The annual exam for the academic year 2021-2022 for the monk students of Drepung Gomang School was conducted on 19th April 2022. The test of oral recitation of memorized texts, written papers, and dialectical skills was conducted, Drepung Gomang School is administered by Dre-Gomang Buddhist cultural Association (DGBCA), a registered society. Monk students from age 7 to 18 study here modern education like English, mathematics, and science besides traditional Buddhist monastic studies. The classes are from 1st grade to VIIIth grade.
On 20th April, His Eminence Drepung Trisur Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tenpa bestowed Mahakala Empowerment and conferred ‘Kyabje Yongzin Trijang Rinpoche’s Oral transmission on Mahakala Practice’ at the Prayer hall temple of Drepung Gomang Monastery, teaching attended by tulkus/lamas, geshes and common monks.
On 21st April, monks gathered early morning to perform ‘Tsedup’ Long life prayer ceremony for His Eminence Drepung Trisur Khensur Rinpoche, followed by a long life offering ceremony (Tenshug) for His Eminence Drepung Trisur Khensur Rinpoche. This Tenshug ceremony was led by His Eminence Khen Rinpoche of Drepung Gomang, attended by His Eminence Drepung Tripa Khensur Rinpoche, H.E. Khen Rinpoche of Drepung Loseling, H.E. Gomang Khensur Rinpoche, Senior monks, directors of both monasteries and representative of Khangtsens, beside the common monks. On this auspicious occasion, His Eminence Khen Rinpoche expressed gratitude to the elders and lauded the great hard work and sacrifice made in extremely difficult conditions by our elders (Buxa elders) during the initial years of monastic re-establishment in South India. This sangha will always remember their great selfless contributions and hard work which have greatly contributed to the preservation of our culture and religion in exile.
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On 15th April 2022, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama grants an audience to H.E. Khen Rinpoche Geshe Jigme Gyatso, 81st Abbot of Drepung Gomang Monastery and abbot's attendant at his official residence in Dharamsala. India.
On 4th April, at the prayer hall temple of Drepung Gomang Monastery, learned Geshe who are the rank holders in the annual Tantrayana exam were honored by His Eminence Khen Rinpoche in presence of the congregation. Monks who have graduated or obtained Geshe title from the monastery are required to pursue a three-year mandatory Tantrayana course from the monastery, upon completion of this three-year course, the Ngarampa title is honored to the Geshe.
On 26th March, 2022, the officials of the Embassy of Mongolia visited Drepung Gomang Monastery during the prayer session at the Prayer hall temple, meeting His Eminence Khen Rinpoche and other officials of Drepung Gomang Monastery. The officials discussed the wide range related to the Mongolian monk students and the historic ties between Mongolia and Drepung Gomang Monastery.
From 22nd to 27th March 2022, the Tantrayana conference and examination were held at the monastery’s prayer hall temple. Monks who have graduated or obtained Geshe title from the monastery are required to pursue a three-year mandatory Tantrayana course from the monastery, upon completion of this three-year course, the Ngarampa title is honored to the Geshe. The conference and the examination were conducted in the presence and supervision of His Eminence Khen Rinpoche Geshe Jigme Gyatso, learned scholars/teachers of the monastic institution.
Amidst Pandemic and War, our official Mandala group to Russia returns back to the monastery safely. The group headed by Venerable Geshe Lharampa Jamyang Dhondup (@Tulku Khajog Rinpoche) visited Russia as per the invitation extended by our Drepung Gomang Center Cultural Foundation, Moscow, Russia. Drepung Gomang Monastery and all its monks sincerely convey thank you and the deepest gratitude to Natasha la and members, volunteers of DGCCF, Moscow for the continuous support to the initiative of the monastery. Our deepest thank you to Telo Tulku Rinpoche, abbots, and monks/members of monasteries in St. Petersburg, Kalmykia, Tuva, and all other regions that the group visited. Our thank you also to the monks and Amche Dr. Penpa Tsering la for their hard work and for the success in this trip.