well, about how to cultivate compassion towards all living creatures, and the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.
In this way, the annual prayer festival becomes a hub, a meeting place and a forum for education and the implementation of the charitable programs and activities of the Qinghai Geysar Foundation of Golog.
If there is one symbol that unifies all Tibetans it is Gesar of Ling. Gesar’s battles against enemies of Tibet and Mongolia have become synonymous with the defending and spreading of the Dharma itself. He is a protector of Tibet’s Buddhist culture and is a well-know symbol of victory over ignorance through wisdom. The Blue Valley Foundation is dedicated to preserving the collected art, history and traditional stories of Gesar of Ling.