Bodhgaya Visits
On the morning of 31 December 2016, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche arrived at Bodhgaya, via Delhi and Patna. On the following day His Eminence Rinpoche attended the “Fostering of the Disciples” part of the Kalachakra Empowerment by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche formally opened the Exhibition on Milarepa, at Mahayana Hotel, organised by Ven. Dawa Dhondup, of Drikung Kagyu Om Dharma Centre, Singapore.
After the commentary by Ven. Dhondup, on each of the displays, and at his request, His Eminence Prof.Samdhong Rinpoche gave a brief talk related with Milarepa and the Exhibition. The dignitaries who attended the event comprised of AmalaJeytsun Pema, Ven. Karma Gelek Yutok (the Honourable Minister for Religious and Cultural Affairs, CTA), Mr. Losang Jinpa (Secretary, GadhenPhodang Office), Mr. Tseten Samdup (Secretary, Gadhen Phodang Office), the Ven. Medium of Nechung, Mr. Tenpa Tsering (the Honourable Former Minister), and others.
On the morning of 3 January 2017, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche attended a meeting of Gadhen Phodang Office, following which His Eminence Rinpoche gave audience time for some groups of pilgrims to the Kalachakra Empowerment, from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other countries who came to see His Eminence Rinpoche.
On 5 January 2017, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave an important speech, at the Tibetan Temple, Bodhgaya, at the gathering of the Honourable Abbots of the three major monasteries, Tashi Lhunpo, Rato, the Honourable Minister for Religious and Cultural Affairs, the Honourable Minister and Secretary of the Department of Security, the Secretary of Gadhen Phodang Office.
In the afternoon of 6 January 2017,there took place, on the Kalachakra Grounds, Bodhgaya, an Inter-Faith Meet, participated by the representatives of various religions who had earlier participated in Patna city the 350th Birth Anniversary of Guru Govind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikh faith. After a speech each by the representatives, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a talk, which was translated into Hindi by His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche.
From 5 January 2017 till 8 January 2107, His Eminence Rinpoche attended the preliminary teachings—on The Second Stage of Meditation, and Entry into Bodhisattva Practices—by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
On 9 January 2017, His Eminence Rinpoche attended a meeting of Gadhen Phodang Office, as regards The Dalai Lama Trust, the United States.
In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche gave audience to a group of pilgrims from Australia and Monpa pilgrims from Bomdila.
Thereafter, His Eminence Rinpoche gave a guidance talk, and answered questions, related with the amendments of the Rules, at the Special Meet of the Executive Committee of the International Gelug Association, convened at Mahayana Hotel, Bodhgaya. In attendance at the Meet were His Eminence Gadhen Tri Rinpoche, His Eminences Sharpa Choejey and Jangtse Choejey, the Honourable Abbots/Abbot-Representatives of 11 monasteries.
Subsequent to that, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave audience to Chinese pilgrims from China and Taiwan, and pilgrims from other places.
From 10 January 2017 till 13 January 2017, His Eminence Rinpoche attended the Kalachakra Empowerment bestowed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
In the evening of 10 January 2017, His Eminence Rinpoche attended the gathering of Loseling Tulku Association, at Kirti Guest House, Bodhgaya, and gave a brief talk. His Eminence the Gahen Trizur Rizong Rinpoche, His Eminence Kirti Rinpoche, Tsechokling Rinpoche and most of the Lama Tulkus of Loseling attended the gathering.
On the morning of 12 January 2017, His Eminence Prof.Samdhong Rinpoche met the renowned Gandhi follower Dwarika Sundarani, at Samanabaya Centre, Bodhgaya, established by Acharya Vinoba Bhave. His Eminence Rinpoche then paid a holy visit to Mahabodhi Temple and the Buddha Image therein.
In the evening, at a Vietnamese Temple, Bodhgaya, His Eminence Rinpoche gave audience and answered questions from a group of pilgrims from Vietnam and Thailand, who had come to receive the Kalachakra Empowerment. His Eminence Rinpoche also visited an Exhibition by a Buddhist Youth Association.
On the morning of 13 January 2017, and in the afternoon, following the empowerment, His Eminence Rinpoche gave audience to numerous dignitaries.
On the morning of 14 January 2017, His Eminence Rinpoche attended the Permission Blessing of Avalokiteśvara Liberating from All Bad Rebirths; the Long-Life Request Ceremony; and the conclusion of the glorious Kalachakra Empowerment.
In the evening, His Eminence Rinpoche gave an interview to The National Geographic.
On the morning of 15 January 2017, His Eminence headed to Delhi, where on arrival His Eminence gave audience to some dignitaries.
In the afternoon of 16 January 2017, His Eminence Rinpoche arrived at Dharamshala.