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
On 17th December, new abbot appointed by His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama, the 81st Abbot of Drepung Gomang Monastery, His Eminence Geshe Jigme Gyatso took charge of the Abbotship of Drepung Gomang Monastery, taking the charges from outgoing 80th abbot His Eminence Geshe Lobsang Gyaltsen after the handing over ceremony in presence of Chant masters, discipline head, tulkus, senior monks, monks officers of administration and planning, representative of 16 khangtsens. The enthronement ceremony was attended by CTA officials and representatives of various monastic colleges.
The traditional scarf offering was held on 19th Dec, 2021 at the prayer hall temples, attended by H.E. Abbots of the monasteries, tulkus, settlement Kungo la, representatives/chanzoes/directors of various monasteries, and officials/staff/camp leaders of the settlements, followed by traditional luncheon for all the special invitees and attendee of the ceremony.
Gaden Nyamchoe Chenmo, the parinirvana of Great Je Tsong khapa, the founder of Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism was observed on 29th Dec 2021 at Drepung Gomang Prayer hall temple, prayer ceremony attended by H.E. Khen Rinpoche, tulkus, geshes and monk students of this monastery.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama appoints His Eminence Geshe Jigme Gyatso as the 81st abbot (khen Rinpoche) of Drepung Gomang Monastic College. Today on 18th Nov 2021, the administration of the monastery delivered the official letter of appointment from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to His Eminence New Abbot Geshe Jigme Gyatso at his residence as per religious customs and tradition. The administration of Drepung Gomang Monastery and all its monks sincerely express hearty congratulation to the new abbot of the monastery. The official enthronement ceremony of the new Abbot of the monastery is scheduled for 17th December 2021 as arranged by His Eminence Labrang.
On 5th Dec, 2021, in the presence of His Eminence Khen Rinpoche, the Year 2021 rank holders of the Annual monastic examination were declared and honored at the prayer hall temple in presence of H.E. Abbot, H.E. Changkya Rinpoche, Discipline head, chant master, directors of administrative and planning office. The rank holders of each class were honored with small gifts as tokens of appreciation for their academic achievement and hard work. Drepung Gomang Monastery extends hearty congratulation to all those who excel in their annual exams.