Activities at the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute
On 2nd April, 2014, the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute (NNI) reopened after the winter vacation. On the morning of that day, the Examination Controller of NNI conducted interviews with the newcomers from outside and those who had joined NNI from Namling Monastic Jr. High School. Written tests were conducted the next day.
The results of the annual examinations were announced on 7th April. On that momentous day, His Eminence Khentrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche awarded the mark-sheets to the graduates. Rinpoche also awarded the mark-sheets to the first and second position holders from each class along with gifts to them, as well as gifts to the students who had memorized more than 100 pages of text. Rinpoche and the faculty of Namdroling in attendance also graced the occasion by bestowing spiritual advice. The former Religion and Cultural Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration, Tsering Phuntso, also bestowed advice on the assemblage.
On 9th April, Khen Rinpoche Tshewang Sonam, the president of NNI, started giving teachings on Lorig (the typology of mind) to the NNI students. From 1 to 3 PM, lessons on debate were taught to the preliminary class by the senior students.
A three-day general puja for the welfare of the NNI family was successfully completed on 23rd April. From that day, Khenchen Pema Sherab bestowed the full ordination vows on more than 50 monks, and novice vows on more than 100 monks and nuns at the Vinaya Temple. The courses for the academic year started from 24th April.
The third day of the third lunart month is the annual day for appointing the staff of NNI. Accordingly, on the morning of 2nd May, the previous workers and staff were discharged and new ones appointed. That evening, spiritual advice was given by the outgoing president, Khen Rinpoche Tshewang Sonam, and the former faculty members of the institute. The next day, Khen Rinpoche Tandin Sithub, the appointed president, and the new faculty members of NNI bestowed spiritual advice on the monks of the institute.
Fourteen teachers from NNI are currently serving in the Dratsang, and 45 teachers are currently teaching the monks of the Monastic Jr. High School. Four khenpos and teachers instruct the students of the nunnery. In addition, 31 teachers have also been appointed from the monks of NNI to teach English, mathematics, rituals, etc., to the young monks of the Monastic Jr. High School. This year, more than 200 qualified khenpos and teachers were also sent to monasteries and dharma centres in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland and other parts of the world. Thirty-five khenpos and teachers are currently teaching the students of NNI.
On the 29th day of the fourth lunar month, 26th June, the parinirvana anniversary of Mipham Rinpoche, the great master of the Ngagyur Nyingma tradition, was organized. On that day, the mandala of Manjushrinamasamgiti was established and colossal feast offerings were arranged to mark the festive ceremony with the purest devotion and respect. Students carried out discourses and debate competitions.
Every year, the Universal Smoke Ritual Day is celebrated on the 15th day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. This year, it fell on 12th July. On that day, at Betapur, the annual Universal Smoke Ritual was performed for peace, happiness and prosperity in the world.
During the academic session, various rituals are performed once a month as the spiritual cause for the longevity of His Holiness the Fourth Penor Rinpoche, His Holiness Jadral Rinpoche and other living masters. Regular monthly debate competitions are also held between classes.
The annual 45-day Summer Retreat began on 11th August. More than a thousand monks carried out the retreat. During this period, seminars, expositions, debates and composition competitions were held for the improvement of the monks’ studies.
Moreover, Khen Rinpoche Tandin Sithub conducted a workshop on Tibetan grammar and also taught the Treasury of the Science of Valid Cognition by Sakya Pandita to the monks of NNI.
Self-study for the final exams began from 25th November. More than one thousand monks of NNI will sit for the annual exams which are scheduled to start from 18th December. The final exams will end by 3rd January, 2015. Soon afterwards the monks of NNI will travel to Bodhgaya for the 26th Annual Nyingma World Peace Ceremony, which is scheduled to be conducted from 21st to 30th January, 2015.
The Padma Mani Translation Group
Due to the noble aspiration of Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso, the Padma Mani Translation Group was officially started in 2013. Nearly forty enthusiastic monks and nuns are attending regular classes under the guidance of Khenpo Sonam Tsewang, the ex-editor of the Ngagyur Rigzod Editorial Committee. Venerable Konchog Norbu from America and other visiting teachers are also assisting them.
