His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama's birthday celebration at Drepung Gomang Monastery began in the morning with extensive prayers for the long life of His Holiness and the swift recovery from the knee surgery. Followed by tree planting by His Eminence Khen Rinpoche, senior tulkus and senior monks at the field. Then at the ground floor of the prayer hall, the cake-cutting ceremony began with prayers for His Holiness, followed by a speech by His Eminence Khen Rinpoche and the chief administrator marking the auspicious occasion. Senior Buxar elder monks were then felicitated for their dedication and great contribution to the existence of this Sangha in exile in the initial years. The ceremony concluded with a special veg luncheon for all the monks of the monastery.
On 23rd June, the new discipline Head (Gegu) Geshe Kunchok Gyamtso took charge with his two monk assistants (chapre) who now will be responsible for the overall discipline of the monastery for a year term. The discipline head is elected by the monks. Geshe Kunchok Gyamtso has served as the director of the Administrative office and Planning commission. The handing over ceremony was attended by the directors of Administration with offering of traditional scarf offering and serving of sweet rice and butter tea to mark this occasion.
His Eminence Khen Rinpoche Geshe Jigme Gyatso attended the 100th anniversary of the Kamba Lama Institute on 13-14 June in Tuva. On way to Tuva, His Eminence was received at Moscow Airport by Natasha, the head o our Moscow center. His Eminence Khen Rinpoche gave a series of teachings at the monasteries besides attending conferences, meetings and seminars. 17th June 2024, On Visit to Datsan Gunzehoiney, St. Petersburg, His Eminence Drepung Gomang Khen Rinpoche Geshe Jigme Gyatso gave teaching to the public, the abbot of Datsan Gunzehoiney Ven. Badmaev Buda Balzhievich expressed words of gratitude to His Eminence Abbot for the teaching and requested His Eminence to visit again St. Petersburg for more teachings.
On 19th June, at the request of Drepung Gomang Center, His Eminence Abbot gave teaching at the main hall of Amche Dr. Jigme Gyatso’s hospital. On 20th June, after the conclusion of teachings, His Eminence Khen Rinpoche conveyed his thank you to Amche Dr. Jigme Gyatso la, Drepung Gomang Center’s President Nataliya, Nordon la and Geshe Tenpa Dhondup for the wonderful and continuous support to this monastery for many years.
Gonpo Drupsul (The annual three-day Mahakala Puja):-The annual ritual of dispelling obstacles/hindrances was performed at Drepung Gomang Monastery for the success of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's medical treatment for His Knees as He travelled to America. Monks performed the ritual of counting the mantras of Medicine Buddha in conjunction with the Menla Chokdéma and the ritual of counting the mantras of Tārā in conjunction with the Four-Part Maṇḍala Ritual. This intensive prayer ritual was done for three days i.e., 18th -20th June 2024.
Six-Armed Mahakala (Gonpo Chakdug) is the official protector deity of Drepung Gomang Monastery.
Thuk Choera, this special event is held only at Drepung Gomang monastery and it is a popular saying that when gomang's thuk choera starts, then it usually rains or starts of monsoon. Thuk Choera is an interclass debate congregation where different monastic classes debate against each other in the debate courtyard. Monk students in order to prepare or sharpen their debate or to make it difficult for the opponent class, go far away from the monastery compound in the fields with great secrecy to organise the debate. This event was held annually on the eighteenth day of the fourth month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar.
The holy 15th day, (Buddha Purnima) of Saka Dawa month was observed here with great devotion by all Buddhists. The Grand Prayer ceremony was held at the Prayer Hall temple and attended by all the monks of the monastery. Saka Dawa commemorates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and Maha parinirvana. The Sangha members dedicate all their pujas with great devotion to the good health, and long life of His Holiness the Great XIVth Dalai Lama.
Drepung Gomang School under Dre-Gomang Buddhist Cultural Association conducted their annual exam for the school students at the end of April 2024. His Eminence Khen Rinpoche, Discipline Head, chant master, administrator, members of DGBCA, Principal and all school faculty supervised the exam that consisted of written tests, memorization tests, debate tests and calligraphy tests.