Benchen News Letter
PDF Pages 25-29
A view of the shedra with the meditation center in the background
Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and Tenga Rinpoche at the shedra
students who entered the college. Although a big event was not
planned because this was not the actual inaugural ceremony, it
somehow became a well-organized celebration and the shrine hall
was filled with participants. Three days before the ceremony, Tenga
Rinpoche led special pujas to dispel obstacles and for the success
of the studies. During the ceremony, V.V. Tenga Rinpoche made
body, speech and mind offerings to H.E. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche
for his long life and for him to turn the wheel of Dharma
for all sentient beings. Tenga Rinpoche gave Manjushri
statues to all of the students of the shedra with great
wishing prayers for the success of their dharma
studies so that they would be able to help all sentient
beings. The statues were filled with mantras, especially
the collection of Manjushri pills that were blessed with
hundreds of thousands of mantras. The students
received these statues with great joy.
Debating at the shedra
Khenpos and students at the shedra
on welcoming day
Spring course participants gathering for a teaching in the shedra courtyard
in order to educate monks from Benchen as well as from other
monasteries. In 2004, the Rinpoches decided to have the shedra in Pharping because it is a holy
place and because it is very close to the Benchen Clear Light Meditation
Center. This shedra came into reality through the dharma
activities and great efforts of the Abbot of Benchen Monastery,
H.E. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche.
Tenga Rinpoche making long-life
offering to Sangye Nyenpa
Rinpoche at the shedra
Buddha statue under construction
Rinpoche emphasized how important it is to have a
shedra in order to provide a scholastic forum for the
teachings of Buddha Dharma. He urged all the
students to apply themselves diligently so that through
their understanding the would be able to help themselves
as well as others in the future. Also during the
ceremony Rinpoche read out the rules and regulations to
be followed which were prepared by the khempos of the
shedra. Rinpoche thanked all the people who were involved in this
project, and presented them with kadaks and gifts.
To the delight of the Rinpoches, students and participants, a short
debate, as is traditionally done during such ceremonies, was held
at the conclusion. This was followed by the offering of gifts and
kadaks to the khempos and students by all of the well-wishers.
At the time of the welcoming ceremony the wall paintings in the
lhakang of the shedra had not yet been completed, but the
Rinpoches decided that time was so precious it was essential to
start the classes as soon as possible. The actual inaugural
ceremony will be held in the future.
Students listening to Rinpoche
Shedra students doing homework
Rinpoche giving instructions to the shedra students
Rinpoche, Khenpos and monks in the shedra courtyard
