Despite an early warning by the Chinese government not to participate in the 34th "Kalachakra" initiation, which is currently ongoing in Bodh Gaya, India, the Tibetan Buddhist community has remained undeterred in the participation of the event in either India or China.

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The Times of India reported that at least 2,000 Buddhist from China had been able to attend the initiation, which was led by the exiled Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama. This was despite an earlier ban from the Chinese government imposed to its citizens from attending the event.

An estimated 7,000 Chinese citizens had been able to grace the event, but they had traveled from other states such as Malaysia and Singapore and not China.

The Chinese government had earlier barred all transportation to India following the Kalachakra Initiation, which began on Jan. 2 and is expected to end on Jan. 14. The government had barred all activities associated with the event as well.

China defended that through time, the initiation had lost its true meaning and was slowly turning into a political rally under the leadership of the Dalai Lama.

Following the ban, a great number of people had been forced to stay back in China. However, residents at Sichuan County have still carried on with the initiation by streaming the Dalai Lama teachings online as they gathered to pray, according to UNPO

"Tibetans living near Gyarong Trochu Thukje Chenpo have been participating in large scale meritorious activities during the teachings," a local source said. "They have also shared videos of the Lama's teaching online and translated them to local dialect for people to understand."

The Dalai Lama on Wednesday said a prayer for those who had been unable to attend. He also applauded the move by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for imposing a ban on the sale of alcohol.

"Prohibition of Bihar is a good step. Let us remember that Lord Buddha said consumption of even a drop of alcohol was a sin," said the Buddhist leader.

Tagschina, India, Kalachakra, Dalai Lama