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Namdroling Monastery 60 Year Anniversary
Thegchog Namdrol Shedrub Dhargyeling, widely known as Namdroling Monastery, was founded in Bylakuppe, South India, by the Third Supreme Head of the Nyingma tradition, His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche in 1963. It was followed by the establishing of the Tsogyal Shedrub Dargyeling Nunnery in 1993.
The celebration of the Diamond Jubilee 60 year Anniversary of Namdroling Monastery and the 30 year Anniversary of Tsogyal Shedrub Dargyeling Nunnery, commenced on the 21st of April 2023, Tibetan Royal Year 2150, by the arrival, at Namdroling Monastery from Tibet, of His Holiness Kyabje Karma Kuchen Rinpoche Thupten Tsultrim Norbu Oser Kunkhyab Palzangpo, the supreme head of the Palyul Lineage.
The chiefs of Namdroling Monastery, Chogtrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche and Chogtrul Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche, Khenchen Namdrol Tsering Rinpoche, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso Rinpoche and all the khenpos, tulkus, lamas, lopons, monks and nuns of the monastery extended a grand welcome to His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche by offering the body, speech and mind representation mandala in the Golden Temple. His Holiness Karma Kuchen Rinpoche then proceeded to offer a white sandalwood Dharma Wheel before the portraits of His Holiness the late Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche and his reincarnation, Yangsi Rinpoche as a token of gratitude to mark the 60th anniversary since the establishment of Namdroling Monastery.
Also on display before the portraits are the relic of His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche and the marvelous white conch on which the sacred mantra of Manjushri 'Om Aa Ra Pa Tsa Na Dhi', was written by His Holiness using only his tongue. The mantra then miraculously embossed itself on the white conch as if it has been engraved by tool.
On the next day, 22nd of April 2023, the entire congregation of monks and nuns carried out a grand prayer ceremony with feast offering after opening the sacred mandala of Longchen Nyinthik Rigzin Dupa. It was followed by a grand enthronement ceremony of 210 khenpos (the eighth batch), 73 khenmos (the first batch) and 12 dorje lopons. This is the first time in the history of Namdroling in which a group of nuns are conferred the title, ‘Khenmo’ - the recognition of being a female professor of Buddhist studies.
On the 23rd April 2023, HH Kyabje Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, Chogtrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche, Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche, and the Khenchens were given a ceremonial welcome by the nuns of Tsogyal Shedrupling Nunnery to inaugurate the new Temple, the new office building and the new library. After the inauguration, two new books, a magazine and a souvenir were launched followed by the consecration of the new temple with ablution. Rinpoche then visited the Nunnery Retreat Centre and gave heart advice to the retreatants before consecrated the thangka paintings and kila dagger box in the Vajrakilaya Temple.
On the 25th of April 2023, an official ceremony for invited VIP was held at the monastery’s main square. Dignitaries who attended on the day included the Speaker of the Parliament of the Central Tibetan Administration, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the Secretary of CTA’s Religion and Cultural Department, Representative of the Honorable Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation of the Government of Nepal and the Secretary of Ecclesiastical Affairs Department of Sikkim, along with the monks, nuns and the local communities. The event was celebrated with the delivering of speeches and the giving of presents. This event marked the conclusion of the 60 year anniversary celebration of Namdroling Monastery.
An official video of the Namdroling Monastery 60 Year Anniversary is now available for viewing at the Pathgate Dharma Theatre. Please click here for the link.