News and Events

With the blessing of His Holiness, Sakya Trizin

After the political changes in Tibet, in the 1950s, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness Sakya Trizin and the leaders of other Tibetan Buddhist schools worked to establish Temples, monasteries, nunneries, and colleges out side of Tibet. Under their leadership, the Buddha’s doctrine began to flourish once again in India, and most of the Tibetan tradition was successfully re-established including the performance of the Monlam Festivals.

Venerable Dharthang Tulku, primarily of Nyingma tradition, also assisted this revival by his generosity sponsoring the prayer gathering of all four schools.

In re-establishing the prayer festivals, two important considerations were: which prayers should be recited and where to gather from year to year. The prayer to be recited at Sakya Monlam was determined by His Holiness Sakya Trizin along with other senior Sakya Lama and monks who choose 100,000 recitation of Samantabadhra prayer as the main recitation. Lumbini, Nepal, the site of the Buddha’s birth, was chosen for the first time being as the gathering place. At this sacred site, monks, nuns and lay people from all countries gather in a huge convocation. The arrangement for this great gathering is managed by the Monlam Committee.

The first Sakya Monlam outside Tibet took place in Lumbini from March 1-15. 1993.

Since then, Sakya Monlams were organized in rotation system under management of the four sub-traditions of Sakya: namely Sakya, Ngorpa, Tsarpa and Zongpa.

The 20th Sakya Monlam has begun only today (1st December 2011) at Lumbini. This time Tashi Rabten Ling Monastery of Tsarpa tradition is taking turn to organize the Monlam.

Yesterday, on 30th Nov 2011, the Lamas, Tulkus, Khenpos, monks, nuns and lay devotees gathered at Lumbini garden and welcomed His Holiness Sakya Trizin and entourage. His Eminence Asanga Rinpoche and the most venerable Tharig Tulku Rinpoche left earlier to attend Sakya Monlam. His Eminence Shabdrung Rinchen Paljor Rinpoche had been in Lumbini for past two weeks where he went to lead the Vajrayogini Grand Puja. Shabdrung Rinpche also attended a conference on Himalayan Buddhists in which the participants claimed the hands of stake holders in the development project of Lumbini.

Our monks (Tharig Gonpa) had left in group for Sakya Monlam on 28th night. This year’s Monlam will culminate with a Long life Empowerment by His Holiness Sakya Trizin to the public on 10th Dec 2011, at the special request of the organizing committee.

This year’s the Ten-day long Guru Drakpo Puja was kicked off on 22nd of eighth month in according to Tibetan lunar calendar which was 19th of October 2011. As usual, this grand Puja was held in Pharping Tharig Retreat. Tharig Tulku Rinpoche presided over the Puja which was led by senior Lama Jamyang Khedup in his capacity as Vajracharya (Dorje Loppon). As many as fifty senior monks from Tharig Monastery took part in the Puja. The first seven-days were the actual Guru Drakpo Puja which culminated on 29th of Tibetan lunar calendar. It is a long sustained practice that the last day of the puja ought to be held on 29th. The main highlight of that particular day is- to cast out figurine built in the beginning and propitiated throughout the seven-day Puja by the congregation. This act represents exorcizing of unseen or unseen obstacles created by evil spirits by knowingly or unknowingly.

This Guru Drakpo Puja lineage is a legacy passed down by one master to another master, from the time of first Tharig Rinpoche who was famed as Drupchen (highly accomplished Siddha). It is believed that the text and the religious substances that are associated with Guru Drakpo Puja were all revealed as Hidden Treasure by Tharig Drupchen. Therefore, this particular ritual is considered as a direct-entrusted treatise to Tharig Drupchen by Guru Padmasambhava who was believed to have appeared in human form.

Many sponsors who wanted to take part in this pious rite by making offering of Tea; Food and Money to Sangha had to wait in queue. They do this partly to get rid of obstacles, and partly to accumulate more merit so that all activities they engage will become a success. And the Seven-day Guru Drakpo Puja was followed by two-days Tsok offering and long life Puja to express gratitude, respectively to the sponsors and the divine beings led by Guru Padhma Sambhava. Then, finally, as usual Phagmo Nyingthig Puja was performed for the duration of three days. It is said that when Tharig Rinpoche was young, a then high Lama in Kham had prophesized that Tharig Rinpoche was destined to live only 62 years. However, with receiving empowerment and conducting retreat of Phagmo Nyingthig, he would live another twenty years. Thus, the high Lama’s prophesy had proved to be correct.

On 10th October 2011 Lamas, Tulkus, Khenpos, monks and lay devotees gathered together at premise of Tharig Monastery to celebrate the Birthday of the most Venerable Tharig Tulku Rinpoche. The day marked Tharig Tulku Rinpoche’s reaching of 13. In the early morning of 10th October, the Sangha of Tharig Monastery congregated in the main shrine to conduct Puja of Long Life Deity (Amitayush) and propitiatory Puja combining with smoke Puja and hoisting of good-luck streamers was also conducted.

The main official ceremony was held in the evening around 5pm onward. Some hundred over devotees gathered to take part in the ceremony. The main highlight of the ceremony was cake-cutting which was later distributed to all attendees to taste and enjoy. With offering Khatas and long-life-wishing Birthday-gifts, the devotees sought Rinpoche’s blessing. A light moment was also shared by the participants by engrossing in an entertaining-game of BINGO and by listening to a song dedicated to Rinpoche by Mr. Gopal, an ex-monk of Tharig Monastery. Dr. Khenpo Jorden, Director of IBA, khenpo Tashi Dorjee, Meme Surje la and representatives of the Monasteries graced the occasion.

His Holiness Sakya Trizin’s 67th Birthday Celebration

The long-awaited celebration of His Holiness Sakya Trizin’s 67th Birthday was organized by Nepal Sakya Buddhist Association on 28th September 2011. Tharlam Monastery’s compound was chosen as favorite venue fro the celebration. Their Eminences Asanga Rinpoche and Khondung Ananda Rinpoche Sakya respectively were the celebration’s the chief guest and the guest of Honour.

His Eminence Shabdrung Rinchen Paljor la gave his welcoming-speech from the chair of the president of Nepal Sakya Buddhist Association and Dr. Khenpo Jorden of IBA gave his introductory speech on His Holiness’s live and the holy activities.

Jetsunmas, Dagmo Chemi La of Phuntsok Phodrang, Mustang Rajkumar Jigme Gyaltsen La, the president of Nepal Buddhist Federation, Ven. Khenpo Ngawang Tsultrim la, president of Gonpa Administration and Buddha Dharma preservation, Dr. Nyima Dorjee La, Jetsunma Niru Rana, the representatives of Gonpas, Ex-members of Tibetan Parliament, Mdm Dolma Tsomo La, Ven. Jamyang Trinlay, and www conservation Program Director, WWF Nepal and advisor to Nepal Buddhist Federation, Dr. Ghana-sham Gurung, School Principals and the heads of local administrative body were among the distinguished guests.

To kick out the program, school children from Songtsen Higher Secondary School sang the song known as Truth-prevailing Prayer. Member of NSBA, Ven Jhampa Losal read out the message of His Holiness in Tibetan, English and Nepali languages.

Live-Releasing program and granting of scholarship of 25000 Rupees to Dolpo Lama Kunga’s school for underprivileged child, an aid-envelope of 25000 Rupees to old-folks home, and Blood Donation program, the free distribution of CD (the teaching of HH and Khenchen Appey Rinpoche) were the highlights of the celebration.

On the occasion, Nepal Sakya Buddhist Association with pride, conferred its Certificate of Honour to the Most Venerable Mahayogi Shridhar Rana Rinpoche for his unprecedented contribution to Buddha Dharma in general and Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism in particular. Ven. Jamyang Paljor, IBA student successfully run the program and the volunteers of Mustang people made the celebration more lively and memorable.

 

Tharig Rinpoche is now back from his two months trip to Tibet. He went there as the monks and laities of Tharig Monastery in Yushu Kham province requested repeatedly for him to visit the Monastery. His tutor, Lama Lodoe lak and Lama Dawa assisted him in the meaningful tour. They left Tharig Monastery in Nepal on 4th July and were back on 14th September. As proverb goes, “one picture speaks louder than thousand words”, some memorable picture taken during his visit are included here with well-describing captions. Let the photos speak louder and clearer!

The Yarney, (summer retreat) that we started on 15th of sixth month, in according to Tibetan Lunar calendar culminated on 30th of seventh month. Loppon Sonam led the Summer Retreat in his capacity as Sutra reader. Ven. Kunga Tashi and Norbu had performed commendable job in their capacity as Prefect (Choetrim). Some fifty monks took part in the Retreat of which 10 were Gelongs (fully ordained Bikchus). The second half of the Retreat saw the exclusive and comprehensive performance of the Grand Puja Sixteen Arhat. A huge spectacular Mandala was built which attracted hundreds of devotees. Indeed the artistic Mandala had become an eyebrow-raising sight to the fortunate devotees.

Following 45 days long a strict and rigorous practice, the retreat came to conclusion with a night-long exchange of individual views by the monk students on Yarney, in the night of the last day of 7th month of Tibetan lunar calendar. Dr. Khenpo Jorden, director of IBA chaired the sermon and gave his valuable tips on Yarney practice as well as how teachers and students can utilize their valuable time in better way. Khenpo Tashi Dorjee and Ven. Jhampa Losal also graced the sermon. Tharig Rinpoche’s heart- rendering speech on Yarney at the end was enjoyed by attendants in a pin drop silence.

As usual, the teachers of different subjects read out the result of annual exam of Tharig School and those stood first, second and third in the exam were awarded with token gift and Khata. This was given from the hands of Tharig Rinpoche. School’s administrator and Head Master Mr. Ngawang Losang took charge of the program and Ven. Tsering Tashi of Tharig School played the role of MC in a very successful way.

As it’s a scheduled program of monastery, the Sangha congregration of Tharig monastery started performing He-Vajra grand puja (Drup-chod) on 23rd to 29th June 2011

The grand puja was attended by over 50 senior monks and joined by young student monks that lasted for entire one week. Vajramaster Ven. Sonam and Ven Dhuesang jointly over seared the successful conduct of the puja.

The puja is divided in two persons:

One day of preparation puja and following six days actual puja. On the first day of the preparation puja expert monks spent a whole day in constructing Mandala out of coloured sand (Pulverized stone). Mandala represents celestial mansion of tutelary deities- here in this case, that of He-Vajra.

As per tradition, the attendees were rewarded with token monetary offering at the end of the puja. This was also done to enhance the accumulated merit to ensure the accomplishment of targeted objectives.

21st May 2011, corresponding to 19th of 3rd month of Tibetan Lunar calendar was Parinirvana Day of the sixth Tharig Rinpoche, Jamyang Dhamchoe Nyima . To mark the anniversary of the Parinirvana Day, the Sangha of Tharig Monastery performed a week-long Grand Puja of Vairocana. The Puja was performed under the regulation of Loppon Sonam lak, because the main leading master is required to have gone through a full retreat (meditational practice) of Vairocana Mandala. The Puja was attended by over 100 senior monks and the 7th Tharig Rinpoche, Jamyang Kunga Trinley Palbar presided over the Puja to bless the congregation.

On 18th April, Venerable Lama Kunga of Tharig Monastery kindly performed Dana (offering) of a whole set of clothing to the entire Sangha of the monastery. Ven. Lama Kunga was able to do this due to the kind and generous contribution made by Mr. Danny and the members of Sakya Tharig Tsechen Ling Dharma center situated in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia. There were as many as 140 senior and young monks when Ven. Lama Kunga did the Dana. The merit, in whatever amount, he had acquired from this virtuous deed is dedicated to lasting happiness and liberation of all mother sentient beings from the ravine of Samsara.