The Great Winter Teachings Successfully Completed

winttDear Dharma friends,
From November 15 to 19, His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche led the White Tara Drubchen above the main temple of His Holiness’ residence and there were some senior monks, a Tulku, some Khenpos and some Drubpöns who took part in it. Every day they performed four sessions of the White Tara Drubchen.

wt_02His Eminence Tritsab Rinpoche and Yeshe Jamyang, one of the most learned senior monks, led the Hevajra Drubchen. There were a few Rinpoches, Khenpos, Lamas, around fifty monks and some foreign lay practitioners who also took part in it.

On November 19, the teaching programs ended.  After the teachings, the Drikung Kagyu Winter Teaching Committee made a Mandala Offering to His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche. wt_01Thereafter, all the Sangha members performed the long life prayers for His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche. The venue was full of flowers.

After the long life prayers, all the Sangha members had an opportunity to see the sand Mandala and each of them offered a kathaks and made aspiration prayers in front of the Mandala. In the afternoon the sand mandala was dismantled and with a big reception it was taken to the Sahastradhara River. All the monks who took part in the Hevajra Drubchen went to the riverside where they performed a water offering puja and poured the sand from the mandala into the river.

wt_06The Achi Puja was led by His Eminence Bhumang Rinpoche and was terminated on November 20. A Tulku, some Khenpos, Kyorpons and many senior monks took part in it.

The 20th of November, was a very special Vajradakini day and we performed long life prayers for His Holiness. The long life prayers began at 6:00am and His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche led the Puja. Around 8:30am, His Holiness the Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang came to Jangchubling Monastery and all the Sangha members made a big reception for him according to the traditional way. Venerable Khenpo Gelek and his Dharma group from Mainland China also made a big reception for His Holiness, reciting the prayers of Lama Khyeno with a melody.

wt_07After His Holiness was seated on the throne, all the ritual prayers were performed gradually and tea and sweet rice were offered. His Holiness Taklung Shabdrung Rinpoche and Garchen Rinpoche made a long life Mandala Offering to His Holiness. Thereafter, H.E. Tristab Rinpoche, H.E. Ontul Rinpoche, the teaching committee, Tulkus, His Holiness’ family members, all the delegations from the various monasteries and centers made a Mandala Offering to His Holiness.

wt_04

Afterwards, His Holiness gave a very remarkable speech, which was translated into English. The Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang expressed his extreme gratitude that His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche came to Jangchubling Monastery to lead the Winter Teaching programs. His Holiness also said that Garchen Rinpoche is one of the most important Masters in our lineage and he requested that each of us pray for Garchen Rinpoche’s long life and His Holiness himself will do the same. He also thanked everybody who came here to make the long life offering to himself and also gave thanks to everybody who had been doing many prayers for his own health. His Holiness felt sorry that he would not be able to join the pilgrimage but he would do prayers for their safe journey. At the end, His Holiness sent messages to everyone that there is no need to worry about his health and in a few days time he will be going on retreat for a while. wt_03On this precious day, we did a thousand Tsok offering and released a thousand live fishes into the Ganga river for the benefit of His Holiness’ long life. The Pilgrimage to holy places started around 11:00 am with around hundred people who left on two buses to Delhi.

Last but not least, we would like to thank all the participants and donors for the Winter Teachings in general and particularly His Eminence Garchen Rinpoche who led all the programs and fulfilled everyone’s wishes.

With lots of prayers,
Drikung Kagyu Winter Teaching Committee
 
Joomla 1.5 Templates by JoomlaShine.com