Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche at Drepung Loseling Monastery

In early June 2015 Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche attended the meeting of The Advisory Board of The Administration of Drepung Loseling Monastery. His Eminence Rinpoche arrived at Mundgod, southern India, in the evening of June 7, 2015, and the meeting commenced at 8am the following day.

At the start of the meeting, the Honourable Abbot of Loseling Monastery explained the purposes for convening such a meeting, and requested Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche to kindly be the Moderator of all the proceedings at the meeting. Prof. Losang Tenzin Negi, of Emory University, the United States, gave an introduction to the objectives of the meeting.

When drafting anew the Rules and Regulations of the Monastery’s Administration Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave extensive guidance advices, emphaising that the Rules must not be contradictory to Tripitaka (the three baskets-like categories of Buddha’s teachings), in particular they must not be in transgression of Vinaya (Buddha’s monastic guidelines), and should be checked whether or not they become conducive factors for studies—learning, reflection and meditation; likewise, they must not be in transgression of the country’s law, and should not be tainted with wrong livelihood.

Rinpoche then asked the attendees to express their opinions. Many expressed their views as regards the present problems and future visions, taking the session beyond midday.

The attendees included Kyabjey Kirti Rinpoche, Mr Tsering Dhondup (the Honourable Minister of Finance), Prof. Losang Tenzin Negi (of Emory University, the United States), Ven. Lhakdor (Director, LTWA), Ven. Kalsang Dradul (M.P. and Director of Buddhist School of Dialectics, Dharamsala), the Former Abbots of Loseling Monastery, the tutors on major scriptures, Monastery’s Managing Officials, Disciplinarians—all important dignitaries were present.

The Chairperson of the meetings, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, then explained, in the afternoon’s session, that the opinions of the gathered adepts would be kept in mind in drafting a structure of the Administration, and an initial draft would be presented to the meeting in the morning’s session on the following day.

The following day, June 9, 2015, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche began the morning session, presented the draft of The Rules—for an efficient and enduring Administration of the Monastery—and gave an extensive explanation. There followed for the entire day expressing of opinions by the attendees on the draft of the Rules, and intermittently Rinpoche gave clarifications and explanations. At the conclusion, Rinpoche told the meeting that necessary additions would be made from the opinions received on the day and that an extensive draft of the structure of the Administration would be presented on the following day.

In the morning of June 10, 2015, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche presented to the meeting the Draft of the structure of the Administration, in charts, and in the following features, explaining that the general outlines and outer frame were set, while the inner details were yet to be prepared.

1 The Rules in general of the Monastery.

2 Formation of the general congregation of the ordained (Sangha) and the duties.

3 The responsibilities of the Central Management Council, and appointment of the members.

4 The criteria and responsibilities of Chagzod (Managing Officials), advisory directions for carrying of tasks.

5 Advices concerning Preparing and presenting of Budget.

6 The responsibilities of Education Council, and appointment of members.

7 Finalising the qualifications and criteria for General Secretary.

8 Appointment of officials and The Rules concerning officials.

9 Rules on election.

10 To do research and prepare works concerning gradually integrating with the main Monastery the other registered organisations.

Thereafter Rinpoche advised those gathered that opinions could be expressed as regards those, if requiring inclusion in the above list. Many expressed their views and requested clarifications on their doubts, for which Rinpoche gave clarifications and guidance advices, one by one and in great details. Rinpoche then explained that when the Draft of an extensive structure of the Administration is prepared and presented later, there could be further discussions on the Draft. The present meeting was thus concluded.

On June 10, 2015 Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche addressed the entire congregation of Drepung Loseling Monastery. In great details Rinpoche explained the background, purposes, contents, of the initial drafting, during the three-days meeting, of the structure of The Future Administrative Council, for an efficient and enduring Administration.

On June 11, 2015, as invited by Mi-nyak Khamtsen (Mi-nyak College), Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche addressed the ordained congregation of the College. Rinpoche gave guidance advices, explaining the importance of studies, how fortunate it is to have the opportunity to do studies, during the rise of the five degenerations, on the teachings of the Buddha, in its entirety, comprising of the three Vehicles and the four classes of Tantras, and that one must not waste such an opportunity.

After that, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche participated in discussions, at Mi-nyak College, with the students of The University of Arkansas, the United States. Rinpoche answered the various questions from the students, on Non-violence, Ethical education, Methods of guiding children, Culture, and so forth.

Following that, at the request of The Council of Tulkus (Re-emanated Lamas) of Drepung Loseling, Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche met with the bodhisattva-Tulkus, and addressed them, gave guidance advices and answered their questions. In the evening, together with the Tulkus, Rinpoche offered Lama Choepa Tsog Offerings (Multitude Offerings [of Practices] Delighting Teachers).

June 12, 2015

This morning Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche participated in the discussion with the students from Emory University, the United States, in the Conference Hall above the main hall of Drepung Loseling Monastery. The session started with Prof. Losang Tenzin Negi introducing Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche to those gathered, followed by a brief talk by Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche. Thereafter, Rinpoche answered in great details the students’ questions related with the talk: Buddhism and Usage of technological products, Tibet Issue, and so forth.

In the evening Rinpoche left Mundgod, for programmes in Bylakuppe.