Enlightening deeds in New Delhi, Bylakuppe, Bangalore, Varanasi, Bodhgaya and Chennai

(A summary news)

In the second week of December 2017 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche attended the three-day (7 – 9 December 2018) International Conference on History of Architecture, convened at Bikaner House, New Delhi. At the inaugural session on the first day of the conference His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche delivered the keynote address. Renowned architects from many countries attended the conference.

Thereafter, His Eminence Prof.Samdhong Rinpoche attended a two-day (10 – 11 December 2017) General Assembly Meeting of International Buddhist Confederation, and gave a guidance speech.

On 12 December 2017 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche departed Delhi, and via Bangalore arrived at Sera Je Lawa Khangtsen, Bylakuppe. The following day His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for people coming for audience.

On 14 December 2017 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche inaugurated the newly built Congregation Vihara-Temple of Lawa Khangtsen, Sera Je, and gave a speech. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche gave an advisory talk to some 50 persons who sought audience, followed by a guidance talk for Tibetan youths who had gathered for Empowering the Vision workshop.

From 15 December 2017 till 17 December 2017, for the three days, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave, in the newly built vihara (temple) of  Lawa Khangtsen, Sera Je,  commentarial teachings on the text In Praise [of the Buddha] for Teaching Dependent-Arising, written by Jey Tsongkhapa. In the mornings, His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those seeking audience.

At midday of 18 December 2017 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche went to welcome His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the afternoon gave, at Sera Je Secondary School, a guidance talk on the requested theme of “Introduction to the thoughts of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s guidance on education.” Many students from various schools in the area also attended the guidance talk.

In the afternoon of 19 December 2017, at a session in the hall of Sera Je Secondary School, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche answered questions, from the participants, on the earlier theme of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s guidance on education.

In the morning of 21 December 2017 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche received Hayagriva empowerment from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, bestowed at the dialectical debate courtyard of Sera Je Monastery. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those seeking audience.

In the morning of 21 December 2017 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche attended the inauguration, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, of the new Dialectical Debate Precinct of Sera Mey Monastery, and the teaching thereafter by His Holiness on In Praise [of the Buddha] for Teaching Dependent-Arising. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those seeking audience.

In the morning of 12 December 2017 His Eminence Rinpoche gave a guidance speech on Secular Ethics, the ways of promoting it, at the specially convened two-day workshop for Tibetan teachers, of the Tibetan schools of the southern zone, organised jointly by the Department of Education, Central Tibetan Administration, and Sera Je Secondary School. Convened in the hall of Sera Je Secondary School, Bylakupee, some 250 Tibetan teachers attended the workshop.

In the morning of 23 December 2017, as a part of the programmes of the workshop for Tibetan teachers, His Eminence Prof.Samdhong Rinpoche answered the major questions on Secular Ethics compiled from the teachers. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche departed Sera Je LawaKhangtsen and arrived at Krishnamurti Foundation of India, Bangalore.

On 24 December 2017 His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Krishnamurti Foundation of India seeking audience.

In the morning of 25 December 2017 His Eminence Rinpoche departed Krishnamurti Foundation of India, and then via Delhi, arrived at Bodhgaya in the evening.

In the afternoon of 26 December 2017 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche spared time for those seeking audience. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche presided over as the Vajra Teacher, at the Delighting Teachers Multitude Offerings Prayers (Lama ChoepaTsog), at the Bodhi tree, organised by Drepung Loseling Tulku Association. In attendance at the prayer were the reincarnate lamas of Drepung Loseling Monastery.

In the evening of 27 December 2017 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a guidance talk on the requested theme of “The ways of thinking in the present time.” Convened in the hall of Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya, the event was organised by the DrepungLoselingTulku Association.

In the morning of 28 December 2017 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave brief answers each to the questions from the reincarnate lamas, at a session of guidance talk organised in the hall of Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya, by the Drepung Loseling Tulku Association; thereafter, His Eminence Rinpoche gave a talk on the great attributes of the supremely holy place Vajrāsana (Adamantine Seat, modern-day Bodhgaya).

In the morning of 29 December 2017 His Eminence Prof.Samdhong Rinpoche continued, in the hall of Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya, the talk on Bodhgaya, explaining the aspect of the place in relation with Buddha’s deeds. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those seeking audience.

In the morning of 30 December 2017 His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those seeking audience, and in the afternoon departed for Sarnath, and arrived there at the Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies.

In the morning of 1 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche attended, as requested and invited, the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, Varanasi. The Institute and the Institute’s Alumni Association presented His Eminence Rinpoche felicitation awards, in gratitude of the great spearheading leadership of the Institute’s progress. His Holiness the Dalai Lama graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and gave an advisory speech.

In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those seeking audience. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche presided as the Vajra Teacher at the specially organised, by Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, Delighting Teachers Multitude Offerings Prayers (Lama Choepa Tsog) at Dhammek Stupa, Sarnath. The reincarnate lamas of Drepung Loseling Monastery attended the prayer.

In the morning of 2 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a talk to the alumni of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, organised by the alumni association, and convened in Atisha Hall of the Institute. Alumni from 12 countries had converged for the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Institute.

In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for alumni seeking audience. Thereafter His Eminence presided as the Vajra Teacher at the specially organised, by the alumni association, a prayer congregation at Dhammek Stupa, Sarnath, for the welfare of all wandering beings in general, and specifically for the deceased and living members of the Institute. Many alumni members, and teachers and students from the Institute attended the prayer.

In the morning of 3 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche departed Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, and arrived at Bodhgaya.

The following morning, His Eminence Rinpoche continued the lecture, to the reincarnate lamas of DrepungLoseling Monastery, in the hall of Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya, on the theme of the supremely holy place Vajrāsana (Bodhgaya). In the talk His Eminence Rinpoche also touched upon the seven TathāgataCētyas, and other related topics, and answered questions.

In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience.

In the morning of 5 January 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche attended the teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for the Indian Buddhists. Thereafter, in the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience.

In the morning of 6 January 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche attended the continued teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for the Indian Buddhists. In the afternoon His Eminence spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience.

In the morning of 7 January 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche attended the third day of teachings by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for the Indian Buddhists.

In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche gave a guidance talk, on Buddhism, to the students of Boudha Peace School, Nepal. Convened in the hall of Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya, the guidance talk was attended by the school’s Director, teachers and students, doctors, political leaders, business persons, and others, comprising of over a hundred persons.

In the morning of 8 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a guidance talk, to reincarnate lamas, on a variety of topics in general, and on thought training in particular, and answered questions. Organised by Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, the guidance talk was convened in the hall of Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya. In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience.

In the morning of 9 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche attended the seeing off of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Pune, from Bodhgaya. In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience, and at the request of some groups seeking audience His Eminence Rinpoche gave teachings and advisory talks.

In the morning of 11 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche attended a specially convened extensive prayer congregation, at the Mahabodhi Stupa Temple, Bodhgaya, of Drepung Loseling Tulku Association. His Eminences Gadhen Trisur KyabjeyRizong Rinpoche, Kyabjey Ling Chogtrul Rinpoche, Kyabjey Dakyab Togdan Rinpoche, and the reincarnate lamas of Drepung Loseling attended the prayer congregation.

The same morning, thereafter His Eminence Rinpoche left for Rajgir. In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche participated in the inaugural session of “Dharma Dhamma Conference” organised by Nalanda University. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche gave a KushokBakula Rinpoche memorial lecture organised by India Foundation and Nalanda University.

In the morning of 12 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche departed Nalanda University, and visited—along with His Eminence Kyabjey Dragyab Togdan Rinpoche and reincarnate lamas of Drepung Loseling Monastery—the Vulture Heap Hill, (Gradhakuta) Rajgir, for pilgrimage, and prayed at the holy site, followed by a visit to The Bamboo Grove (Venuvana), Byakalanda, within Rajghir. At the request of the reincarnate lamas, who had organised the visit of the holy sites, His Eminence Rinpoche gave an introductory narrative on Rajgir and The Bamboo Grove kalandaka, and then in the evening a visit to Nalanda sites, and said prayers there; His Eminence Rinpoche gave an introductory narrative on Nalanda, as well, and answered questions. Thereafter His Eminence Rinpoche arrived back at Bodhgaya.

In the morning of 13 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche attended a meeting, with His Holiness the Dalai Lama (presiding), of His Eminences Gadhan Tri Rinpoche, Sharpa and Jangtse Choejey Rinpoches, the honourable Abbots of the monastic seats, and others. The event was organised by International Geluk Foundation.

In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience, and at the request of some of the groups, gave teachings and advisory talks. In the evening, at the request of Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, His Eminence Rinpoche gave a talk, at the Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya, on the reasonings concordant to the modern times for establishing the existence of past and future lives; the differences in view between Svatantrika and Prasangika tenets, identifying the refutation object (the object to be refuted as existing inherently), the validity of nominal existence of phenomena, and integrating these into a person’s stages of practice; the ways of doing social service non-politically by a reincarnate lama (reincarnate teacher), and how to practise purely the teachings; and other related topics.

In the morning of 14 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche attended His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teaching on Elucidation on Enlightenment Mind and The Thirty-Seven [Bodhisattva] Practices. In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience, and at the request of some groups gave teachings and advisory talks as well.

In the morning of 15 January 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche attended His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s continued teaching on Elucidation on Enlightenment Mind and The Thirty-Seven [Bodhisattva] Practices. In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience, and at the request of some groups gave teachings and advisory talks as well. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche gave a further detailed talk, at the request of the reincarnate lamas, on the theme of the ways of doing social service non-politically by a reincarnate lama (reincarnate teacher), and how to practise purely the teachings. Organised by Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, the talk was convened in the hall of Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya.

In the morning of 16 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche attended His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s bestowal of Avalokiteśvara empowerment, and offering of Request to Kindly Live Long to His Holiness. In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche attended a meeting of Gadhan Phodang Office. Thereafter, His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience, and at the request of some groups gave teachings and advisory talks as well. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche gave, in the hall of Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya, a talk on a variety of topics—whether or not there is the need of the tulku system, the system of recognising reincarnate teachers, and other topics—at the request of Drepung Loseling Tulku Association. His Eminence Rinpoche extensively answered questions at the end as well.

In the morning of 17 January 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche attended a specially convened extensive prayer congregation, in gratitude to the successive His Holiness the Dalai Lamas, presided by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, at the Mahabodhi Stupa Temple, Bodhgaya. In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience, and at the request of some groups gave teachings and advisory talks as well. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche gave a further detailed talk on the theme of the ways of doing social service non-politically by a reincarnate lama (reincarnate teacher), and how to practise purely the teachings; His Eminence Rinpoche extensively answered questions at the end as well. Organised by Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, the talk was convened in the hall of Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya.

In the morning of 18 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche received from His Holiness the Dalai Lama the preparatory rites of Vajrabhērava empowerment. In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience, and the request of some groups gave them teachings and advisory talks as well. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche gave a detailed talk, on the theme, the three/four commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Organised by Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, the talk was convened in the hall of Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya.

The following morning His Eminence Rinpoche received from His Holiness the Dalai Lama the actual empowerment of the thirteen-deity Vajrabhērava. In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience, and at the request of some groups gave advisory talks as well. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche participated in the discussion on drafting of Rules of the Drepung Loseling Tulku Association, and gave opinions beneficial for a book on the supremely holy place Vajrāsana (Bodhgaya); the event was requested and organised by the association.

On 20 January 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience, and at the request of some groups gave teachings and advisory talks as well.

In the morning of 21 January 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche received from His Holiness the Dalai Lama the continuation of the actual empowerment of Vajrabhērava. In the afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche spared time for those from Tibet and other countries seeking audience, and at the request of some groups gave teachings and advisory talks as well. Thereafter, His Eminence Rinpoche attended a meeting of Gadhan Phodang Office. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche gave, in the hall of Hotel Seven Inn, Bodhgaya, a talk on the theme of the present situation of the world, the situation of Tibet, the situation of Buddhism, and other related topics. It was organised by Drepung Loseling Tulku Association.

On 22 January 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche departed Bodhgaya, and via Kolkata arrived in Chennai.

From 13 till 23 January 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche participated in a retreat organised by Maitrim Poshas Trust, and gave a guidance talk.

In the morning of 26 January 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche gave a talk on the theme of “The Place of Emotions in Education from the Krishnamurti Perspective,” organised by Education Forum, Krishnamurit Foundation of India.

In the mornings of 27 and 28 January 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche attended a meeting of the board of trust, of Krishnamurti Foundation. In the evening His Eminence Rinpoche gave a talk at Pathshaala School, Chennai.

In the morning of 29 January 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche departed Chennai, and via Delhi arrived in Dharamshala.