Teachings and benevolent deeds in Mon region, Arunachal Pradesh

On 9 June 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche arrived in Guwahati, from Dharamshala. On 10 June His Eminence Rinpoche left Guwahati and with stopover at Gyuto Monastery, Tenzingang, arrived at Gontse Gaden Rabgyeling Monastery, Bomdila.

On 11 June 2018, His Eminence Rinpoche gave time for some people for personal audience.

From 12 June 2018 till 16 June 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave commentarial teachings on Acharya Kamashila’s text, The Stages of Meditation—The Beginning, Middle and End. At the start of each day’s sessions His Eminence Rinpoche explained, as the preliminary introductory teachings, the great attributes of the author of the text; Hvashang’s view, the way of refuting that; the theme of The Stages of Meditation; details on meditation; and so forth.

And, through instructions on the difficulty of acquiring a precious human rebirth, death-impermanence, and so forth, His Eminence Rinpoche advised the need to listen to the sublime teachings with a motive and an appropriate conduct as instructed in The Stages of the Path to Enlightenment teachings.

During the five days commentarial teachings on The Stages of Meditation His Eminence Rinpoche explained the text and its purports in great details, along with the transmission-blessing of the lineage. In conclusion His Eminence Rinpoche gave extensive guidance advice to the monastic residents and the public in general as regards what to adopt/practise and what to eschew, spiritually.

Prior to the final session of the teachings on 16 June 2018 Gontse Gaden Rabgyeling Monastery, Bomdila, Mon, offered a formal request to His Eminence Rinpoche to kindly live long.

In the morning of 17 June 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche departed Gontse Gaden Rabgyeling Monastery, and via Sela pass, arrived, in the afternoon, at Thupten Choeling Girls’ School, Lhou. His Eminence Rinpoche performed consecration of the newly built temple and formally inaugurated the same. The students of the school chanted melodiously the prayer, The Words of Truth, and presented a dialectical debate.

The same afternoon His Eminence Rinpoche laid the foundation stone of Rikya Buddhist Institute, Lhou; a meritorious gratitude ritual of Delighting Teacher (Lama Choepa) was offered, and His Eminence Rinpoche gave a talk. A tree was planted on the occasion as well.

At the request of the nearby nunnery Jangchub Choeling His Eminence Rinpoche bestowed the blessing transmissions of The Praise to the Twenty-one Taras and of The Eight-verse Thought Training. Also, His Eminence Rinpoche consecrated the old Prayer Hall, following which His Eminence Rinpoche headed to Tawang, arriving there in the evening, at Gadhen Namgyal Lhatse Monastery.

On 18 June 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave time for some people seeking personal audience.

From 19 to 21 June 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche gave commentarial teachings on the teacher-integration (Guru yoga practice) of Gadhen Lhagyama (Hundreds of Deities of Joyful Realm); at the concluding session His Eminence Rinpoche gave guidance advice to the monastic residents and general public. There was a translation into Mon language organised at these teachings.

On 21 June 2018, prior to the day’s teachings, Gaden Namgyal Lhatse Monastery, Tawang, offered a formal request—through The Sixteen Sthaviras Rites—to His Eminence Rinpoche to kindly live long.

On 22 June 2018, at the request of Gaden Namgyal Lhatse Monastery, Tawang, His Eminence Rinpoche bestowed a Longevity empowerment of Jey Tsezinma (Longevity-sustaining Jey [Tsongkhapa]).

In the evening, at the request jointly by Tawang District Administration and Tawang Monpa Employees’ Society, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a talk on the theme of “Happiness and Stress-free Life,” at Kalawangpo Convention Hall, Tawang. His Eminence Rinpoche answered questions as well at the end. A large audience that attended the talk comprised of Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of the state government, judges, Deputy Commissioner of Tawang, political leaders, Superintendent of Police, teachers, students and others.

In the morning of 23 June 2018 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche departed Gaden Namgyal Lhatse Monastery, Tawang, and arrived, at noon, at Thupsung Dhargyeling Monastery, Dirang.

In the morning of 24 June 2018, at the request of Thupsung Dhargyeling Monastery, Dirang, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave an advisory talk to the ordained and general public of the area; His Eminence Rinpoche also gave blessing transmission of Manjushri praise Your Intellect; and answered questions as well. Army leaders stationed in the area, school principals, teachers, students and members of public attended them.

At noon His Eminence Rinpoche departed Dirang and arrived in Guwahati.

On 25 June 2018 His Eminence Rinpoche headed to Delhi, and on the following day arrived in Dharamshala.