Benchen News Letter
PDF Pages 37-41
the entire education in the shedra system and also for
teaching philosophy in the monasteries.
After completing his nine years of shedra training at
Rumtek’s Nalanda Institute, Lama Karma Gyatso made two
3-year retreats, the first at Pulahari, the main seat of H.E.
Jamgon Rinpoche in Nepal and the second at our Benchen
Clear Light Meditation Center. He has since been
acting as the assistant drubpon, and is responsible for assisting
our Rinpoches at both the retreat center and the shedra.
Khenpo Sonam Gyurme was a monk at Benchen Monastery
from an early age. When he was 25, Our Rinpoches sent
him to the Dzongsar shedra in Bir, India, where he studied for
nine years. During his time there, he was acting as
kyorpon, which is an assistant to the khenpos.
We are happy to introduce our new khenpo, Chime Dorje, who
has been a monk at Benchen Monastery since he was very
young. He got permission to study commentaries and
philosophy in Sera Monastery.
Drubpon Lama Karma Gyatso
Khenpo Sonam Gyurme
pilgrimage to Pharping. Rinpoche said that it would be auspicious
to give a short teaching at the Benchen shedra, and this took place
in the shedra’s courtyard. Nearby, within the compound of the retreat
center, some of the participants have sponsored the building
of retreat huts, and their construction will be completed quite soon.
Rinpoche made the condition that these places would be made
available to other disciples of our Rinpoches when they are not
occupied by the actual sponsors. Rinpoche indicated that these
places are only for dharma practice.
After the course Rinpoche left for Dharmasala as His Holiness
Karmapa wanted Rinpoche to offer his service to His Holiness’s
education.
Khadak offerings to our new Khenpo
studied at Nalanda Institute in Rumtek, Sikkim for a few more years.
Later, he joined the Sherab Ling shedra, and after he completed
his studies there, H.E. Tai Situ
Rinpoche appointed him to the position of khenpo for Benchen
Monastery. Both our Rinpoches were happy to appoint him
officially, and they each presented him with a khadak on
the occasion of his appointment. The timing was
especially auspicious as the Benchen shedra in Pharping
was just opening, so Chime Dorje was able to take up his
new position right away at our new shedra.
The present Vajracharya (dorje lobpon) Karma Tsultrim
Rapten, was appointed to this position by the Rinpoches in
2004. He is responsible for all small as well as major intensive
practices (drubpas) of all the Anutara Yoga Tantras, as well
as the elaborated intensive practices (drubchens) like Vajra
Kilaya, Guru Rinpoche, and the annual Mahakala. He was in
the first three-year retreat and came out in 2002.
Khenpo Chime Dorje
Dorje Lobpon Lama Karma Tsultrim Rapten
 Chötrimpa Lama Sherab Gyatso |
Lama Sherab Gyatso entered the three-year retreat in 2002 and completed it in 2005. In 2006 he was appointed the dharma discipliner (chötrimpa). He is responsible for maintaining the rules and regulations of the monastery. In the monastic community, this position is considered to be one of the most important. |
(drubpas and drupchens). Because they applied themselves
diligently to their education, they were promoted to this position
and are able to assist the younger monks with their education.
Each umze is responsible not only for particular pujas, but also for
the whole process involved in making the sand mandalas for those
pujas.
 Umze Gyurme Phuntsok |
Umze Gyurme Phuntsok has been acting as chanting master since 1996 and is responsible for leading the Gyalwa Gyatsho, Dorje Drolo, and 4-armed Mahakala drubpas. |
 Umze Thupten Chöphel |
Umze Thupten Chöphel received his appointment in 1996. He leads the monlam puja with the monks who have remained at the monastery during the new year holiday. He is also responsible for the Chakrasamvara drubpa. |
 Umze Tashi Rapten |
Umze Tashi Rapten was appointed chanting master in 1999. Since then, he has been responsible for leading the drubpas of White Tara, Tseringma (the protector of Milarepa), and drupchens like Vajra Kilaya and Guru Rinpoche. |
 Umze Samten Chöphel |
Umze Samten Chöphel was appointed chanting master in 1999. He is responsible for leading the Vajra Yogini, 9-deity Hevajra and Singhamukha (Shingkyong) drubpas. |
 Umze Sonam Wangdak |
Umze Sonam Wangdak leads the drubpas of Kalachakra, the Chöd practice, Yonten Kunjung, and Rain of Wisdom (Kagyu Gurtsho), as well as the purification ritual, Kunrik. |
 Umze Lama Lodro Gyatso |
Umze Lama Lodro Gyatso finished the three-year retreat with the second batch in 2005. In 2006 he was appointed as one of the umzes and is responsible for doing the Gur Rig Dü drubpa and the annual great Mahakala puja |
for the different drubpas and drupchens and also for teaching the
other monks how to make them. The shrine master also attends
the altar throughout each of the pujas.
 Chodpon Lama Gelek Paljor |
Lama Gelek Paljor was appointed shrine master in 1993. He went into the 3-year retreat in 2002 and completed it in 2005, after which he was asked by the Rinpoches to continue as shrine master. |
 Chödpon Jamyang Tenphel |
Chödpon Jamyang Tenphel was enrolled in Benchen Monastery in 1996 and progressed very well with his education. He was appointed shrine master in 2005. |
 Geyok Lama Karma Migyur Sonam |
The Assistant of Virtues (geyok), Lama Karma Migyur Sonam, was enrolled in the monastery in 1997, and in 2002 he entered the 3-year retreat. Since completing his retreat in 2005, he has been acting as the geyok, the assistant to the discipliner. |
