On 6th July, His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 87th birthday was celebrated here at the monastery with early morning prayer sessions with deepest prayers for the long healthy life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and for all His wishes to be fulfilled. The day started with a procession welcoming His Holiness's Holy picture to the holy throne of His Holiness, followed by prayers, and cake distribution to all the monks.
This year, monks under the aegis of the monastery's administration office, a special program for tree sapling plantations was organized. Monks of all ages participated despite the rain on that special day. For more picture of that special day, please visit our facebook.
This event is held only at Drepung Gomang monastery and it is a popular saying that when gomang's thuk choera starts, then it usually rains or starts of monsoon. Thuk Choera is an interclass debate congregation where different monastic class debates against each other in the debate courtyard. Monk students in order to prepare or sharpen their debate or to make it difficult for the opponent class, go far away from the monastery compound in the fields with great secrecy to prepare the debate. This event is held once every year for several days (Thuk chen) mostly starts on the 20th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar. Last year, due to Covid restrictions, the monastery was not able to conduct proper Thuk Choera.
𝐒𝐀𝐆𝐀 𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐀 𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐍,𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 (𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫) that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and Parinirvana of our perfect and most supreme teacher, Buddha Shakyamuni was observed here today. In other Buddhist traditions, this occasion is known as Buddha Purnima, Vesak, or Buddha Day, based on a different lunar calendar. The prayer session was conducted at the prayer hall temple and attended by His Eminence Khen Rinpoche and all the monks of the monastery.
Also on this special occasion, we pray for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama all the holy Gurus of all traditions, for the survival and spreading of Buddha’s teachings in the minds of all sentient beings, and for world peace.
On 9th June 2022, Sikyong Penpa Tsering visited Drepung Gomang Monastery, Mundgod as part of the final leg of his visit to five Southern Tibetan Settlement in India. He was received by the monastery's abbot H.E. Khen Rinpoche, Discipline Head, Chant Master, and the administration officials at the Prayer hall temple, escorted to the Prayer hall temple where he paid obeisance to the holy throne, idols, and stupas. A thangka was presented to the special honored guest by His Eminence Khen Rinpoche on behalf of Drepung Gomang Monastery and all its monks.
On 9th June 2022, Sikyong Penpa Tsering visited Drepung Gomang School. He was received by the School Principal and the board of directors. Kungo Sikyong visited classrooms where special summer classes for lay students were going on. School Principal Geshe Gelek presented a brief report on the school. A thangka was presented by His Eminence Khen Rinpoche to Sikyong Penpa Tsering on behalf of Drepung Gomang School and the management.
From 15th May 2022, Drepung Gomang School starts one month Summer class for the lay students of the settlement. Every year, Drepung Gomang School (Dre-Gomang Cultural association) organize free Summer classes during School Summer Holiday for the lay student of the settlement where they are taught Tibetan grammar, literature, history, calligraphy, and Buddhist Philosophy besides basic Buddhist religious studies.