Pathgate News
Conclusion Of The Forty-Nine Day Puja For The Late Holiness Penor Rinpoche
On 15th day of the second Tibetan month (9th April 2009), after the late Holiness Penor Rinpoche released his body from the meditative state of Thugdam, the Kudung (holy body) of the late Holiness was moved from his private residence to the Zangdok Pelri Temple where daily prayers of Gongdzog and Lama Choepa were recited by a congregation of Tulkus, Khenpos and Lamas.
On the morning of 28th day of the third Tibetan month (22nd May 2009), the Kudung of the late Holiness Penor Rinpoche was moved to the Golden Temple where it was placed on the throne before the commencing of the ceremony for the final day of the 49-day Puja.
At 5.00pm, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje and a team of fellow Lamas carried the Kudung of the late Holiness to the first floor of the Zandok Pelri Temple where it will be kept for one year. While the Kudung remains enshrined in the Zandok Pelri Temple, the enlightening activities of the late Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche continue to flourish in the world through Dharma activities performed by his disciples. May all our prayers for the swift rebirth of the late Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche come true speedily for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche Yangsi visited Namdroling
Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche Yangsi visited Namdroling Monastery in late April to pay respect to the late Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche. Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche Yangsi was the reincarnation of the great Dzogchen Master Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche who passed away on 27th August 1999 at Antamnies, Dordogne, France. On hearing the news of Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche’s passing, the late Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche who was on a teaching tour in the UK at the time, cancelled his planned schedule and travelled to France to perform puja for Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche.
Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche Yangsi who is now six years old was formally recognised and enthroned in Bodhgaya during the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo in 2008 in the presence of the late Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche.
On this trip to the Namdroling Monastery, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche Yangsi was accompanied by Khandro Damcho Zangmo, the spiritual wife of the previous Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche. Khandro Damcho Zangmo was renowned for her devotion to her late husband by performing thousands of prostration daily which she dedicated towards the swift rebirth of Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche.
37 Retreatants Completed 3 year – 3 Month Retreat
Located about one hundred metres to the north of the Golden Temple within the ground of Namdroling Monastery in South India is the Samten Oseling Retreat Centre which is used exclusively as a facility for those who wish to undergo a three year-three month retreat of Buddhist practice. On the morning of the 26th April 2009 at 7.30 am, 37 retreatants left the Samten Oseling Retreat Centre for the first time in three years after having completed their three year-three month retreat practice within the closed-door facilities. Accompanied by lamas and monks holding incense offering and playing religious instruments, they walked in a single-file procession to the private office of the Namdroling Monastery Management Committee, where offering of the siddhi (accomplishment nectar) and khata were made to HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, the 12th Throne-holder of the Palyul Lineage and to HE Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche. HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche in turn gave them precious heart-essence advice, which was greatly appreciated by all who were present.
Once the audience was over, the retreatants went to the Tara Temple where they recited prayers to mark the auspicious occasion. The Ge Koe (Discipline Master) congratulated the successful practitioners with khatas and monetary offering on behalf of the monastery. Concluding prayer of dedication was recited before the group returned to the retreat centre. At 9 am, all the retreatants went to the Zangdok Palri Temple to pay their respects to the Kudung (Holy Body) of HH Penor Rinpoche. These 37 retreatants are the eighth batch of retreatants who had successfully completed their three year-three months retreat at the Samten Oseling Retreat Centre, which has been in operation since 1985. A new batch of retreatants have since received the necessary initiation from Khenchen Pema Sherab and entered the retreat centre to commence their three year-three month retreat. One of the new retreatants is Lama Sherap Gyatso who served under Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje for a period as a resident lama at the Palyul Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Lama Sherap Gyatso is an expert in torma making. To witness his skill in action, you may visit the page of Pathgate Theatre and click on the film 'The Making Of Torma'.
Inauguration of the New Office Building of Ngagyur Nyimgma University
In the autumn of 2007, Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje received permission and blessing from HH Penor Rinpoche to raise the necessary funding for the construction of one new three-storey building for the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute of Buddhist Studies at Namdroling Monastery. The project was eventually extended to include the construction of a second three-storey building. The first building with seven classrooms and accommodation for over 100 monks was officially opened in March 2008. Construction of the second building, which is to provide much needed floor space for both the administrative offices and other essential services of the Shedra, commenced soon afterwards and took merely one year to complete.
On the morning of the 26th April 2009, at 8.30 am, HE Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche, Khenchen Pema Sherab along with all the officials of Namdroling Monastery gathered together before the new office building of the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute (NNI) to witness the inauguration and consecration of the new office building conducted by HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche who performed the ribbon cutting ceremony to declare the official opening of the building. All the dignitaries were invited to the spacious air-conditioned conference hall on the third floor where HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, HE Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche and Khenchen Pema Sherab lit the butter lamps before the altar.
HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche then bestowed gifts and khatas as a token of gratitude to Lama Dondrup Dorje, the sponsor of the two buildings, as well as to the building contractors who were involved in the construction. Both Khenchen Pema Sherab and HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche gave speeches of thanks and advice to the congregation. The first one to speak was Khenchen Pema Sherab who expressed his gratitude to Lama Dondrup Dorje for providing financial support to the construction of the two new buildings for Ngagyur Nyingma University. He also thanked everyone who had worked hard to make this project successful. Khenchen reminded everyone present that His Holiness Penor Rinpoche’s main goal in establishing Namdroling Monastery is to preserve and propagate the two-fold teachings of Lord Buddha, namely the Scriptural Teachings of Dharma and the Teachings of Realisation. These two-fold teachings involve the three activities of study based on the conduct of pure morality which include the activities of giving discourse and listening, the practice of debate, and the practice of composition.
Khenchen explained the preservation of the Teachings of Realisation is to engage in meditation practice and to put into action what we have learnt from the Buddhist text because these two-fold teachings are very much inter-related. Without the support of scriptural knowledge, one cannot engage in Dharma practice and hence there is no way of achieving realisation. On the other hand, without realisation, scriptural knowledge alone cannot liberate us. Therefore, both must go hand in hand. Khenchen felt that we should keep this in mind as we strive to preserve these two-fold teachings of Lord Buddha. On the need of buildings for classrooms, offices, and accommodation, he expressed the view that we have to make sure that these facilities serve as causes and conditions to preserve and propagate the two-fold teachings of Lord Buddha. He reiterated that we should not feel complacent about the new buildings and we must continue to work hard to accomplish our main goal.
HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche began his speech by saying Lama Dondrup Dorje deserved appreciation and praise for his support in establishing two new buildings for the Ngagyur Nyingma University. Having personally thanked him and also those involved in the construction, HH went on to remind those who worked in these new buildings and offices should avoid getting involved in any political or other worldly aspirations, and that they should make sure that whatever they do must be with pure intentions and in accordance to the teaching of Dharma. He said if they do so in this way, then they will fulfil the wishes of the sponsor and whatever the amount the sponsor has contributed will not go to waste.
HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche further explained that studying scriptures and achieving realisation are the main purpose of our spiritual activities. The studies at the Shedra which include listening, giving discourse, debate and composition are very important but if these are not put into actual practice, then all these studies would be meaningless. As being the holders of Nyingma tradition, we must meditate and practise after listening and contemplation. The speciality of the Nyingma tradition lies in practice and not in study alone. If we look back to the past, we have so many realised masters who have devoted their whole life in practice. We should follow their example.
After a final speech of thanks from Khenpo Khyentse Norbu, the Principal of NNU, the dignitaries were given a guided tour of the building, which is now the new home of the NNU's administrative offices. In addition, it also houses the computer department, editorial committee office, reception office, donation office, photo-copying room, book shop, general store, STD telephone centre and a modern canteen. Every room in the building has been furnished to a standard in accordance to its need and function. In addition to a batch of computers previously sponsored by Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje, twenty-five brand-new flat screen computers have been procured for the computer department and the Rinchen Terzod Editorial Committee, through which Dharma texts are computerised into digital storage and publications of Dharma books and magazines are made.
The morning activities were bought to a close at noon with a most splendid lunch offered to all the dignitaries at the new canteen on the ground floor.
If you wish to be part of the Pathgate Partnership Programme, which sponsored the two new buildings of NNU and many other worthy projects worldwide, please click donation.
Pathgate Sangha Pay Homage to the Kudung of HH Penor Rinpoche
During the month of April 2009, several groups of Pathgate students travelled to Namdroling Monastery to pay homage to the Kudung (Holy Body) of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. While they were there, each and every Pathgate student had the opportunity to join in one of the weekly offering of mandala and khatas (white silk scarf) made by Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje to the Kudung of HH Penor Rinpoche in the Zangdok Palri Temple and at the thrones of His Holiness in the Golden Temple. The strong scent of sandalwood fragrance permeating the air during the mandala offerings and even during khorwa (circumambulation) around the outside of the Zangdok Palri Temple was very obvious to the Pathgate students. This unmistaken fragrance is the true sign of the purity of His Holiness's enlightened qualities.
During their stay at Namdroling Monastery, every member of the Pathgate Sangha received from Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche a piece of His Holiness’ sacred robe which has the power to protect those who have strong faith in His Holiness from the harm of both human and non-human. Arrangement was also made so that they could pay respect to many Palyul Rinpoches at the monastery and receive advice from them.
HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche advised one group of Pathgate students to use the time they have at the monastery to practice prayers, particularly the accumulation of the Prayer for the Swift Rebirth of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. To another group of students, he reminded them that Nyingmapa practice is about purifying the mind.
HE Gyangkhang Rinpoche, praised the devotion of the students who came to the monastery and advised them that it is very important to have strong aspiration to become a good Dharma practitioner.
Khenchen Pema Sherab explained to the students that it is our unfortunate karma that His Holiness is gone. However, one good thing is that we have received many teachings and guidance from His Holiness, who is a very great Lama. So it is important to keep the vows intact, preserve them and protect our samaya (word of honour). This is by far the most important task before us. Through His Holiness' clairvoyance, through his enlightened mind, he can see us and is aware of every thought that comes into our mind, even though His Holiness has passed into nirvana. If we wish to please His Holiness and to receive his blessing, it is vital that we should practise the path in accordance to the nectar-like teachings he has taught us. This is the best offering we can make to His Holiness. The best offering is not the offering of flowers or wealth but to practise the instructions His Holiness has given us. That is the main essence of the teaching as explained in the sutras.
With regard to the reincarnation of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, Khenchen said that what he always feels in his heart is that if we want an unmistaken reincarnation of His Holiness, the most important thing is to keep our vows intact and to practise pure morality. If we preserve our vows and practise according to what His Holiness has taught us, then we will be blessed with an unmistaken reincarnation of His Holiness with all the enlightened qualities of the previous Penor Rinpoche. If we do not practise in accordance to the path, then there is no need for his reincarnation to come since our morality is not pure.
Even though we would have in name a reincarnation, he would not be able to serve the purpose of a great Lama. For an accomplished Lama to guide us perfectly, the students must have certain qualities. If we observe and protect the commitments we made, we will certainly be blessed with an unmistaken reincarnation of His Holiness. We have been most fortunate to have His Holiness as a teacher. Simply observe one of his many enlightened activities, and we will recognise how special a teacher he was. Therefore we should always be grateful for such good fortune and avoid causing degeneration to our vows. It is most important to remain in harmony with each other as followers of His Holiness – be friendly with each other, and help each other. This way, we will definitely be blessed with his reincarnation. Khenchen spoke also about Lama Dondrup Dorje’s sponsorship of the two Shedra buildings and said that whatever he has spent will not go to waste because this is the enlightened activity of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche.
To another group of students, Khenchen Pema Sherab spoke about the tendency over time to pay less attention to the vows and let things slip. But if we follow the vows then, with time, radiance will come from our mind and this will be of benefit to others.
Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso also stressed the importance of observing the vows. He told the Pathgate Sangha that one who has received the ordination vows and follows the vows properly for just one day in this time of Kaliyuga (age of degeneration) will generate more merits than one who observed the vows properly for the whole lifetime during the time of Lord Buddha. Afflictive emotions are very powerful during the time of Kaliyuga, so we shouldn’t follow them. We should always follow the teaching of Dharma. A scattered mind is what causes all the obscurations and obstacles we come to experience. We need the support of mindfulness and conscientiousness in watching the mind. Mindfulness and conscientiousness will protect our mind from negative emotion and without them we will follow our impulse and commit wrong action. Every problem we come to experience is caused by a scattered mind. Shantideva has spoken about this in his teaching on mindfulness. Khenchen said that his own master also spoke of the importance of having diligence and perseverance in mindfulness and conscientiousness.
Khenchen reiterated that we should always reflect on impermanence because no one is free from the effect of impermanence. If we do not practise, this precious opportunity of a human life will be lost at death. It is very important not to waste our time. The reason that we have a teacher in this life is due to the merits of our past action as well as the gathering together of all the right circumstances. So don’t waste this opportunity. Receive as much teaching as you can. It is very important to read the teaching and contemplate it, and become familiar with it. It is like the way we become familiar with our friends. As time goes on we will get to know them. So in the same way we should get to know the teaching. Then we need to become familiar with our mind. We also need to become familiar with the deities. This will make the visualisation clearer and be helpful to our practice. It is very important to work with the mind and not allow the mind to get scattered. Cultivate compassion and bodhicitta through meditation. It will prepare us to get to know the Dzogchen practice.
Khenpo Sangye Wangdi, the former Principal of the Shedra, advised the students that they should not try too hard in their practice; better to keep a relaxed mind. He encouraged them to develop a bodhicitta mind and then went on to elaborate the importance of dedication, for this is the cause for all beings to achieve enlightenment and the practice of the Bodhisattva. He reminded the students of the necessity to cultivate disgust with regard to samsara because there is no happiness anywhere in samsara. He also reminded the students of the importance to confess when they make mistakes.
Khenpo explained that in the practice of Mahayana, students must first generate compassion. Their practice should be very stable and focused on what they do. If they do it with a scattered mind, then there is no benefit at all. Whenever one gets distracted, one should bring one's mind back to oneself. If one does not dedicate, whatever virtue one generated will just cause one to be reborn in the fortunate realms and this will not liberate oneself or others. Khenpo reminded the students that patience is one of the most important qualities in Dharma practice. If one's practice doesn’t live up to one's expectation, just keep practising. One should not develop attachment to samsara or nirvana because attachment is a poison of afflictive emotion which will only bring suffering. We should strive to develop bodhicitta from the foundation of the Four Immeasurables and it will help us to attain the two-fold fulfilment for both ourselves and others.
Some Pathgate students also had the chance to visit the Junior School and the Namling Hospital. Both facilities were set up by HH Penor Rinpoche and both facilities have received funding and support provided by the Pathgate Partnership Programme over the course of many years.
At the Junior School which has 1600 pupils, the Pathgate students were welcome by the Principal at the newly renovated Conference Hall sponsored by funding provided by the Pathgate Partnership Programme. Great hospitality was bestowed on the Pathgate students and each received a gift from the faculty of the school.
At the Namling Hospital, Lopon Sonam and Lopon Nyima, the administrators of the hospital gave an account of the financial support they have received from Lama Dondrup Dorje. The senior administrator, Lopon Nyima, told the students that Lama Dondrup Dorje is not only known for helping the needy, more importantly, he has a pure mind. Lopon Nyima went on to explain that when you have a pure mind, you can go anywhere and you will not be affected by what is there. If your mind is not pure, no matter where you go, you will not be comfortable with yourself.
All the Pathgate students appreciate their good fortune to receive blessing from the Kudung of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Their time at the Namdroling Monastery was well spent and the discipline they displayed earned them praise from everyone they met. The high regard for Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje at Namdroling Monastery was reflected by the fact that Pathgate students were invited to join in the puja inside the Zangdok Palri Temple which is reserved exclusively for Tulku, Khenpo, and Lama. Pathgate students were the only foreign students who were allowed to join in the puja inside the Zangdok Palri Temple during the forty-nine-day puja.
If you wish to pay respect and to receive blessing from the Kudung of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, you may email contact@pathgate.org for details.
H.H. Penor Rinpoche's Mahaparinirvana Ceremony
On the morning of 3rd April at 8.00 am, in the presence of Tulku Gyangkhang, Tulku Mugsang, Khenchen Pema Sherab, Khenchen Namdrol and Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso, it was confirmed that His Holiness had released his body after having entered the meditative state of Thugdam for one week. For the next six consecutive days, Ceremony of Lama Choepa (Offering to the Lama) sponsored by Lama Dondrup Dorje, was conducted each morning by Yangthank Rinpoche, HE Gyangkhang Rinpoche, HE Mugsang Rinpoche and a small group of selected Lamas before the Kudung (Holy Body) of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche inside his residence.
On the morning of 15th day of the 2nd Tibetan Month of the Royal Earth Ox Year 2136 (9th April 2009); the Kudung of His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu was moved from his residence to the Zangdok Palri Temple by a traditional palanquin which was placed on a specially prepared vehicle for the journey. The palanquin was taken around the grounds of the Golden Temple and the Ogyen Dongag Shedrup Osel Dhargyeling amidst a thick column of devotees who lined up along the way. The entire journey was accompanied by the senior Tulkus, Khenpos, Lamas and Lopons of the Namdroling Monastery with khatas (white scarves), incense and flowers in their hands.
Having arrived at the Zangdok Palri Temple, the precious Kudung was seated upon a throne on the ground floor of the temple before rituals of Jongwa (Purification of the Elements) and Thrusol (Ablution Ceremony) were performed.
Introduction of the Mahaparinirvana Ceremony was given by Khenchen Namdrol and Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso while tea and dresil (sweet rice) were served to the guests inside the temple. This was followed by the Lama Choepa ceremony (Offering to the Lama) and concluded with the chanting of auspicious prayers. All the special guests as well as tulkus, khenpos, lamas and lopons were allowed to pay respects and receive blessing from the Kudung of HH Penor Rinpoche.
The Kudung of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche will eventually be moved to the first floor of the Zandok Palri Temple and will remain there for at least one year. Meanwhile, daily pujas continue with Shitro (the Hundred Deities practice), Dorje Sempa (Vajrasattva) and Lama Choepa (Offering to the Guru) during the course of the day. The 49 days puja will conclude on 22nd May 2009.
If you wish to pay respects and receive blessing from the Kudung of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, you may email contact@pathgate.org for details.
Prayer for the Swift Rebirth of H.H. Penor Rinpoche
Since the Kudung of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche has been moved to Zangdok Palri Temple, the sangha of Namdroling Monastery have been performing daily puja practices inside the Zangdok Palri Temple, the Golden Temple, Shedra Prayer Hall and the Nunnery. Part of their practice includes two very special Supplication Prayers for the Swift Rebirth of HH Penor Rinpoche.
These two prayers were offered out of compassion by HE Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche. The first one is based on a short prayer composed by Thubten Chokyi Langpo for the Second Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche. To this prayer, Dungse Rinpoche added two extra lines so it can be recited as a Supplication Prayer for the Swift Rebirth of HH Penor Rinpoche.
The second prayer is a longer version that Dungse Thinley Norbu Rinpoche wrote especially for the students of HH Penor Rinpoche. Both text and audio recording of these two prayers are now available for download from the Pathgate website. To read the text in Tibetan, English and Chinese, and listen to these two prayers, please click the Tibetan Prayer and Mantra.
Traditionally, devotees make a vow in the presence of the Kudung of their Lama to accumulate a specific number of recitations of prayers. You may also follow this practice and make your own personal commitment by visualising His Holiness before you and making the promise to complete a certain number of recitations.
With regard to the Forty-Nine Day Puja, it is important to realise that the practices performed during the Forty-Nine Days are not for His Holiness but for our own benefit. Spending these seven weeks in intensive practice gives us the opportunity to purify our samaya (words of honour), and receive the blessings of the lineage. This also provides the opportunity for the sangha to stay close together as we experience attachment and sorrow at the passing of our precious guru, HH Penor Rinpoche.
Practising and going through this time together can strengthen our connection with one another and with the heart essence of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. Please note the Pujas at Namdroling are continuing for 49 days from the time of His Holiness' Mahaparinirvana, through to 22nd May 2009.
HE Gyangkhang Rinpoche, the new Chairman of Namdroling Monastery and of the Penor Rinpoche Charity Foundation
On the day following the passing of His Holiness Penor Rinpoche, a series of meetings were held at Namdroling Monastery to determine the appropriate measures to adopt in the management of Namdroling Monastery. It was decided at the very first meeting that a management committee of six members will hold the power on how the monastery should be run. The six committee members are HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, HE Gyangkhang Rinpoche, HE Mugsang Rinpoche, Khenchen Pema Sherab, Khenchen Namdrol and Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso.
On 4th April 2009, at a meeting attended by the religious leaders of the Palyul Nyingma tradition, which included HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche and HE Mugsang Rinpoche, HE Gyangkhang Rinpoche was elected to become the Chairman of Namdroling Monastery and the Chairman of the Penor Rinpoche Charity Foundation.
HE Gyangkhang Rinpoche will be assisted by HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, HE Mugsang Rinpoche, Khenchen Pema Sherab, Khenchen Namdrol, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso and all the staff members of Namdroling Monastery.
His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche Entering Parinirvana
His Holiness Drubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche, the 11th Throneholder of the Palyul Lineage of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism entered the stage of Thugdam, the final stage of meditation, as of 8:20 pm on Friday, 27th March 2009 (the first day of the second Tibetan month), at the Namdroling Monastery in Bylakuppe, South India.
Earlier that day at noon, His Holiness received offerings from many of the highest Nyingma Tulkus, Khenpos, and Lamas who had assembled to pay homage to him. His Holiness left Columbia Asia Hospital in Bangalore at 3:30 pm with the help of the Bhutanese Government who provided an Indian police escort. He reached Palyul Namdroling at 6:40 pm and remained on his bed at the residence. Tulkus, Khenpos and Lamas did aspiration prayers together with His Holiness. At 8:20 pm Indian time, His Holiness, without showing any sign of pain, looked briefly around, smiled, and entered the meditative state of Thugdam. Prayers continued for 5 minutes and then everyone remained in silence for the next two hours.
His Holiness Penor Rinpoche remained in thugdam for six and a half days. On the morning of Friday 3rd April at 8.00 am Indian time, he released his body from meditation and entered Parinirvana in his own private quarters at the Namdroling Monastery. Lama Dondrup Dorje was one of a handful of Lamas, Tulkus and Khenpos who were able to offer homage and khata to His Holiness' body inside his private quarters. His Holiness looked totally at peace after remaining in Thugdam for nearly one week. His face was one of radiance and his body produced the scent of sandalwood which permeated the whole room and its surroundings. The fragrance was so tangible in the air that it could be sensed even at the garden outside. The sweet fragrance of sandalwood is the sign that symbolises the highest level of pure morality that His Holiness has perfected. Immediately afterwards on the same morning, His Holiness's body was prepared for preservation so that the devotees can pay their respects to His Holiness and receive blessings from his holy body.
The board and faculty of the Namdroling Monastery has announced that the Blessing Ceremony will begin on 9th April (the full moon day of the 2nd Tibetan month) with rituals and a ceremonial procession to carry Kyabje Penor Rinpoche's body into the Zangdok Palri Temple at Namdroling Monastery. It is expected that His Holiness' body will remain in the temple for a month. All Palyul students and Dharma friends are welcome to attend this ceremony or to come afterwards during the 49-day period to receive His Holiness Penor Rinpoche's blessings.
Meanwhile, all students are advised to make light offering for His Holiness. They should also do the Vajrasattva practice, and recite the Narak Kong Shak, The King of Aspirational Prayers and Prayers for the deceased. To listen to Narak Kong Shak and The King of Aspirational Prayers, and to download the text, please visit Tibetan Prayer and Mantra.
His Holiness Penor Rinpoche was born in the year of the Water Monkey (1932) in the Powo region in southeastern Tibet. In 1959, His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche decided to relocate to India for the sake of preserving Buddha Doctrine for the benefit of all sentient beings. Accompanied by a small group of monks, he settled in the region of Bylakuppe in Mysore, South India.
In the year of the Water Rabbit (1963), under the personal supervision of His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche, the Thekchog Namdrol Shedrub Dargye Ling (Namdroling Monastery) commenced its first phase of construction. Since that time, under the direction of His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche, Namdroling Monastery has become the largest Tibetan Nyingma monastery in India with an ordained sangha of over six thousand monks and over one thousand nuns.
Apart from propagating Buddha Doctrine in India and in Tibet, His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche has established many Dharma Centres around the world, which he visited regularly to promote Dharma activity for the benefit of all sentient beings. His Holiness is universally revered for his loving kindness and compassion, pure upholding of the Vinaya, the code of pure conduct and ceaseless dedication to the welfare of all beings. He will live forever in our hearts
To read a brief biography of His Holiness Pema Norbu Rinpoche, visit the Palyul Lineage Gallery; and to see the film ‘The Compassionate World of H.H. Penor Rinpoche’, visit the Dharma Theatre.
Removing Afflictive Emotions
In response to a question put forward by his disciple Ananda, Shakyamuni Buddha, the World Honoured One explained that the teaching of Buddha Dharma, of all the Buddhas of the past, present and future is always the same:
Do not commit any transgressions;
Generate benefit for all beings;
Purify your mind.
This is what the Buddhas teach.
This famous verse is explained by Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje in the opening of the audio teaching, ‘Removing Afflictive Emotions’, which contains essential guidance for those who wish to overcome the emotions that afflict our minds, and to protect their vows, such as those of the Refuge Vow, the Monastic Vows, Bodhisattva and Vajrayana Vows. Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje explains the causes of afflictive emotions (such as aversion and attachment) as the misguided perceptions of sentient beings. He then identifies their root causes and disadvantages, and explains the benefits of protecting one's vows and in the process succeeding in cultivating qualities such as bodhicitta and selflessness.
Offering a remedy to these afflictions, Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje prescribes the method of guiding our emotion with wisdom and discipline, through which we can all rid ourselves of attachment to afflictive emotion and in so doing give rise to such compassion from within that extends without condition, and transcend the obsession with the conceptual label of the ‘I’ to benefit all sentient beings.
To listen to ‘Removing Afflictive Emotions’ or download it as MP3, visit Audio Teachings by Lama Dondrup Dorje.
Pathgate Study Group Retreats
Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje has given to his students a massive amount of Dharma teachings over the duration of many years. Just so the students may have the opportunity to assimilate the teaching they received, Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje has compassionately arranged a series of Pathgate Study Group Retreats for the students to be held regularly at the Palyul Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
The first two-day retreat was held in February 2009 and followed by another two-day retreat in March. Both retreats were attended by ordained students and lay students from the UK and overseas.
The objective of the Pathgate Study Group Retreats is to offer an opportunity for the students to digest the vast wealth of teachings given to them by Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje over the past years, and in so doing become worthy vessels to receive further instruction on the more profound level of Buddha Dharma.
The retreats were supervised by senior facilitators of the Pathgate Institute, and were conducted in accordance to the guidance of Lord Buddha on Dharma practice by utilising the Three Wisdom Tools of Listening Repeatedly, Contemplating Repeatedly and Meditating Repeatedly.
The main focus of the retreats centred upon a series of Audio Teaching by Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje that have been specially selected from the Dharma Foundation Course's material. Each teaching session was followed by guided practice of contemplation and meditation on the key points from the teaching. Students at the retreat also had the opportunity to participate in Prayer Practices, Classical Meridian Qigong, and Meditative Taijiquan.
At the very first Pathgate Study Group Retreat held in February, the students were blessed with a visit by Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje, who distributed gifts of new robes to the ordained members of the sangha at the retreat and inspired all the students with an impromptu teaching on the importance of protecting one’s Samaya, and of avoiding the habitual pitfall of mistakenly believing that having listened to Dharma teaching is as the same as actually implementing the Dharma teaching into one’s daily life. He went on to caution the students that to focus on one’s intellect alone without the support of actual practice will only increase one’s conceptual obscuration and give rise to further causes of suffering and conflict for oneself and others.
Following the success of the first two Pathgate Study Group Retreats, a further series of retreats will be held this year at the Palyul Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The next Pathgate Study Group Retreat will be a 4-day retreat from the 10th – 13th April, over the Easter weekend. The main theme will be on the subject of Generating Bodhicitta and The Path of the Bodhisattva.
The course material of the retreat is suitable for anyone who wishes to develop better understanding of Buddhism whether from the perspective of a complete novice or from that of a more experienced practitioner. All participants of the retreat are by advanced registration only. There are no formal charges for the retreat. Students may make offering of their own in accordance to the custom of receiving Dharma teaching. To secure a place at the retreat, please send email to contact@pathgate.org.
New Uniforms for Staff at Namling Tsepal Tobkyed Hospital
Funding for new uniforms was recently made available to the staff of the Namling Tsepal Tobkyed Hospital in the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe, Mysore, South India. Pathgate Institute of Buddhist Studies has been a long–time sponsor of the hospital, which is founded by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche and is run under the administration of the Namdroling Monastery for the benefit of the local community. Past sponsorship through the Pathgate Partnership Program has included provision of an extensive range of medical equipments and funding towards the running costs of the hospital such as staff wages and electricity bill.
In response to a request made by the Hospital Adminstrator, Venerable Lama Dondrup Dorje has agreed once again to sponsor new uniforms for all the staffs at the hospital this year. A similar arrangement was made last year which saw new uniforms offered to every staff member of the hospital including the doctors, nurses, pharmacy staffs, laboratory technicians, administrative staffs, domestics and even the security guards of the hospital.
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