Consecration of the New Stupa at Tserkarmo Monastery

tserkhamo1His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang paid a visit to Ladakh, especially to inaugurate the new great bodhi stupa at Drikung Kagyu Tserkarmo Monastery in Tingmosgang.


On July 27, the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang arrived at the Airport of Leh, Ladakh, where he was received as state guest by the government of Jammu and Kashmir. Headed by H.E. Togden Rinpoche, many Rinpoches, and Khenpos from various monasteries, executive members of the Ladakh Hill Council, many delegates, as well as hundreds of local devotes came for the reception, at which folk dances were performed. Immediately upon his arrival at Phyang Monastery, monks and local people made a mandala offering and offered welcome tea and sweet rice for all in attendance. From July 27 to 29, His Holiness took part in the annual festival of Phyang Monastery.


stupaAbout 200 vehicles decorated with the flags of Drikung Kagyu lined up on August 1 to escort His Holiness to Tserkarmo Monastery. On the way, villages had prepared a welcome tea and refreshments for the Drikung Kyabgon and his entourage and His Holiness gave the Mani Transmission and advice to the people.
Around lunch time, the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang arrived at the Village of Tingmosgang. At Tserkarmo Monastery, there was a big reception and Rinpoches and Khenpos of the monastery made a mandala offering as a sign of welcome and gratitude for His Holiness’ kindness to accept the invitation for the ceremonies and consecration of the stupa.
On the following day, the consecration of the newly built Great Bodhi stupa started with the pujas of Chakrasamvara, followed by the dissolution of the sand mandala, Naga pujas, and fire pujas.


tingmo_crowdIn the morning of August 3, the formal inauguration ceremony of the stupa began with a welcome speech from Khenpo Rangdol, an introductory speech by Khenpo Tenphel, a message by H.E. Garchen Rinpoche, read by Drubpon Sangye from Estonia, and speeches by many local guests of honor. Holiness offered scarfs and statues for all the supporters of the stupa. The Drikung Kyabgon and the executive member Sri Sonam Dorji opened up the book of Dharma Ambrosia, the book of daily prayers, the book of Phowa, and the Way to Enter the Path to Buddhism by Dakpo Chenga, and distributed the Thangka of the Thirty-five Buddhas and Calendar, two audio CD songs in praise of both the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and the Drikung Kyabgon Chungtsang, the Dalai Lama, and other great Rinpoches of other lineages. Thereafter His Holiness gave a concluding speech for the almost ten thousand people in attendance, which was translated into English and Ladhaki. About 200 foreigners had also come to participate at the ceremony. Subsequently traditional Achi and Atsara dances were performed.


birthdaycakeAfter Lunch, the birthday of His Holiness was celebrated, while a magnificent rainbow was seen in the sky. H.E. Togden Rinpoche gave a speech in relation to His Holiness biography and Khenpo Rangdol read out a birthday message from H.H. the Gyalwang Drukpa. Thereafter the foreigners also sang a birthday song in different languages. The Drikung Kyabgon cut the birthday cake and shared it with all the people. The birthday celebrations ended with Rinpoches, Khenpos, delegates, and guests offering scarfs to His Holiness, followed by various traditional cultural performances.


On the ensuing day, His Holiness gave teachings on the four Dharmas of Gampopa and on August 5 he gave teachings and bestowed the empowerment of the Fivefold Path of Mahamudra, followed by teachings on Phowa in the afternoon by Togden Rinpoche.


Long life prayers for the His Holiness by all the monks and nuns started at 4 am on August 6 in the presence of Togden Rinpoche. After breakfast they performed the Guru Yoga Puja and made a tsok offering. The Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang performed Jangchog Pujas for the people who had died during the recent floods, and also the puja for the 49th day of His Holiness’ father who passed away recently.

Thereafter His Holiness gave the transmission of the Great Drikung Phowa and after Lunch the Long Life empowerment. More than fifteen thousand people came to receive the transmission and teachings of Phowa. All the teachings were translated into English, German and Ladhaki.

On the Medicine Buddha Day on August 7, the Drikung Kyabgon lead the Guru Yoga Puja only for foreigners and gave a talk on the meaning of life. Afterward His Holiness had a farewell lunch with the foreigners in the garden. Thereafter, the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang returned back to Phyang Monastery. During all the five days rainbows appeared around the sun and the stupa in many different forms.

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