His Eminence 104th Gaden Tri Rinpoche Kyabje Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Palsangpo blessed the monastery with teachings at the Debate courtyard of Drepung Gomang Monastery from 3rd August to 9th August 2023. His Eminence gave Oral transmission on “Master Asanga’s root text and its commentary called the Highway for Bodhisattvas by Je Tsongkapa” and Great Commentary on (Maitreya's) "Great Vehicle Treatise on the Sublime Continuum". Teaching was attended by H. E. Abbots of monasteries, lama/tulkus, learned Geshes from monasteries, and all monks. The teaching was live-streamed on the monastery's Facebook and Zoom.
Drepung Gomang Monastery conveys the deepest gratitude to our North American Seat of Drepung Gomang, 'Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion' for the invitation extended and hosting His Eminence Khen Rinpoche Geshe Jigme Gyatso and Chanzoe Geshe Monlam Gyatso during their visit from June 24-July 17.
Our thank you also to all our long-time supporters/benefactors, Gomang Geshe las, monks, former monks, and their families, and friends for the accommodations, offerings, assistance, and for the hospitality extended to H.E. Khen Rinpoche and Chanzoe Monlam la in all the cities they visited.
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On 5th July, at Drepung Gomang Monastery, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 88th birthday was celebrated with deepest prayers in the morning at the prayer hall temple, followed by traditional welcoming of His Holiness Holy photo to the throne, speech by the guests and cultural dance by School children at the new debate courtyard. His Eminence Drepung Khenpo Tripa Geshe Kunchok Paksam was the Chief Guest of the Ceremony, did the honor of cutting the birthday cake before monks distributed it to the other guests. This ceremony was also attended by Tibetan Settlement officer Kungo Lhakpa Dolma, H.E. Khensur Geshe Lobsang Gyaltsen, H.E. Loseling Khen Rinpoche, H.EGaden Jangtse Khen Rinpoche, representatives of all the monasteries, camp leaders, Government and Non-Government organization besides monks of the monasteries. The special invitees for the occasion were Hindu Spiritual teacher Shri Shri Basaveshwari Mataji Basava Dham, Maulana Zainul Adedin, Spiritual Teacher of Islamic tradition and Rev. Father Melvin Lobo, the Spiritual Teacher of Christian tradition. All the guests in their speech applauded and pay their respect to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his untiring commitment to religious harmony. The Director of Administrative office Ven. Stanzin Khandak expressed a word of thanks to all the guests for gracing this auspicious occasion. Veg Lunch was served to the guests and all those present in the August hall.
Held only at Drepung Gomang monastery, that too once a year on the 16th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan Lunar Calendar, 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 class debates 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, used to go far away from the monastery compound in the fields with great secrecy to prepare the debate. Above are the photos from this year's Thuk Choera at the new debate courtyard of Drepung Gomang Monastery.