The Celebration of the Rebirth of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche
With immeasurable happiness and joy on hearing about the rebirth of the genuine reincarnation of our guru, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, the family of Namdroling Monastery assembled in the Monastic Jr. High School grounds, where prayers of auspiciousness and prayers of long life were chanted in front of the holy portrait of His Holiness the Third Penor Rinpoche and Yangsi Rinpoche respectively. Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso presided over this most happy occasion.
Then, in accordance with the tradition of having a picnic during the time of our guru, the standing committees of NNI, the Dratsang, the Monastic School and the Nunnery decided on having a day-long picnic. On this most happy day, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso, one of the vice presidents of Namdroling Monastery, made the announcement regarding the recognition of the reincarnation of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche by His Holiness Jadral Rinpoche.
Coinciding with the Tibetan New Year, on the morning of 2nd March, 2014, at 4.30 AM, all the khenpos, tulkus, lamas, monks and nuns gathered in the Padmasambhava Buddhist Vihara (the Golden Temple), where prayers of auspiciousness and the ritual for venerating theElders were chanted, followed by the reception of the holy portrait of His Holiness the Third Penor Rinpoche and the Fourth Penor Rinpoche brought in procession from His Holiness’ residence. At 7 AM, mandala offerings were followed by the offering of ceremonial scarves by the whole assembly before the holy portrait of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche Yangsi, which was placed on the indestructible golden throne. From 9.30 to 11.30 AM, a variety of sports competitions were conducted on the grounds in front of the seven-storey dormitory. From 7 PM, the celebrations entered the main phase with loud fireworks.
On the second day of the Tibetan New Year, a variety of sports competitions were again held on the grounds of the seven-storey dormitory. On that day, from 7 to 9 PM, a variety of cultural shows were performed by different groups from the nearby Tibetan Settlement. On the third day of the Tibetan New Year, from 7 to 9 PM, students from the local Tibetan School and Tibetan singers performed various cultural programmes. On the fourth day of the Tibetan New Year, invitees from different organizations were received, followed by the performance of the Lingdro Dechen Rolmo (spiritual dance of King Gesar), by residents of the Fourth Camp. From 7 to 9 PM, Tibetan singers again performed cultural programmes. On the fifth day of the Tibetan New Year, the monks of the Monastic School performed a variety of sports competitions on the grounds of the seven-storey dormitory. These colourful events marked the successful end of the celebrations of the recognition of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche Yangsi coinciding with the Tibetan New Year.
Longevity Ritual for His Holiness Jadral Rinpoche
On 15th March, 2014, for the longevity of His Holiness Jadral Rinpoche, the spiritual head of the Ngagyur Nyingma tradition, and also as gratitude for the recognition of our guru, His Holiness Penor Rinpoche Yangsi, the full assembly of Namdroling Monastery performed the Khandro Sundok with the Tsedrub Sangwa Duepa, the puja for procuring long life. On that day, presided over by His Eminence Khentrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche, the auspicious substances of longevity were offered to His Holiness Jadral Rinpoche. The assembly also refrained from eating meat for the whole day and they recited the mantra of Buddha Amitayus. A list of the monks, nuns and laypeople who promised to refrain from eating meat for life was also submitted to His Holiness. In this way, the mandala offering ended successfully.
The Inauguration of the Buddhist Research Centre
As per the wishes of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness the Third Penor Rinpoche, a meeting on the establishment of a Research Centre took place on 24th and 25th May, 2013. The meeting was attended by associate scholars of NNI such as Prof. Dorji Wangchuk of Hamburg University, Dr. Karma Phuntsho of Oxford University, former Religion and Cultural Minister for the Central Tibetan Administration, Tsering Phuntso, Khen Rinpoche Tsering Dorje and Khen Rinpoche Tshewang Sonam. The decision to open a Research Centre to provide an opportunity to carry out research in Buddhist philosophy in general, and especially on the Ngagyur Nyingma, was made at this historic meeting. Rules and regulations were also framed for the same. The appointments of the members of the standing committee of the Research Centre are as follows:
President
Khen Rinpoche Tsering Dorje
Vice President
Khen Rinpoche Tshewang Sonam
Treasurer
Khenpo Yama Chimed
Secretary
Khenpo Sonam Tsewang
Other important decisions were also made concerning the Research Centre. The main responsibility for research-related projects will be jointly held by the Research Centre’s standing committee and the standing committee of NNI. An announcement on gathering new research students will be made on the fourth day of the sixth lunar month, which coincides with the first Turning of the Dharma Wheel by Buddha Shakyamuni. All research applications, along with the necessary documents, must be submitted before the 22nd of the ninth lunar month. The applications will be thoroughly examined by the instructor and the Research Centre committee, and the applicants will be informed on the status of their selection before 20th October. The selected scholars must then undertake a three-year research project. An announcement of the admission of new students will be made every two years.
According to the abovementioned procedures, the Research Centre made its first announcement on gathering new research students on the fourth day of the sixth lunar month, 2013. The applicants were thoroughly examined by the instructor and the Research Centre, and were informed on whether or not they got selected before 20th October, 2013. Six were selected from many applicants.
The Actual Inauguration of the Research Centre
On 20th March, 2014, the faculty members of Namdroling Monastery, the standing committee of the Research Centre, instructors, khenpos, lopons and an assembly of monks and nuns received distinguished guests like Sri Rama Lingu, the Education Director of Periyapatna; the heads of various organizations from the Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement; as well as principals from many schools, and carried out an inauguration celebration of the new Research Centre.
Seminar on the Unique View and Tenets of the Ngagyur Nyingma Tradition
Following the directions of Khenchen Pema Sherab, the standing committee of the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute decided to organize a two-day Seminar on the Unique View and Tenets of the Ngagyur Nyingma Tradition. Consequently, it was carried out on 8th and 9th August, 2014. Before the seminar, the assistant lecturers from the eighth and ninth years were organized into four groups and each group was given a special topic on which to write a thesis.
The first day of the seminar was chaired by Khen Rinpoche Tandin Sithub, the president of NNI. The theses, based on selected topics from a Great Perfection text and Mipham Rinpoche’s Ngeshe Droenmey (Beacon of Certainty) were discussed thoroughly.
The second day of the seminar was chaired by Khenpo Yama Chimed, the former vice president of NNI. The theses based on selected topics from General Meaning on Guhyagarbha and Introduction to the Middle Way, both by Mipham Rinpoche, were discussed thoroughly. The two-day seminar succeeded in its objective to create awareness about the unique view and tenets of the Ngagyur Nyingma tradition.
