Enthronement Ceremony at Namdroling Monastery
The ceremony at Namdroling Monastery—the seat of the Third Penor Rinpoche—celebrating the official enthronement of Penor Rinpoche’s Yangsi at Palyul Monastery in Tibet, began with a three-day puja from 28th to 30th July, 2014. The puja, which included making offerings to the Dharmapalas and chanting the long life prayer for Yangsi Rinpoche, was performed by the full assembly of monks and nuns from Namdroling.
On 31st July, the actual enthronement day of Yangsi Rinpoche, in the early morning, the monks and nuns performed the Tashi Pai Sojong (Auspicious Ritual for Nurturing Virtues and Purifying Misdeeds). From 9 AM on, more than 150 special guests were received for the historic day.
Then, a large holy portrait of Yangsi Rinpoche was carried in a ceremonial procession to the Golden Temple. There it was honored with prayers of auspiciousness, the prayer of venerating the Elders and long life prayers. The General Secretary of Namdroling Monastery read out the programme, followed by an explanation of Mandala offering by Khen Rinpoche Tandin Sithub, the president of NNI. This was followed by the offering of the auspicious substances of body, speech and mind before the holy portrait of Yangsi Rinpoche. After that, the guests, monks, nuns and laypeople offered ceremonial scarves to the holy portrait of Yangsi Rinpoche. Afterwards, a bountiful lunch was served to the guests and the public.
A three-day grand celebration and feast began the following day. The event was marked with colourful entertainment from 2 to 5 PM and again from 7 to 10 PM. A variety of cultural shows from different countries like Tibet, Bhutan and Nepal were performed during this celebration, a source of great pleasure and enjoyment for everyone.
Yangsi Rinpoche Enthronement Ceremony in Tibet
In December, 2013, H.H. Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the 12th Throneholder of the Palyul lineage, officially announced the schedule for the enthronement of Yangsi Rinpoche, the ‘precious reincarnation’ of H.H. Penor Rinpoche. Accordingly, the enthronement ceremony took place in Tibet on 31st July, 2014. It was organized by Palyul Jangchub Choeling Monastery and Namdroling Monastery.
On 28th July, Yangsi Rinpoche was invited to Palyul Monastery with a grand ceremonial reception. More than 40,000 people participated in the ceremony including many great lamas and heads of monasteries from Tibet and India. On 31st July, the actual enthronement started about 9:30 AM in the Palyul mother monastery. His Eminence Tulku Thubzang Rinpoche, Palyul’s most senior and accomplished master, conferred the enthronement empowerments through His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, to enable Yangsi Rinpoche to regain all his wisdom and realization. The local Chinese officials also honoured the enthronement of Yangsi Rinpoche by praising the special qualities of the previous Penor Rinpoche and also offering a recognition letter to Yangsi Rinpoche. About 10 AM, the heads of Palyul Monastery—His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche and Tulku Thubzang Rinpoche—joined by Darthang Chogtrul Rinpoche, Namdroling’s head lamas Khentrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche and Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche, and the three senior Khenchens as well as other khenpos and tulkus of Namdroling, offered the mandala of the body, speech and mind to Yangsi Rinpoche. Then, many other great lamas including Kyabje Dudjom Rinpoche Yangsi, Darthang Lhatrul Rinpoche, Tulku Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche from Yachen monastery, Khen Rinpoche from Serta monastery and many more monks and laypeople continued making mandala offerings for two days. On 2ndAugust, further celebration of the enthronement took place with Tibetan cultural dance, folk dance, Tibetan opera, songs and many other entertainments.
Yangsi Rinpoche Enthronement Schedule:
Monday 28th July
– Yangsi Rinpoche arrived at Palyul Monastery
Tuesday 29th July
– Long life Buddha puja and tsok offering
Wednesday 30th July
– Dharma discourse and debate by Shedra students
Thursday 31st July
– Main Event: Enthronement ceremony
Friday 1st August
– Enthronement ceremony (continued)
Saturday 2nd August
– Entertainment with traditional dances by local people
