From September 23 to September 28, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang bestowed His blessings and performed the traditional consecration ceremonies for the first traditional Drikung Monastery in the west, Drikung Kyobpa Choling Monastery.

The opening ceremonies began on the morning September 24, where His Holiness was greeted with katas, incense offerings and scared Dharma musical instruments offered by Drubpon Samten, Gen Norbu, Omzed Tenzin, Ani Dolma, Ani Chodron, students and friends from all over the US and other countries who had come for this auspicious event. There was a special ceremony with chanting aspiration prayers to officially open the new monastery doors by His Holiness. As soon as the doors were opened, two young girls offered the traditional katas with flowers on behalf of the dakinis welcoming His Holiness inside the temple. That was followed by a mandala and sweet rice offering along with the consecration ceremony. During the ceremony the Drikung Kyabgön Chetsang led everyone in a walking meditation through the gardens and retreat area, as he threw flowers and rice in all directions consecrating the land so that the teachings of the Buddha may flourish for all the traditions of Buddhism and so that students will increase their Bodhichitta and achieve the liberation of Buddhahood and benefit each and every sentient being.

During the teachings, the Chakrasamvara sand mandala was displayed for all who were present. In the afternoon the preparations for the Chakrasamvara Empowerment to be held in the evening session began. Drupon Samten gave the teachings on the outer, inner and secret Guru and in the evening session His Holiness bestowed the Chakrasamvara Empowerment.

On September 25, His Holiness bestowed the Vajrayogini Empowerment and the Great Drikung Phowa transmission. That evening, Ngakpa Wangdu gave very detailed teachings on the Vajrayana path. During the weekend retreat, two senior students, Dr. Michael Essex (Ngakpa Wangdu) and Dr. Lourdes Arguellos (Ngakma Dorje) were given special Dharma robes by His Holiness, authorizing them as teachers for Drikung Kyobpa Choling Monastery.

Early Sunday morning on September 26, the monks performed all the preparations for the healing ceremony and the traditional long life prayer for His Holiness. At 10am, this special Healing Ceremony included offering the ransom with the thread cross art. That was then followed by the Chakrasamvara Ceremony and then there was the monastic Long Life prayer ceremony for His Holiness, Mandala Offering, Tsok and Dakini Song offerings and conclusion prayers. After that the appreciation ceremony and speeches for all the patrons and benefactors followed.

In the afternoon of the same day the program concluded with the Sacred Tantric Lama Dances of Achare, Mahakala, Achi Chökyi Dolma, Tseringma and the Black Hat Dance. During the Lama Dance, His Holiness gave a detailed explanation of the history of the Lama Dance. It was an incredible experience at the Drikung Kyobpa Choling meditation gardens and great blessings to enable us to continue to carry on the annual tradition of the Tibetan Spring festival.

On October 1, Chetsang Rinpoche left for New Zealand.  He will be there for quite some time in order to build the Milarepa Retreat Centre and to continue with his research work in collaboration with the British Library on Tibetan Zen Texts.  He will also continue with his personal research work on the Hevajra Tantra and on other topics.