Bodhgaya Visit

On 29 December 2019, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche departed Bangalore and although scheduled to fly via Varanasi, had to fly via Patna, due to route cancellation for the flight. From Patna, His Eminence arrived in the evening at Bodhgaya, where the officials of Drepung Loseling Tulku Association accorded a revered welcome and invited to the sojourn place Seven Inn, located near the Kalachakra Ground.

In the afternoon of 31 December 2019, His Eminence Rinpoche, accompanied by the reincarnate lamas of Drepung Loseling Monastery, visited the main Great Enlightenment Temple, Bodhgaya, and said prayers before the Buddha image.

On 1 January 2020, His Eminence Rinpoche gave time for devotees from various countries seeking audience. In the morning of the next day, His Eminence Rinpoche attended His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teaching on The Thirty-Seven Practices of the Victorious Ones’ Scions, bodhisattvas’ thirty-seven practices. In the afternoon, His Eminence Rinpoche gave audience time for devotees from China, South Korea and others.

In the evening, at the request of Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche commenced commentarial teachings on the textual wordings of the Solitary Hero Vajrabhérava’s extensive achieving method, at Seven Inn, Bodhgaya.

In the morning of 3 January 2020, His Eminence Rinpoche attended bestowal of Avalokiteśvara empowerment by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

In the afternoon, His Eminence Rinpoche gave time for devotees from various countries seeking audience. In the evening, His Eminence continued commentarial teachings to Drepung Loseling reincarnate lamas, on the textual wordings of the Solitary Hero Vajrabhérava’s extensive achieving method.

In the morning of 4 January 2020, His Eminence Rinpoche attended His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s bestowal of empowerments and teachings on Mañjuśrī Cycle of Teachings, continuation from the previous year

In the evening, His Eminence Rinpoche gave time for devotees from the United States and Nepal seeking audience. Thereafter, His Eminence continued the teachings to Drepung Loseling reincarnate lamas, on the Solitary Hero Vajrabhérava’s extensive achieving method.

In the morning of 5 January 2020, His Eminence Rinpoche attended the continuation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s bestowal of empowerments and teachings Mañjuśrī Cycle of Teachings.

In the evening, His Eminence Rinpoche gave time for devotees from various countries seeking audience. In the evening, on the occasion of specially related date of the Tibetan calendar’s 10^th day of the 11^th month, His Eminence Rinpoche and Dragyap Togden Rinpoche attended the extensive tsog-multitude offering prayers related with Cakrasaṁvara, organised by Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, and convened at Seven Inn, Bodhgaya.

In the morning of 6 January 2020, His Eminence Rinpoche attended the continuation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s bestowal of empowerments and teachings Mañjuśrī Cycle of Teachings.

Thereafter, at the request of Drepung Loseling Monastery, His Eminence Rinpoche and His Eminence Dragyab Togden Rinpoche had lunch at Bodhgaya branch of Drepung Loseling Monastery. In the afternoon, His Eminence Rinpoche gave time for devotees from various countries seeking audience.

In the evening, His Eminence Rinpoche continued the teachings to Drepung Loseling reincarnate lamas, on the Solitary Hero Vajrabhérava’s extensive achieving method.

In the morning of 7 January 2020, His Eminence Rinpoche attended the Tenshuk ceremony of requesting to kindly live long offered to Kyabjey Kirti Rinpoche, by Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, and convened in Mahabodhi Hall, Bodhgaya.

At the request of Kirti Monastery, His Eminence Rinpoche, along with the reincarnate lamas of Drepung Loseling, had lunch hosted by Kirti Monastery. In the afternoon, His Eminence Rinpoche gave time for devotees from various places seeking audience.

In the morning of 8 January 2020, organised by Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, along with His Eminence Dragyab Togden Rinpoche and the reincarnate lamas of the association, visited Sukhīguhā (The Blissful Interior), in the hill range of Rajghir, the site of The First Council of Compiling Buddha’s Words. The congregation said prayers at the site and His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a talk about the site.

In the afternoon of 9 January 2020, organised by Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, along with His Eminence Dragyab Togden Rinpoche and the reincarnate lamas of the association, visited the historically holy place Gayāsirṣa (these days locally known as Brahmayonī), near Gaya city. As the day was the anniversary day of Panchen Sonam Drakpa’s parinirvana, the congregation said special prayers, such as, The Sun Opening The Lotus Grove and others. His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a talk about the holy place.

In the morning of 10 January 2020, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche visited Shri Darika Sundarani, at Samanbava Ashram near Bodhgaya’s main Temple. Shri Darika Sundarani is a 97-years old follower of Gandhi.

In the afternoon, His Eminence Rinpoche gave time for devotees from various countries seeking audience.

In the afternoon of 11 January 2020, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche called upon His Eminence Gadhen Trisur Rinpoche. Thereafter, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche visited His Eminence Zopa Rinpoche at Root Institute.

In the morning of 12 January 2020, prior to departing Bodhgaya His Eminence Rinpoche paid a visit to the Mahabodhi Temple. In the afternoon, His Eminence departed Gaya and arrived in the evening in Delhi.

In the morning of 13 January 2020, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche attended a meeting at the office of AyurGyan Nyas, New Delhi. In the evening, His Eminence Rinpoche gave time for some dignitaries seeking audience.

In the afternoon of 14 January 2020, His Eminence Rinpoche was scheduled to fly from Delhi, but due to adverse weather it had to be deferred to the following day.

In the morning of 15 January 2020, His Eminence Rinpoche departed Delhi and arrived in Dharamshala.