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HOW CAN I VISIT DREPUNG LOSELING MONASTERY

February 17, 2023 admin No Comments

Where is Drepung Loseling Monastery in India?

Drepung Loseling Monastery (DLM) is located in the Tibetan Settlement in Mundgod, in the North Kanara district of Karnataka State, South India. The settlement has a population of 12,500 Tibetans and is comprised of nine camps and seven monasteries. Drepung Loseling Monastery is located in what is known as Lama Camp No. 2 in this settlement and is the largest of the monastic communities in the settlement, housing more than 3,000 monks.

How can I get to Drepung Loseling Monastery?

The most convenient way is to fly into Bombay, Bangalore or Goa. There are direct flights from major European cities to each of these three cities. From Bombay and Bangalore(Bengal?ru), one can take a domestic flight to Hubli or Belgaun. Hubli(see map) is approximately 30 miles (47 km) from the Monastery and Belgaun approximately 61 miles (100 km) from the Monastery. There are also trains running from both Bombay and Bangalore to Hubli as well. These days, there are a number of very good airlines that offer flights from Bombay and Bangalore to Hubli and Belgaun.

From Goa, there are no express train services to Hubli, so most people travel by taxi or bus from Goa to the Monastery. However, as this is a somewhat long drive of about six hours, we would not recommend this route unless you are planning on spending some time in Goa before or after your visit to the Monastery (Goa is famous for its beaches, and December/January is the peak season for tourism there). If you travel via Goa, you will need to arrange your own ground transportation to and from the Monastery, as it is too far away for the Monastery’s hospitality committee to meet you in Goa.

How can I make my travel arrangements?

The best option would be to contact a travel agency to make arrangements for all air and ground transportation up to Hubli. December/January is peak season for traveling to India, but you can find better rates with consolidators who specialize in flights to and from India. A consolidator we have worked with in the past is Everest Travel (www.everesttravel.com, phone: (770) 220-1866, email: info@everesttravel.net). If you choose to make your travel arrangements with them, please mention that you were referred by Yeshe at Drepung Loseling Monastery in Atlanta. Once in Hubli, a Drepung Loseling hospitality group will receive you, so kindly fill out the time of your arrival in the appropriate place on the enclosed application form. They will help you check into a hotel if you are planning on staying in Hubli, or help you with your transportation on to the Monastery. The drive to the Monastery takes approximately one hour from Hubli.

When should I arrive at the Monastery?

His Holiness arrives in Mundgod on January 3 and will take up residence at Drepung Lachi, the temple common to Drepung Loseling, Drepung Gomang, and Drepung Deyang Monasteries. His Holiness will then give a teaching from January 4-6 at the General Assembly Hall of Drepung Monastic University. On January 7, His Holiness will take up residence at Drepung Loseling Monastery, and will then offer the programs as noted in the invitation card. If you plan to attend a permissory empowerment into the Dharma Protector Lhamo (Shridevi) and teachings on Manjushrinamasamgiti (a famous tantric text known as the Expression of the Names of Manjushri) at the General Assembly Hall please plan to arrive at the Monastery by January 3. The Drepung Loseling events begin on the 7th with the inauguration of the new Loseling Prayer Hall and conclude with a Long-Life Puja Ceremony honoring His Holiness as well as the long-life initiation from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the audience on January 14. You may leave on the 15th or thereafter. If you are only visiting the Monastery for the inauguration of the new prayer hall alone, you may arrive by the 5th and leave on any day from the 9th onward.

How can I obtain a visa and Protective Area Permit?

The Monastery is located in an area designated as a Protected Area by the Indian government, and therefore foreigners are required to obtain a Protective Area Permit (PAP) to enter and stay overnight at the Monastery. We have enclosed a PAP application form. Please complete one for each person who will be traveling and mail them back to us. Please make additional copies as needed or print additional forms from here: http://nagaland.nic.in/citizenservices/Forms/Restricted%20Area%20Permit.htm.

Usually one is required to send this application form directly to the Home Ministry of India in Delhi, but because of the shortage of time and also the special nature of this visit, our office here in Atlanta has made arrangements with the Drepung Loseling branch in New Delhi to deliver these applications by hand to the Home Ministry. The processing of these permits could take up to four months, so we request that you return the completed form to us no later than August 31. We will not be able to guarantee securing a permit for you if we do not receive this form by then. Please make a note of the following important steps:

Obtain an Indian visa immediately from one of the Indian consulates nearest your town. You can get information on the U.S. locations for the Indian consulates as well as a tourist visa form from http://www.indianembassy.org. Please note that you should apply for a tourist visa and make no mention of the Tibetan settlement or Mundgod as your destination. If you indicate your intention to travel to Mundgod, it is likely that your application will be delayed in order to obtain clearance from the Home Ministry of India. You should simply state your purpose of visit as tourist and perhaps give Bombay, Bangalore, Delhi or any other major city in India as your destination. If you need to provide a reference in India, you may use Geshe Thupten Dorjee Negi, Tibetan Buddhist Temple, L90-95, Laxmi Nagar, New Delhi 110092. Telephone 011-2-244-1856. We recommend that you apply for a visa in person at one of the Indian consulates if there is a consulate in your jurisdiction near your area. If you have to send it by mail, make sure that you enclose a FedEx or UPS return airway bill and envelope, filled out to be charged to the recipient. Often people experience difficulty in getting their passports sent back to them in a timely manner, and at times it can take weeks to get a visa and passport if one mails it to them without including a return express mail envelope and airway bill.Note: Those of you who are from the metro Atlanta or nearby areas, you have an opportunity to apply for your visa on August 4 at the Summant Culture Centre, 1450 Huie Road, Lake City, GA 30260 between 9:00am and 12:30pm during the monthly visa camp day set by the Indian consulate in Houston. It would be helpful for you to connect with others in the area to arrange for a carpool to go to the visa camp location to apply for visas. Brendan has been kind to offer to facilitate this carpooling for this day; if you are interested please contact him at bozawad@emory.edu.
Once you have obtained the visa, fill out the enclosed Protective Area Permit application form. Please submit to our office five copies of this completed form, five passport photos, and five copies of your passport (the first and second pages that contain your photo and other personal information and the signature of the bearer, and also the page that contains the Indian visa). Please send these along with the enclosed RSVP/Application form from Drepung Loseling Monastic Institution to us at Drepung Loseling Monastery, Inc., 2092 Vistadale Court, Tucker, GA 30084. Tel. (770) 938-9709.Note: These must arrive at our office in Atlanta by August 31 to ensure enough time for us to secure the permit on your behalf from the Indian Home Ministry in Delhi. Please check with us a few days after you mail this package to make sure that we received it.

What accommodations are available at the Monastery?

The Monastery has a limited number of simple guest house facilities with or without attached bathrooms. However, every effort will be made to accommodate our guests who request accommodations at the Monastery. You may also choose to stay in Hubli, where there are more options. There are several fairly good hotels in Hubli, not nearly as good as Ramada or Holiday Inn, but quite clean and comfortable, with rates ranging from US $30-$70 per night. If you choose to stay in Hubli, please let us know if you would like for us to assist you with booking a room by August 31. The Monastery will arrange a shuttle service to pick up and drop off guests from Hubli each day in the morning and evening. For information on accommodations in Hubli, if you would like to make your own reservation, please visit www.clickhubli.com/hubli.html. If you choose to make your own reservation, the Monastery will not be responsible for securing your accommodation, so please be sure that you secure all the necessary information and confirmations, and that you have all the necessary documents prior to your departure.

What should I bring?

Please bring a few extra passport photos, and an AM/FM radio with earphones to receive the English translation of the teachings. It will also be useful to bring along a flashlight, as the power is erratic at the Monastery. Bringing along an extra copy of your passport, which you keep in a separate location from your passport, may also be helpful in case you lose your passport while traveling. Flip-flops or other shoes that can be easily washed can also be useful.

Health and Sanitation

Before leaving your country to India it would be wise to seek advice from your Department of Health as to whether you require shots as a precautionary measure to protect from flu, malaria and other illnesses. The Monasteryâ€™s LAMA clinic with their team of volunteer doctors will be always available for medical help and assistance. Due to overcrowding during public gatherings, you may wish to bring a protective dust mask with you to avoid dust inhalation-related illnesses. It may be useful to have a first-aid kit for colds, diarrhea, and fever for emergency needs for your travel in India as some areas may have little or no medical facilities. Please visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/indianrg.htm for a list of suggested vaccinations and preventive medications for South Asia.

What will the weather be like at the Monastery?

Mundgod, where the Monastery is located, sits at an altitude of 1800 ft. above sea level and typically experiences temperatures ranging between 70°F to 90°F during the day and an average rainfall of 0 to 1″ in the months of December and January. Evenings are generally cool in the 60°Fs.

Food and Drink

Vegetarian meals will be provided to invited guests of Drepung Loseling Monastery during the event. There are also a few restaurants within the Monastery campus, as well as local vendors selling ready-made food, fruit, vegetables, and drinks. You should be very careful regarding food and drinks, as many foreigners tend to get sick easily with food poisoning. It is absolutely necessary that you drink only bottled water or well-boiled water while you are in India, and avoid salads and fruits washed with non-bottled water.

Etiquette at the Monastery and at the Teachings

In order to honor the monastic way of life while you are at the Monastery, we recommend that you avoid wearing too revealing clothing. Short-sleeve shirts or T-shirts are fine, but perhaps not short pants or skirts. However, since the weather will be quite warm in January, it will be good to wear light clothing.

Seating and Translation of the Teachings – Foreign visitors at the teaching will be seated together in a designated area. The general convention is that you are assigned a seat on the first day of the series of teachings, and thereafter keep to that seat for the duration of the teachings. This seating arrangement is done in order to facilitate the simultaneous translation of the teaching that the non-Tibetan speaking audience will hear through an FM broadcast. In order to be able to listen to the translation, please bring an FM radio with headphones so as not to disturb the others who are listening in Tibetan. Although the quality of the signal varies according to the circumstances, you can often improve reception by changing the angle and position of the antenna of your radio, which is often incorporated in the headphone lead. Seating will be on the floor, which may become uncomfortable during the long teaching sessions. You are welcome to adjust your seating posture as necessary, but please avoid stretching your legs out, especially towards the shrine and His Holiness, as this is considered very rude in the Tibetan tradition. If sitting becomes too painful, it is all right to leave the teaching area for a few minutes to relax and then re-enter

Tea – It is customary for tea to be served to the gathering during these teachings. This will be either Tibetan butter tea, which is salty, or Indian-style sweet tea made with milk. It is not rude to decline the tea if you do not wish to drink it. Do not drink the tea right away when it is served to you, but please wait until the offering chant is made.

Interacting with the Monks and Nuns – The monastic community is very friendly and you are welcome to greet and speak with the monks and nuns. However, if you are staying at the Monastery, it is important that you not visit the monksâ private quarters after dark. It will also be inappropriate to express public displays of intimacy with other visitors, as this would cause unnecessary discomfort to the monastic community.

Changing money

The Indian rupee is not officially convertible, and a few government-run shops will still insist on seeing official exchange receipts if you’re visibly a foreigner and attempt to pay in rupees instead of hard currency. Rates for exchanging rupees overseas are often poor.

Outside airports you can only change US dollars, Euros and sometimes UK sterling pounds. In big cities, there are now ATMs where you can get rupees against your international debit or credit card (different ATMs will have varing withdrawal limits). State Bank of India (SBI) ATMs usually don’t accept foreign cards. Therefore, you may have to search around to find an ATM that will work with your card. Citibank has a significant presence in India, as does HSBC. ICICI bank has the second largest network of ATMs, and accepts most of the international cards at a nominal charge. It is always worthwhile to have bank cards or credit cards from at least two different providers, to ensure that you have a backup available in case one card is suspended by your bank, or simply doesn’t work at a particular ATM.

In the big cities, credit cards are accepted at retail chain stores and other westernized restaurants and stores. Small businesses and family-run stores almost never accept credit cards, so it is useful to keep a moderate amount of cash on hand.

Security at the Monastery

Recommend people to keep valuables with them at all times and note any arrangements by monastery if there is a safe to put valuables, etc

Print this page Send this page The Grand Inauguration of the New Assembly Hall of Drepung Loseling Monastery On 7th January 2008

February 10, 2023February 17, 2023 admin No Comments

News

Since the holy entrance of Buddhism into Tibet in the 7th century, Tibetan society has been predominantly centred around Buddhism and the Sangha, with daily life and even lay communities being influenced by Buddhism and the Sangha. As a result, spiritual values over material gains is firmly rooted in “typical” Tibetan families. Although Tibetans were backward in terms of technology, their mental happiness was prioritised.

It is the genuine quest to facilitate this ‘mental happiness’ that Centers for Advanced Buddhist learnings like Drepung Loseling plays a vital role.

Ever since it’s inception in early 15th century, Drepung Loseling Monastic Institute had been an elite Center for Advanced Buddhist Studies and Practices. After its virtual destruction in Lhasa, Tibet by the Communists In 1959, through the guidance and blessings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, it was re-established in South India and has regained its past glory.

The number of aspirants In the Monastery have been increasing – partly due to new arrivals and partly due to the recognition of Loseling Monastery as an outstanding place to study Buddhadharma and practice — well indicated by the monastery’s building of two Assembly Halls in quick succession only to be rendered over-congested in a very short time.

It was in mid-1990s, that the problem of over-congested Assembly hall came to the fore. His Holiness the Dalai Lama, seeing an urgent need, suggested that thought be given to address this acute problem. Showing tremendous concern for our monastery, His Holiness conducted many observations and consulted supreme deities and oracles on this matter.

In 2003, the New Assembly Hall Project was launched and gained instant and quick momentum, thanks to the inspiration from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the enthusiasm of the monks to proceed with the project. A myriad number of programs, and fund-raising efforts were carried out worldwide to garner the funds needed to make the new hall possible. And now, it is ready for the formal inauguration by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 7th January 2008.

Wishing to make the Inauguration Ceremony a grand success being a matter of utmost priotiy, a 15-member Preparation and Reception Committee was constituted — one year in advance — by a unanimous General Body of Monks Meeting. The committee has been putting all their hard efforts planning to provide the best hospitality (though very limited in resources) to those attending His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ 2 weeks’ teaching plus host a high profile Science-Seminar, attended by many renowned Scientific figures from USA and else where. In this regard, the committee – criss-crossing India and beyond—-has approached many influential figures in politics and others to gather support for the event. His Excellency the Governors of Karnataka State (our home state) and two other neighboring states have graciously agreed to be among the confirmed Guests of Honour on the auspicious occasion.

It Is our sincere desire to extend our humble helping hand to everyone coming for the teachings, hoping to relieve them of any unpleasant experiences during the stay. It’s our honour and privilege to host as many of you and we humbly request you all to inform us of your schedule particulars, accommodation needs etc — as soon as possible, preferably through e-mail or telephone — in order to help us serve you better.

The Inauguration of the New Assembly Hall by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a great moment and grand occasion to rejoice with our friends and well-wishers and remember their perennial kind generous support all these years. Yes, it is also rare golden opportunity and privilege to play a small role to serve the Buddhadharma by hosting 2 weeks of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings benefiting one and all.

This Grand Prayer Hall is not just a matter of brick and mortar. It is the hope and aspiration of monks come to life; it is a house of prayer; a focal point to nurture humble yet profound spiritualism. It is a place where practitioners come together to help this planet and a world which is troubled by many sorrows.

We, the monks of Drepung Loseling Monastic Institute are eagerly looking forward to your joining us on the Great Occasion.

SPECIAL GRATITUDE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ON INAUGURATION

We are profoundly grateful to our sublime His Holiness the Dalai Lama for gracing this occasion with His precious teachings and allocating time to officiate the Inauguration despite his busy schedule.

We are deeply grateful for the presence of our honoured guests and dignatories for your years of help, understanding and friendship.

We greatly appreciate our friends and well-wishers here and around the world facilitating the successful completion of this grand New Assembly Hall —currently the largest Buddhist Congregational Prayer Hall in the world. It would have been remained just a plan-on-paper without your generous support.

WITH PRAYERS FOR YOUR GOOD HEALTH AND FULFILLED NOBLE WISHES

Songs of the Spirit: music to live by

February 5, 2023February 17, 2023 admin No Comments

Events, News

By MICHAEL LISI, Special to the Times Union
First published: Sunday, November 18, 2007

TROY — Remember “We Are The World,” the 1980s hit performed by a plethora of ’80s hitmakers that called themselves USA For Africa?

Or WOMAD, the ongoing world music tour inspired by Peter Gabriel?

That’s sort of what Songs of the Spirit concert series is like — without so many stars or any big hair. Sort of.

A celebration of unity through music, Songs of the Spirit is a spiritual melding of musical styles that seem to clash at first blush. I mean, who would ever think to mix spacey jazz with the chanting of Tibetan monks?

It certainly worked at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Saturday night. The three-hour performance — featuring Odetta, Hugh Masekela, Klezmatics trumpeter Frank London and Persian/Suri trance rocker Haale among others — was eclectic, spiritual, surprising and pleasing all at the same time.

From trombonist Craig Harris and his band playing psychedelic jazz behind the monotone chanting of the Tibetan Monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery to the sheer joy of the traditional Yiddish folk performed by London accordionist/singer Lorin Sklamberg, Haale and others, Songs of the Sprit soared.

And that was just the first half of the show.

The second half featured the spirited cornet playing of South African horn great Hugh Masekela, who was upstaged — much to his delight — by folk icon Odetta, who sang with passion after being guided on stage in a wheelchair.

The show, broken into two 90-minute sets with a 20-minute intermission, was interesting and quite accessible; the focus was on the musical genres, not the music or even the performers. Folk, jazz, blues, rock, klezmer, gospel, chanting, trance, and pounding African rhythms were all incorporated into the performance, which was intriguing and entertaining from start to end.

It helped that the performances were as visual as they were musical; the Tibetan monks took the stage in traditional garb, while the Shangilia Youth Choir of Kenya were dressed in colorful African-style clothing. Musicians joined each other on songs throughout the night; it was always a pleasant surprise to see the likes of London and Haale or Masekela and Odetta playing together.

Odetta took the stage last, coming on just before 11 p.m. The wait was worth it; this woman still possesses the fire and soul that made her one of the folk/blues greats of the 20th century. She may be in a wheelchair, but Odetta wasn’t feeble by any means. She got herself comfortable and belted out about 15 minutes of solid blues, including the lovely “Something Inside So Strong” and the saucy “Alabama Bound.”

Masekela was amazing, his dulcet horn tones simply lovely in a South African love song he said was called “The Love Bird.” He danced and chanted, sharing the stage with the Shangilia Youth Choir of Kenya, which opened the second set with 10 minutes of stomping and dancing, all to thumping drum beat.

Songs of The Spirit lifted the spirit and made for a memorable night at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on Saturday night.

Michael Lisi is a freelance music writer from Rotterdam and a frequent contributor to the Times Union.

SONGS OF THE SPIRIT with Hugh Masekela, Odetta, Craig Harris & Friends, Frank London & Lorin Sklamberg, Haale, Tracy Grammer, The Shangilia Youth Choir of Kenya, and The Tibetan Monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday

Where: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 30 Second St., Troy

Length: Two 90-minute sets, with a 20-minute intermission.

The Crowd: A diverse, nicely dressed, enthusiastic crowd of about 500, which enjoyed the sampling of world music served up in Songs of the Spirit on Saturday night.

PROGRAMS DURING THE VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS TO MUNDGOD 2nd to 16th January 2008

January 17, 2023February 17, 2023 admin No Comments

News

Wednesday, the 2nd January
His Holiness will leave Bangalore at 8:30 am. He will reach Hubli at 9:50 am. His Holiness will leave from and reach Mundgod at 11:00 am. He will be invited to His Holiness’ chamber at the Drepung Monastic University and will serve the lunch there at 12:00 pm.
Thursday, the 3rd January 2008
From 8:30 am to 11:30 am, His Holiness will give teachings on from the text Manjushri-nama-samgiti (Uttering the Names of Manjushri) Lunch will be served at 11:30 am.
Friday, the 4th January 2008
From 8:30 am to 11:30 am, His Holiness will give teachings on from the text Manjushri-nama-samgiti (Uttering the Names of Manjushri) Lunch will be served at 11:30 am.
Saturday, the 5th January 2008
From 8:30 am to 11:30 am, His Holiness will bestow the subsequent permission of Shridevi (Palden Lhamo), followed by a long life puja to His Holiness jointly by the Governing Council of the Drepung Monastic University and Kunde Ling Rinpoche. Lunch will be served at 11:30 am.
Sunday, the 6th January 2008
His Holiness will visit the Gaden Monastic University at 8:30 am. At 10:00 am, His Holiness will visit the Jangchub Choeling Nunnery and consecrate the prayer hall of the nunnery at 10:15 am. At 11:00 am, His Holiness will visit back to the Drepung Monastery. Lunch will be served at 12:30 pm.

At 2 pm, His Holiness will reach at the main gate of the new prayer hall of the Loseling College and a brief opening ceremony of the stone-pillar. He will be invited to His chamber at top of the prayer hall
Monday, the 7th January 2008
Opening ceremony of the new prayer hall of the Loseling College [See the detailed program of the day]
Tuesday, the 8th January 2008
From 8:30 am to 11:30 am, His Holiness will perform the preparatory empowerment of the thirteen-deity Yamantaka empowerment. Lunch will be served at 11:30 am.

From 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, introduction of the new science project and discussions on science and Buddhism.
Wednesday, the 9th January 2008
From 8:30 am to 11:30 am, His Holiness will bestow the thirteen-deity Yamantaka empowerment. Lunch will be served at 11:30 am.
Thursday, the 10th January 2008
From 8:30 am to 11:30 am, His Holiness will give teachings. Lunch will be served at 11:30 am.
Friday, the 11th January 2008
From 8:30 am to 11:30 am, His Holiness will give teachings. Lunch will be served at 11:30 am.
Saturday, the 12th January 2008
From 8:30 am to 11:30 am, His Holiness will give teachings. Lunch will be served at 11:30 am.
Sunday, the 13th January 2008
From 8:30 am to 11:30 am, His Holiness will give teachings. Lunch will be served at 11:30 am.
Monday, the 14th January 2008
In the morning, His Holiness will bestow a longevity empowerment followed by a long life puja to His Holiness by the Loseling College and common Tibetan mass of the Mundgod Tibetan Settlement, followed by an annual report reading by the Tibetan regional welfare officer. Then His Holiness will give a general teaching to the public. Lunch will be served at 12 pm.
Tuesday, the 15th January 2008
His Holiness will visit the Deyang Monastery. Lunch will be served at 12 pm.
Thursday, the 16th January 2008
His Holiness will leave for Hubli at 8:30 am. At 10:20 am he will depart to Bangalore from Hubli. From Bangalore he will take a flight to Bombay at 12:05 pm and return to Dharamsala.

A BRIEF HISTORY: DREPUNG LOSELING COLLEGE

December 31, 2021 admin No Comments

History

Loseling College Before 1959

In the Lankavatara Sutra, translated from Chinese into Tibetan, the Buddha, after giving Maugalayana (one of his main disciples) a white conch offered to him by the Naga King Anavatapta, speaks:

Conceal this as a treasure in Gogpari Hill [in Tibet]. In the future, this bhikshu, Lotus Scented, will discover this conch and it will become the conch for assembling monks. The guardian of this conch shall assume the physical appearance of a monkey.

As prophesied here, Jamyang Choeje Tashi Palden (1379-1449), who was born near Samye Monastery as the son of a scribe of the chieftain Dakpa Gyaltsen, became one of the four principal disciples of Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419). His enlightened activities spread far and wide and he went to see Je Tsongkhapa at Gaden Monastery to relate his dream indicating the auspiciousness of building a monastery around Denbak, and Je Tsongkhapa said to him, “If you built a monastery it would be grander than this mother monastery [of mine].” Saying this, Tsongkhapa gave him the special conch he had discovered at Gokpari Hill and personally gave him instructions for laying the foundation and the blueprint of the monastery.

Accordingly Jamyang Choeje founded Drepung Monastic University in 1416 AD under the patronage of the ruler Namkha Pel. As the number of monks studying at his monastery grew hugely, he appointed seven of his principal disciples, such as the abbot Palden Senge, to teaching jobs. Hence, this resulted in the birth of seven different colleges within the monastic university. They were Loseling (founded by Lekdenpa), Gomang (by Drung Dakpa Rinchen), Deyang (by Chokchen Janchub Pel), Shagkor (by Lopon Rabchok), Thoesamling or Gyalpa (by Lopon Kunga Rinchen), Dulwa (by Drung Tsondu Dakpa) and Ngagpa (by Lopon Gyaltsen Tsultrim). Of these seven teachers Lekdenpa attracted the most number of disciples and, under the patronage of Neudzongpa, he established his monastic college separately. Since the college produced a vast number of incomparable scholars of literature it became rightly renowned as the Khemang Losel Jewai Ling Dratshang – The Monastic College of a Million Brilliant Scholars.

Until today there have been seventy-nine successiveabbots of the Loseling College. They have contributed immensely to the preservation and promotion of Buddhism in general and particularly for the progress of the monastic scholarship and the growth of Loseling College. Especially the seventh abbot, Jamyang Gawae Lodoe, who was known all over for his scholarship, and who wrote commentaries on the Middle Way philosophy and the Perfection of Wisdom texts which were used as the textbooks of the college until they were replaced by new textbooks written by Panchen Sonam Dakpa. There are written records stating that during that time Drepung Monastic University in general received support from the Neuzongpa, and particularly, the Loseling College received funds for the enlargement of its prayer hall and storeroom. So it clearly shows that the Loseling College already had a prayer hall before the seventh abbot.

Panchen Sonam Dakpa (1478-1554) became one of the main disciples of the Second Dalai Lama Gedun Gyatso (1476- 1542). As directed by the Second Dalai Lama, Panchen Sonam Dakpa became the Loseling abbot and taught there for about six years. He took a great responsibility for its academic activities and administrations. For the benefit of all beings, he bestowed upasaka vows to the Third Dalai Lama and named him Sonam Gyatso Pel Sangpo.

Panchen Sonam Dakpa wrote fourteen volumes of treatises on the five major Buddhist texts for the benefit and promotion of the teachings of the Buddha in general and the Yellow Hat tradition in particular. Even today these commentaries are being used as the main textbooks in the Loseling College, the Shartse College of the Gaden Monastic University, in many monasteries of Kham and Amdo provinces of Tibet as well as in some monasteries in Mongolia.

Loseling College: After 1959

In 1959, among those who followed His Holiness into exile in India, 1,500 monks were selected from the three monastic universities of the Geluk tradition and the Nyingma, Kagyu and Sakya traditions as seeds of monasticism in exile. They were kept at a temporary study center established at Buxa Duar in the Indian state of West Bengal for the preservation and promotion of the great Buddhist traditions.

There were 217 monks from the Loseling College at the center. Under the guidance and tutorship of the then abbot Phara Pema Gyaltsen, they lived there for more than a decade with sincere effort for the preservation and promotion of the teachings, which were on the brink of extinction. At that time, since all of them were facing problems that beset refugees – they had much financial difficulty and they were not used to utilizing residential houses as prayer halls. Since all the rooms were roofed with tin sheets, they could not hear each other during monastic debate sessions, especially during the rainy season. The abbot, Phara Pema Gyaltsen, not only taught the students but also encouraged others to do so. Apart from all the teaching and administrative responsibilities he started a printing project to make the important texts available to the monks. His efforts and vision for the preservation and promotion of the tradition of the Loseling was incomparable and praiseworthy.

Sometime in 1966, in the process of turning the Buxa Center into a modern school system, there were many disagreements and opinions about the unimportance of setting up separate monastic colleges, names and so forth. Yet, despite all those difficulties, Phara Pema Gyaltsen remained calm and never declined in his own efforts for the benefit of the teachings of the Buddha, exhibiting his principled nature.

In 1969, when the Buxa Center was shifted to Mundgod in the state of Karnataka, in south India, there were three hundred monks in the Loseling College. For three years they had to use a clay-roofed shelter as the prayer hall.

In the 1970’s Abbot Yeshe Thupten established many new initiatives for the progress of education at the college, appointing Chagzoes (bursars) for the administrative work and choosing separate supervisors for farming and dairy cattle. He also constructed a prayer hall which was also used for other religions ceremonies, and its courtyard for debate. Moreover, this prayer hall was used for receiving important teachings from great masters. For example, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave teachings on the Eight Thousand Verses of Prajnaparamita Sutra and Nagarjuna’s six treatises on Middle Way philosophy except Precious Garland; His Holiness’ tutor, Ling Rinpoche, gave teachings on Je Tsongkhapa’s The Great Treatise on the Graded Path and Essence of the Good Explanation, Mind Training Like the Rays of the Sun and Thirteen Staircases of Yamantaka; His Holiness’ tutor Trijang Rinpoche gave teachings from the Seven-point Mind Training; Shakor Khen Rinpoche Nyima Gyaltsen gave teachings on the Middle Way philosophy; Dema Lochoe Rinpoche gave all the cycle of teachings of Guhyasamaja Vajra Garland; Pangnang Rinpoche gave oral transmission of the Tengyur (225 Indian treatises translated into Tibetan) texts and gave initiation of Yamantaka and taught on its Generation and Completion Stages; and Kirti Tsenshab Rinpoche gave initiations of the Mitri Gyatsa text. Due to these blessings the prayer hall still stands splendidly!

As the number of monks steadily grew, there was a dire need of a bigger prayer hall. Khensur Tsulkhang Rinpoche took the main initiative to construct a larger prayer hall with a chamber for His Holiness on top. It is the existing prayer hall which has been in use for the past many years.

During their abbotship Tehor Lobsang Nyima, Ladhak Rizong Sae Rinpoche Thupten Nyima, Tsulkhang Konchok Wangdue, Tsulkhang Konchok Paksam and the present abbot Gowo Lobsang Gyatso, in spite of difficulties, have contributed greatly to preserving monastic discipline, promoting monastic studies and raising the living standards of the monks at Loseling College.

At the dawn of the twenty-first century, the college again started to face problems as the prayer hall became too small for the increasing number of monks. The monks were divided into two groups during teachings and prayers and half of them sat in the debate courtyard. This was noticed by His Holiness during a long life prayer offered to him by the ex-Gaden Tripa Lobsang Nyima. His Holiness asked him whether the college had any plans for constructing a new prayer hall or not. Later, the college requested His Holiness to advise whether to build a new hall or to enlarge the existing one. His Holiness suggested to build a new one according to his Mo divination. Moreover, he advised the abbot and staff to consult the Dharma Protector of the college to see whether the project should start immediately or sometime later. They consulted the Protector through a dough-divination whereby it was indicated the project should start immediately.

Then a general meeting was held under the guidance of the present abbot and they set up a new construction committee headed by Trehor Zangra Rinpoche Thupten Jampa with five other members, who started the actual construction work in the year 2005.

The college has been able to complete the new prayer hall, which can hold more than five thousand monks, in traditional Tibetan design. This has been accomplished primarily due to the blessings and inspiration of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama; the power of blessing of our spiritual masters, the Three Jewels and Sangha community; the support of the Dharma Protectors; financial support from the Financial Director of the construction project, Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, (who is the president of the Loseling Buddhist Center in the USA and its staff); support from the ex-Gaden Throne-holder Venerable Lobsang Nyima Tenzin Rinpoche; also Jangtse Choeje Rizong Rinpoche, Sharpa Choeje Lobsang Tenzin Rinpoche, Kyabje Denma Lochoe Rinpoche, Kyabje Yongzing Lingtrul Rinpoche, Nyangri Khentrul Rinpoche, who lives in the USA; and likewise, with support from the Potala Buddhist Centre in England, the Taipei and Taichung Buddhist Centers in Taiwan and many generous people; and the hard work of the construction committee and other responsible functionaries. His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama consented to inaugurate and consecrate the hall. We are looking forward to this wonderful day of celebration!

LOSELING PROTECTOR SHRINEROOM

The Thirteen Deity Vajrabhairava, which is the principal deity in the protector shrine, is surrounded by the four Mahakalas, four Dharmarajas, Nechung, Gadong, Four-face Mahakala and so on; these statues of the Dharma Protectors are full of blessings. After doing the self-generation of the Thirteen Deity Vajrabhairava a few Geshes and Mahakala ritualists (gonpowa) perform the rituals of each of the Dharma Protectors, and confess wrongdoings and restore damaged pledges several times over all day long. They beseech the Dharma Protectors to help in the success of all the abbot and former abbots, the administration of the monastery and religious studies of the monks. The day long propitiation is concluded by praises, dissolution of the deities and, finally, an expression of good luck.

Concerning the Dharma Protector ritual, the Geshes who have been to Gyuto and Gyumed Tantric Colleges alternate every fifteen days to perform these rituals to ensure that the practice is done correctly either in the Gyuto or Gyumed tradition without mixing the two.

Opening Ceremony of the Drepung Loseling Monastery New Temple

September 10, 2021December 31, 2021 admin No Comments

Events

On this auspicious day, January 07, 2008, Drepung Loseling Monastery formally went on line in a most pleasing and gracious manner. The official website, www.loselingmonastery.org, was launched by none other than His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. This auspicious occasion is yet another remarkable milestone in the glorious history of Drepung Loseling Monastery. Years of hard work and determination finally drew close to the grand finale—the inauguration of the New Temple by His Holiness the 14th Dali Lama. Indeed, graced by His Holiness the 14th Dali Lama, H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and many other Eminent Spiritual and Political Dignitaries from all spheres and around the globe, the event served multiple global causes and provided genuine benefit to the Tibetan cause.

The Inauguration Ceremony of the Drepung Loseling New Temple was held in both the Tibetan Tradition and a formal Inauguration. Sacred traditional Tibetan morning prayers by a huge Sangha from around the World proceeded at 7 am. The New Temple was reverberating with sacred chanting of auspicious devotional prayers by the holy Sangha at 8 am. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama sanctified the New Temple by cutting the ribbon followed by further chanting of many sacred prayers in His Kind Presence. Loseling Monastery made traditional offerings to the sacred Sangha. The Formal Inauguration began at 10:00 am, graced by a great many eminent figures cutting across all lines of division. This great event was made possible by the Loseling Organizing Committee, headed by His Eminence T.G. Rinpoche (Member of Legislative Assembly [MLA] and Spiritual Leader of Arunachal Pradesh), and his concerted sincere efforts making this a grand and successful event.

Our Honorable Dignitary Guest List was of a very high caliber including the following who attended:

1.    His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
2.    His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
3.    His Holiness Dr. Veerendra Hegde, great spiritual leader
4.    His Eminence T.G. Rinpoche, MLA and spiritual leader of Arunachal Pradesh
5.    His Excellency Shri Dorjee Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh
6.    Shri Kiren Riiju, Honourable Member of Parliament
7.    Venerable Lama Chosphel Zotpa, member of National Commission for Minorities
8.    Shri Tshering Samphel, member of National Commission for SC/ST
9.    Shri R.V. Deshpande, former minister of Karnataka State
10.    Shri Dharampal Negi, Additional Director General of Police, Karnataka State
11.    Shri Naresh Glow, MLA Arunachal Pradesh
12.    Shri Tsering Dhargyal, IASChief Secretary to Government of Andaman and Nicobar Island
13.    Shri Yeshi Tsering, IAS Secretary to Government of Meghalaya
14.    Tsechokling Rinpoche, Secretary to Government of Sikkim
15.    Shri District Commissioner, District of Karwar
16.    Shri Superintendent of Police, District of Karwar
17.    Shri Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat of Karwar and many other Indian Dignitaries.

Our Tibetan Guest Dignitaries include

1    Mr Ngawang Phelgye, Justice Commissioner CTA
2    Mr Karma Choephel, Chairman of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile
3    Fifteen members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile
4    Venerable Professor Samdhong Rinpoche Chairman Kashag, Tibetan Cabinet
5    Venerable Tsering Phuntsok, Minister for Religios Affairs, CTA
6    Mr Gyari Rinpoche, His Holiness’s Special Envoy to U.S.A.
And many other high level Tibetan Dignataries.

Many other Distinquished Guests, who were unable to grace the occasion, sent their gracious messages for which we remain eternally grateful. These included

1.    Her Excellency Shrimati Pratiba Patil, the President of India
2.    The Honorable Vice President of India
3.    Her Excellency Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, Honnourable Congress President
4    His Excellency Rameshwar Thakur, Honourable Governor of Karnataka State
5    His Excellency SC Jamir, Honourable Governor of Goa
6    His Excellency Mukut Muthi, Honourable Lt. Governor of Pondichery
7    Her Excellency Shrimati Sheila Dikshit, Honourable Chief Minister of Delhi
8    Shri Subhod Kant Sahai, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries
And many other prominent spiritual and political figures

The formal Inauguration Ceremony was set in motion by a welcoming speech by Venerable Geshe Damdul Namgyal, followed by the unveiling of the New Temple photograph and the lighting of the All Illuminating Lamp by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Then, our Venerable Abbot, Geshe Lobsang Gyatso, welcomed all the esteemed guests of the event, particularly His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and other Dignitaries who graced this auspicious occasion. He recounted the background, genesis and successful completion of the New Temple and on behalf of the whole Drepung Loseling Monastery, extended his hearty gratitude to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and all the other kind supporters who made this Grand Temple a reality and to those who also provide perennial support to Loseling Monastery in all other vital areas.

Shri R.V. Deshpande, former Minister of Karnataka state, in his address, highlighted the positive aspects of Tibetans as being sincere, peaceful and hard working and pledged continued assistance to the Tibetan cause and for the welfare of Tibetans in Karnataka State in particular. With profound respect he acknowledged the rarity of the meeting of the two great Eminent Souls in His Holiness the Dalai Lama and H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Shri R.V. Deshpande also requested His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama to visit Mundgod as frequently as possible. He hopes to turn Mundgod into a genuine World Tourist Center through the assistance of the Indian Central Government. He considers this holy structure, Loseling Monastery’s New Temple, a masterpiece and the serene environment around it quite soothing.

Venerable Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, Chairman of the Tibetan Cabinet in Exile and an Alumnus of Loseling Monastery, in his address, thanked all those responsible for the successful completion of the New Temple on behalf of the Cabinet and himself. So impressed by the New Temple, he wondered if it would surely be deemed the work of a miracle by our successors a century or so forward. Rinpoche also stressed the need to compliment the Temple with more concerted efforts in realizing the purpose for which it was built, and to enhance the smooth running of the noble spiritual curriculum of the monastery.

His Excellency Dorjee Khandu, Honorable Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, in his address, expressed his gratitude to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for being a Champion of Peace, not only for the Tibetans, but for the whole world and in particular for the people of Arunachal Pradesh. The vibrant Buddhist culture prevalent in Arunachal Pradesh owes all to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. H.E. Dorjee Khandu, stepping further in his support to the many Tibetans living in Arunachal Pradesh, pronounced many upcoming plans meant for them. He also apprised His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of the many projects completed and extended a humble invitation to His Holiness to visit Arunachal Pradesh often.

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, despite having a very hectic schedule (an important appointment at Hydrabad in the evening) made a point to jointly grace the Great Occasion with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, in his insightful address, referred to the Buddha Nature of Buddhism and the Shiva Nature of Hinduism, and interestingly, elaborated on how wisdom and compassion work in a wonderful way when complimented by each other. He aptly described a man of wisdom as a child in an adult body. He termed Corruption, Communism and Communalism (3Cs) as the greatest vices of the present day world. He also added that one who is anti-all is in the end anti-himself. He also explicitly expressed his profound respect for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and stated that he is totally against violence, and that only mutual understanding helps in the long run. He also believes that wisdom and compassion have no border and that ‘wisdom’ is the most feared weapon because it has strength and power. He referred to the monasteries as a breeding ground for ‘Soldiers of Spirituality’, benefiting the entire surrounding population by setting an exemplary life full of long term happiness through genuine spiritual practices and social welfare activities.

In between talks, we had the great privilege of having His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama release the Souvenir Booklet to those attending the ceremony and launch Loseling Monastery’s official website, www.loselingmonastery.org. In fact, an official website was necessitated by an ever increasing number of well-wishers and associates of Loseling Monastery, yearning to know about the Monastery’s past and present. So, this website acts as a catalyst in enhancing our increasing connection and understanding of each other. As a token of gratitude, Loseling Monastery also humbly presented Souvenirs to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and other Eminent Dignitary Guests for their kind support in making this event a Major success.

The Drepung Loseling Monastery, in acknowledgment for their outstanding contribution to the successful completion of the New Temple, presented, as a token of gratitude, some souvenirs to the members of the Construction Committee (for their more than 3 years of selfless hard work in supervising the construction), Mfar Construction Company of Bangalore for their exemplary quality construction and Geshe Lobsang Tenzin and his two close colleagues Ms Irene Syu-Lai Lee and Yeshi Phelgye for their over two decades of selfless unparalleled service to the monastery in general and, in particular, towards the successful completion of this grand New Temple. It is worth mentioning here that Geshe Lobsang Tenzin, PhD and Alumnus of Loseling Monastery is the Director of Drepung Loseling Center at Atlanta, Geogia, U.S.A. and has been the core nucleus of Drepung Loseling Monastery’s Fund Raiser to provide a stable foundation for the smooth running of the monastery for a long period of time. In fact, the Annual Mystic Arts of Tibet US Tour by our monastery, which propagates World Peace and Tibetan Culture, besides raising funds for the monastery, is his noble brainchild still blossoming under his perennial care for well over two decades.

As always, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, in his profound insightful address, referred to Drepung Loseling Monastery as a great seat of Advanced Buddhist Studies boasting a glorious history of several hundred years and producing a great many prominent outstanding Scholar-Saints. He graciously complimented the successful completion of the New Temple and reminded the public of the serious congestion problem which compelled Loseling Monastery to strive for a more spacious hall, where all the monks could sit together, and he thanked all those who had made this possible. Having said so, he clearly stressed the importance of genuine efforts for the study and practice of Dharma for which it is meant.

H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama expressed his deep appreciation to H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for being not just a spiritual Guru sitting on a throne but indulging greatly in practical social welfare services to the needy common mass. He also paid his warm regards to H.E. Dorjee Khandu, for attending the event from far Arunachal Pradesh and he recollected the sad memory of stepping into India in 1959 through Tawang Region located in H.E. Dorjee Khandu’s home state. Referring to Shri R.V. Deshpande and all those associated with the Tibetans here, he extended his gratitude for the support and hope for the continuation of the same.

As a grand climax to this momentous occasion, H.E. T.G. Rinpoche, on behalf of the entire Drepung Loseling Monastery, extended his warm gratitude to all those benefactors responsible for the Monastery’s taste of such a grand Momentous Occasion, especially to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama for all his great unparalleled support and guidance.

After the Great Conclusion of the formal Inauguration Ceremony, the Drepung Loseling Monastery offered a grand Luncheon to all of the participants of the event, estimated at 20,000 guests, coming from some twenty seven countries including Mainland China, Taiwan, Malayasia, the USA, Italy and many other European countries. From South Africa to Chile all seven continents were well represented. Due to the sheer number of the participants, the luncheons were served at many spacious venues.

Drepung Loseling Monastery has been deeply honored to have received the Blessings and Teachings of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and to celebrate this Grand Occasion of the Inauguration Ceremony of the Drepung Loseling New Temple. We express our deep gratitude to all our well-wishing supporters from around the world for being the backbone of this successful and joyful occasion and to all those joining Drepung Loseling Monastery in celebrating this great occasion.