A Buddhist leader visited India for weeklong rituals and teachings.

His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, Trinley Thaye Dorje, spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu lineage, presided over a weeklong programme that drew devotees from across the country.

He led the White Tara and Amitayus Puja, prayers believed to bring long life, good health, and spiritual clarity in Kalimpong, West Bengal on April 25.

Disciples offered a Tenshug ceremony to wish for the Karmapa's continued life and leadership.

Graduating monks were conferred the Acharya degree on April 26 in a formal ceremony at the Diwakar Buddhist Academy, where the events were held.

On April 27, the Karmapa bestowed the Long Life Empowerment—also known as the Sacred Wang—a spiritual blessing for attendees.

The Diwakar Buddhist Academy was established under the Karmapa's guidance to preserve the Buddha's teachings through study and meditation.

Organisers said that the visit as a rare opportunity to receive teachings and blessings from one of Tibetan Buddhism's most respected masters.

Recognised by the 14th Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, Trinley Thaye Dorje was formally enthroned in 1994 at the Karmapa International Buddhist Institute in New Delhi. He is regarded as the embodiment of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and leads nearly 900 monasteries across 68 countries.

Buddhism is a spiritual tradition that originated in ancient India around 2,500 years ago. It was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, meaning 'the awakened one.'