Activities at the Namdroling Dratsang
This year, 433 newcomers—373 monks and 60 nuns—joined Namdroling Monastery. Throughout 2014, they joined the larger monastic body in performing all the annual rituals established at the monastery by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche.
On 16th February, the 18th day of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar, the monks conducted the ritual of Karling Zhithro (Karma Lingpa’s Ritual of the Peaceful and Wrathful Deities) and Yangsang Ladrub (Innermost Profound Guru sadhana) and made extensive offerings to commemorate the mahaparinirvana anniversary of the Omniscient Longchen Rabjam. The monks of the Institute also gave a religious discourse and engaged in debate. From 23rd February, for five days, the Gutor ritual (in which a ritual cake are thrown on the 29th day of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar to ward off evil and obstacles) was commenced with the rites performed of Kagyed (Eight Heruka sadhana), Sengdong (ritual of the Lion-faced Dakini), Ratphur (Kilaya of Ratna Lingpa) and Gurdrag (ritual of Wrathful Padmasambhava). The five different mask dances of the Gutor along with the ritual of throwing tormas (ritual cakes) were carried out on 27th February. Ratna Lingpa’s ritual of procuring long life was conducted on 28th February, the 13th day of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar.
On 9th March, the annual week-long accomplishment practice of Ratling Tsedrub Sangwa Duepa (terma revealed by Ratna Lingpa) commenced. On 11th March, the ritual dance of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche was performed and Guru Rinpoche’s painting was also raised from the seven-storey building of Namdroling. The final day, 16th March, was full of activities. Five different great dances were performed and the giant 180-foot painting of Buddha Amitayus was hoisted. In the afternoon, the empowerment of the accomplishment practice was bestowed on the monks and all the other devotees who had gathered.
As initiated by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, the annual month-long retreat began from the 18th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, 19th March. His Eminence Gyangkhang Rinpoche, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso and Khenchen Pema Sherab bestowed the teachings of Namchö Ngondro, Tsalung and Dzogchen respectively to over four hundred devoted practitioners.
On 9th May, the 10th day of the third month of the lunar calendar, the annual Preliminary Practice session was begun. More than a hundred monks and lay people undertook the six-month practice. The practice was done according to the Namchö Cycle (revealed as sky treasure by Terton Migyur Dorje, and taught to him by Avalokiteshvara himself). Venerable Tulku Chodar looked after the practice by bestowing the oral transmissions. The practice ended on 13th November, coinciding with the day of Lord Buddha’s Descent from Heaven.
The Kama Drubchod, the Great Accomplishment Ceremony of the Kama Teaching, began on 2nd June. On that day, the Tsa Cham (Root Dance) was performed. The actual accomplishment ceremony took place from 7th to 13th June. The Kama Drubchod was conducted on the basis of seven different Mandalas: the Mandala of the Sutra Practice of the Great Gathering, the Peaceful and Wrathful Magical Net, the Union of the Buddhas, the Yangdag Heruka, Rongzom’s tradition of Vajrakilaya and the Six-faced Yamantaka. The Mandala of the Sutra Practice of Great Gathering was established in the main temple and the rest in the other temples. On the morning of 8th June, the great painting of Lord Buddha was displayed. During this ceremony different ritual dances were performed. These were the Garcham on the 11th, and Rolcham (dance with cymbals) and Throcham (the wrathful dance) on 12th June.
The last day involved a fire ritual that was especially significant because of the many substances offered by the local people. The empowerment of the accomplishment practice was granted to all devotees in the afternoon, and in the late evening inspirational prayers such as the Butter Lamp Prayer, dedications and extensive prayers of auspiciousness were chanted with munificent offerings of butter lamps, flowers, spiritual songs and the music of ritual instruments. Likewise, the Mahakala sadhana was conducted from 7th June by many hundreds of lamas, tulkus and monks in the Zangdog Palri Temple. The ritual ended successfully with the three ferocious activities of subduing, scorching and casting out the enemy of dharma.
On 10th June, at 7 PM, chaired by the president of Namdroling Monastery, His Eminence Khentrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche, in the presence of the monks and nuns, the annual accounts of the Dratsang, Monastic School, Institute and Nunnery were read out by their respective treasurers. His Eminence praised all the staff for their great service and achievements and bestowed precious advice for the welfare of the present and future lives.
Regular rituals of Rigzin Duepa and Yumka were performed on the auspicious 10th and 25th days of every Tibetan month. For peace and prosperity in the world, and particularly for the spread of Buddhadharma and the longevity of living Dharma masters, the ritual of Ratling Phurpa is performed daily at Namdroling, according to the noble wishes of the late His Holiness Penor Rinpoche.
During the auspicious period of the Summer Retreat, around 600 monks of the Dratsang and Monastic School, from class four and above, performed the puja of Nyingthig Solkha and Namchö Solkha, from 12th August to 24th September, 2014. Likewise, for a period of one month, the rituals of Karling Zhithro, Thugchen Sangdue, Ratling Tsechog and Ratling Phurpa were performed. Finally, the 43-day rituals were completed successfully with feast offerings on 24th September. In January, 2015, the monks and nuns of Namdroling will attend the 26th Annual Nyingma Monlam Chenmo—the Nyingma World Peace Ceremony—in Bodhgaya, India.
