From 22nd to 27th March 2022, the Tantrayana conference and examination were held at the monastery’s prayer hall temple. Monks who have graduated or obtained Geshe title from the monastery are required to pursue a three-year mandatory Tantrayana course from the monastery, upon completion of this three-year course, the Ngarampa title is honored to the Geshe. The conference and the examination were conducted in the presence and supervision of His Eminence Khen Rinpoche Geshe Jigme Gyatso, learned scholars/teachers of the monastic institution.
Amidst Pandemic and War, our official Mandala group to Russia returns back to the monastery safely. The group headed by Venerable Geshe Lharampa Jamyang Dhondup (@Tulku Khajog Rinpoche) visited Russia as per the invitation extended by our Drepung Gomang Center Cultural Foundation, Moscow, Russia. Drepung Gomang Monastery and all its monks sincerely convey thank you and the deepest gratitude to Natasha la and members, volunteers of DGCCF, Moscow for the continuous support to the initiative of the monastery. Our deepest thank you to Telo Tulku Rinpoche, abbots, and monks/members of monasteries in St. Petersburg, Kalmykia, Tuva, and all other regions that the group visited. Our thank you also to the monks and Amche Dr. Penpa Tsering la for their hard work and for the success in this trip.
Chötrul Düchen, also known as Chonga Choepa or the Butter Lamp Festival was observed on 18th March, (the 15th day of Tibetan First month), is one of the four Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha, according to Tibetan traditions. Chötrul Düchen closely follows Losar, the Tibetan New Year. It takes place on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Tibetan calendar during the full moon (Bumgyur Dawa). The first fifteen days of the year celebrate the fifteen days during which the Buddha displayed miracles for his disciples so as to increase their devotion. During Chötrul Düchen ("Great Day of Miraculous Manifestations"), it is believed that the effects of both positive and negative actions are multiplied ten million times.
On the 16th day of the first month of the Tibetan Calendar, throwing the ritual cake (Torkyas) into the fire was observed at Drepung Monastery, the religious rituals were attended by the His Eminence the abbots of two monastery, discipline heads, chant masters and ritual presided by Ven. Othok Tulku Rinpoche, with a large gathering of the public in general, ritual is directed against all obstacles, negative spirits, harmful forces that would taint the coming year and for success, peace, and harmony in this world.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic that affected the worldwide, monk students from Mongolia were called back to their country. Now after two years, the monk students from Mongolia returned back to Drepung Gomang Monastery to continue pursuing their Buddhist Philosophical studies. Drepung Gomang Monastery and Mongolia has ancient dharma ties that is still being followed these days.
On the sixth day of Tibetan New Year, the Member of Parliament from Ladakh constituency Shri Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and Gen Kunchok Tsephel, the nominated sangha councilor of LAHDC, Leh Visited Drepung Gomang Monastery, interacted with Monastic heads and the students from Ladakh and discussed on various issues pertaining to the students of Himalayan Region as well as the Monastic Institution.
The Annual Seminar on Five Major Treatises of Buddhist Philosophical studies was conducted here in February 2022 under the supervision of His Eminence Khen Rinpoche, H.E. Khensur Rinpoche and the Monastery's exam committee, with great participation by learned scholars/teachers/Geshes of the monastery as well as the monk students.
Sharing sad news with all, His Eminence Khensur Geshe Lobsang Samten passed away on the evening of 10th January at his residence here. Late H.E. Khensur Rinpoche was 93 years old, and the 78th Abbot Emeritus of Drepung Gomang Monastery served as the abbot from 2003 to 2009. Drepung Gomang Monastery offers its deepest condolence to all his disciples/students and followers.
Monlam prayer offering was offered today at Monastery’s prayer hall temple for his swift reborn for the Buddha dharma to flourish and benefit countless sentient beings.
May he continue to inspire countless devoted disciples that they may completely accomplish their practice. May he be reborn swiftly for Buddha dharma may flourish and he may continue to benefit countless beings.