Chötrul Düchen, also known as Chonga Choepa or the Butter Lamp Festival was observed on 18th March, (the 15th day of Tibetan First month), is one of the four Buddhist festivals commemorating four events in the life of the Buddha, according to Tibetan traditions. Chötrul Düchen closely follows Losar, the Tibetan New Year. It takes place on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Tibetan calendar during the full moon (Bumgyur Dawa). The first fifteen days of the year celebrate the fifteen days during which the Buddha displayed miracles for his disciples so as to increase their devotion. During Chötrul Düchen ("Great Day of Miraculous Manifestations"), it is believed that the effects of both positive and negative actions are multiplied ten million times.
On the 16th day of the first month of the Tibetan Calendar, throwing the ritual cake (Torkyas) into the fire was observed at Drepung Monastery, the religious rituals were attended by the His Eminence the abbots of two monastery, discipline heads, chant masters and ritual presided by Ven. Othok Tulku Rinpoche, with a large gathering of the public in general, ritual is directed against all obstacles, negative spirits, harmful forces that would taint the coming year and for success, peace, and harmony in this world.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic that affected the worldwide, monk students from Mongolia were called back to their country. Now after two years, the monk students from Mongolia returned back to Drepung Gomang Monastery to continue pursuing their Buddhist Philosophical studies. Drepung Gomang Monastery and Mongolia has ancient dharma ties that is still being followed these days.
On the sixth day of Tibetan New Year, the Member of Parliament from Ladakh constituency Shri Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and Gen Kunchok Tsephel, the nominated sangha councilor of LAHDC, Leh Visited Drepung Gomang Monastery, interacted with Monastic heads and the students from Ladakh and discussed on various issues pertaining to the students of Himalayan Region as well as the Monastic Institution.
The Annual Seminar on Five Major Treatises of Buddhist Philosophical studies was conducted here in February 2022 under the supervision of His Eminence Khen Rinpoche, H.E. Khensur Rinpoche and the Monastery's exam committee, with great participation by learned scholars/teachers/Geshes of the monastery as well as the monk students.
Sharing sad news with all, His Eminence Khensur Geshe Lobsang Samten passed away on the evening of 10th January at his residence here. Late H.E. Khensur Rinpoche was 93 years old, and the 78th Abbot Emeritus of Drepung Gomang Monastery served as the abbot from 2003 to 2009. Drepung Gomang Monastery offers its deepest condolence to all his disciples/students and followers.
Monlam prayer offering was offered today at Monastery’s prayer hall temple for his swift reborn for the Buddha dharma to flourish and benefit countless sentient beings.
May he continue to inspire countless devoted disciples that they may completely accomplish their practice. May he be reborn swiftly for Buddha dharma may flourish and he may continue to benefit countless beings.
Monks in a procession led by H.E. Abbots of Drepung Gomang and Drepung Loseling, H.E. Khensur Rinpoche, Settlement's Kungo la, chanzoes, khangtsen representatives, all monks at the side of the path with folded hands, pay their last respect and reverence to the departed spiritual teacher, the 78th abbot, His Eminence Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Samten. the procession circumambulates the prayer hall temple before leading towards the site of the cremation ceremony. The last rites with prayer sessions were held at the courtyard of the prayer hall temple on the morning of 14th January, attended by H.E. Khen Rinpoche of Drepung Gomang and Drepung Loseling, H.E. Khensur Rinpoche, Settlement Officer, chant masters, discipline head, tulkus, geshes and monks of this monastery. The mortal remains of His Eminence Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Samten, the 78th abbot of the monastery who left for heavenly abode on 11th January 2022 were escorted to the prayer hall temple with prayer services and placed on his throne as per religious customs and tradition.
Drepung Gomang Science Center under the supervision of H.E. Khen Rinpoche, discipline head, Science teachers conducted the annual science examination at the prayer hall temple of the monastery. Drepung Gomang Science Center founded in 2012 is another major landmark in the monastery's academic educational field where science subject was introduced as one of the subjects in monastic curriculum. The well-equipped science classrooms and laboratory with highly qualified science teachers provide the best available resources to the present three batches of science classes. The center is under the supervision of Drepung Gomang Library. Read more
