On August 3, 2011, the 4th day of the 6th Tibetan month, the auspicious day of the Buddha's first turning of the Wheel of Dharma at Sarnath the newly built great Bodhi Stupa at Tserkarmo Monastery in Ladakh will be inaugurated. This day is also the birthday of our precious root-guru H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, Konchog Tenzin Kunsang Thrinle Lhundrup, and it will be in the presence of His Holiness that the Bodhi Stupa will be consecrated.

We welcome all our generous supporters, friends and anyone who is interested to be part of this wonderful ceremonial event. We will be more than happy to arrange for your accommodation according to your needs and assist you in any way possible during your stay at Tserkarmo Monastery. Please let us know in advance if you wish to participate. Below you may find the details of the weeklong ceremonies and teachings at Tserkarmo Monastery and especially the inauguration program for the Stupa.

To commemorate the great kindness of His Holiness we are going to publish a book of poems, praising the activities of body, speech and mind of Kyabgon Chetsang. Anyone wishing to contribute to this, please send your poem before May 15 to the editorial team of Kagyu College or to this email address: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

From the Office of
Drikung Kagyu Tingang Tserkarmo Monastery
Leh Ladakh, India

Anyone who can read Tibetan is kindly invited to download this attached announcement about the book of poems and the program for the inauguration day.

Teachings at the Inauguration of The Great Bodhi Stupa in Tingmosgang, Ladakh
Drikung Kagyu Tserkarmo Monastery Tingmosgang Village, Ladakh

Schedule of events:

Monday, 25 July 2011 to 1 August 2011
Sri Chakrasamvara retreat (Drubchen) with Sandmandala and fire puja. Reading of the whole Buddhist canon for the steadfastness of the Buddhadharma and world peace.

Monday, 01 August 2011
Arrival of H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang in Tingmosgang with ceremonial reception (from Phyang)

Tuesday, 02 August 2011
Formal consecration ceremony of the new temple according to the great Sri Chakrasamvara Sadhana, presided over by the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang.

Wednesday, 3 August 2011 (Great Wheel of Dharma Day)
Formal inauguration of the Great Bodhi Stupa

Morning Program

09:00 Seating of Honorable Guests
09:10 Arrival of H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, the Chief Guest
09:20 Actual Opening Ceremony of the Bodhi Stupa
09:25 Reading Messages and Speeches
10:30 Speeches by Distinguished Guests
11:15 Book Release by His Holiness
11:00 Presentation of Gifts to Concerned People by His Holiness
11:30 Speech by His Holiness
12:00 Cultural Performances
12:45 Speech of Thanks
01:00 Lunch Break

Afternoon Program

2:30 Seating of Guests and Participants
2:40 Arrival of H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang
2:50 Introduction to the Great Deeds of His Holiness
3:10 Birthday wishes to His Holiness by International Disciples
3:30 Presentation of Songs and Dances Performances
5:00 Expression of Thanks and Concluding Remarks

Thursday, 04 August 2011

AM: Teachings on the Four Dharmas of Gampopa by H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang
PM: Presentations of cultural songs and dances from different parts of Ladakh

Friday, 05 August 2011
AM: Teaching and empowerment of the Five-fold Path of Mahamudra by H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang
PM: Teachings on the practice of the Great Drikung Phowa by H.E. Togden Rinpoche

Saturday, 6 August 2011
AM: Long-Life Sadhana practice by the ordained Sangha, followed by the great Drikung Phowa transmission by H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang
PM: Long-Life initiation by H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, followed by offerings and prayers for the long life of His Holiness and general public audience with him.

Special Note: August 6 will be the first memorial day of the flash floods in Ladakh of 2010, which brought heart rending death and destruction. In memory of this catastrophe, His Holiness will preside over a hundred thousand Ganachakra and lamp offerings, followed by aspiration and dedication prayers for those who lost their precious lives, their homes and their livelihoods in this horrific disaster.

Sunday, 7 August 2011
AM: Guru Yoga Ganachakra offering led by H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang, followed by a talk by His Holiness for foreign disciples entitled “A Meaningful Life”
PM: Picnic lunch for foreign disciples with H.H. the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang