It is an unparalleled source of joy and gratitude for the sangha of Mindrolling International that Kyabje Tsetrul Rinpoche has expressed the wish to bestow the entire Künzang Gongpa Zangthal at Lotus Garden from August 27th to 12th September 2010. Rinpoche, one of the greatest Nyingma teachers alive today, is the foremost and principal holder of these highest Dzogchen transmissions which were discovered by the tertön Rigzin Gödem (1337-1408) as part of the Northern Treasures Tradition.
Commemorating the Parinirvana of
Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen
On the 3rd day of the first month of the Iron Tiger year (17th February 2010), the entire Mindrolling sangha observed the 3rd anniversary of Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen Gyurme Künzang Wangyal. This is the third year since the wish-fulfilling jewel of the Mindrolling sangha, Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen, passed into parinirvana. We continue to remember our precious Guru with heartfelt longing devotion and yearning. The Mindrolling sangha worldwide commemorated this day with intensive practice and offerings. At the Mindrolling Monastery in India, the entire sangha came together to perform an intensive practice of the Minling Vajrasattva. Also in Lotus Garden, the sangha did a full day of the Vajrasattva practice.
Annual Great Tsechu Cham Performed at the Mindrolling Monastery
On the 25th of March, the Mindrolling sangha, representatives of various schools and monasteries as well as many other dignitaries joined a large public audience in the viewing of the sacred ritual dances on the auspicious occasion of this year's Tsechu Chenmo. These beautiful and very sacred dances have been performed at Mindrolling every year since the time of Terdag Lingpa. In Tibet, they were traditionally performed on the tenth day of the fifth lunar month in honor of Guru Padmasambhava. It is now observed on the tenth day of the second lunar month since the extreme heat of Indian summers does not allow the dancers to perform in full costume in the fifth month. Even though temperatures at Mindrolling Monastery around this time of the year are usually already very high, this year’s Tsechu was blessed with a cool breeze, which allowed for a particularly joyful celebration. The entire sangha felt blessed by the profound ritual ceremony and dances and rejoiced that this sacred ceremony continues to be performed in an unbroken lineage up to the current generation.
Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche Accepts Position As
Head of the Nyingma School
The Buddhadharma in general and the Nyingma school in particular flourished under the leadership of Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen, the supreme head of the Nyingmas, for the benefit of countless sentient beings.
Following the parinirvana of Kyabje Mindrolling Trichen in 2008, it became the responsibility of Mindrolling to initiate the process of deciding the next head of the Nyingmas.
With this enormous responsibility, Mindrolling initiated a meeting on this matter during the 2010 Nyingma Monlam held at Bodh Gaya. At this sacred site, the International Nyingma Monlam Committee and representatives of the six main lineages of the Nyingmas met to discuss this important matter of the next Head of the Nyingma School. It was then decided that the representatives of the six main lineages and senior teachers and members of the International Nyingma Monlam would appoint a committee of six senior members who would approach four of the oldest and some of the senior-most Nyingma masters to accept the role of the Head of the Nyingma School. Seeing the enormous importance of their presence and continued activity, it was decided that they would also make the Tensum offerings and supplications of long life to all the four great masters, beginning with the oldest in age. Those masters who were approached were Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche, Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche, Kyabje Dodrub Rinpoche and Kyabje Tsetrul Rinpoche.
The six senior members appointed to hold the responsibility for this task were H.E. Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, H.E. Gyangkhang Rinpoche, H.E. Khochhen Rinpoche, H.E. Orgyen Topgyal Rinpoche and the two representatives of the Nyingmas in the government of Tibet in Exile.
The first teacher to be approached was Kyabje Chatral Sangye Dorje Rinpoche who is one of senior-most and oldest living Nyingma masters of the day. Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche declined the position due to health concerns.
The committee then proceeded to approach Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche. In the face of heartfelt repeated requests to Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche on behalf of the entire Nyingma School, Rinpoche graciously accepted to the great joy of everyone.
It was decided that due to the ever-increasing activities of the Nyingmas, a new position of a General Secretary would be created to assist the Head of the Nyingma School. It was the wish of Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche that this position of General Secretary be offered to His Eminence D.G. Khochhen Rinpoche, who accepted this position in the face of the command of Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche and the wishes of many Nyingma monasteries.
The Mindrolling Sangha offers prayers for the long life and increased activities of Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche and His Eminence D.G. Khochhen Rinpoche. We pray that Tibetan Buddhism in general, and the Nyingma school in particular, grows and flourishes for the benefit of all sentient beings to the end of this kalpa.
Tenzhug Offering to H.E. Khochhen Rinpoche
27th March, 2010 marked the very auspicious occasion of a Tenzhug (longevity ceremony) being offered to His Eminence D.G. Khochhen Rinpoche in the Guru Lhakhang of the Great Stupa of Mindrolling Monastery. The practice was performed in the presence of a large congregation of dignitaries such as Ogyen Tobgyal Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche and Lodrö Gyari Rinpoche, as well as the representatives of the Nyingma School in the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and representatives of various monasteries. All the monks of Mindrolling Monastery, the nuns of Samten Tse, and a great number of members of the lay community attended the ceremony to pay their respects and be a part of the beautiful and moving ceremony. The Tenzhug was offered at the inspiration of Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche and it was a particularly joyous occasion since the entire sangha came together to offer it collectively to H.E. Khochhen Rinpoche.
The sangha of Mindrolling has been truly blessed to have the guidance of His Eminence D.G. Khochhen Rinpoche since the re-establishment of the Mindrolling Monastery in India. His Eminence D.G. Kochhen Rinpoche's loving patience and strength in maintaining the golden lineage of Mindrolling is an example that is rare and truly inspiring in these time. We pray that His Eminence D.G. Khochhen Rinpoche has a long life and continuous vast activities.
