Second Issue 2009
Year of the OX 2136
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At Tibetan Community Hall, Camp # 3.
HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAMA 74th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
AND COMMEMORATION OF 50 YEARS IN EXILE.
The
74th Birth anniversary of our spiritual and temporal leader, His
Holiness the Dalai Lama was celebrated here on 6th July at Community
hall, the settlement officers, special guests, officials from the monasteries
and camps, as well as the monks, nuns and lay Tibetan people attended this
special occasion, cultural program was also staged by the school children as
well as by the people from the Tibetan camps. In the afternoon, soccer match was
played where the CST School won the match.
Also on 5th July, commemoration of 50 years in exile was observed here at the settlement, special function was organized to show our gratitude to the Indian community for giving us shelter and support over the past five decades.
GESHE
LHARAMPA YONTEN DHAMCHOE:
THE 79TH ABBOT (Khen Rinpoche) OF
DREPUNG GOMANG MONASTERY, SOUTH INDIA.
Enthronement ceremony of New Abbot
 Welcoming the new Abbot to the prayer hall |
 Offering of Mandala to Khen Rinpoche (New abbot) |
 Handing over the charges to new Abbot by outgoing abbot. |
 Monks offering khatak to Khen Rinpoche |
 Waiting for their turn for scarf ceremony |
 Customary first inspection of debate congregation by the new abbot |
The Abbot (Khen Rinpoche) term is of six year and after every six years, a list of nominees for new Abbot is gathered from the monks during the congregation and that is submitted to His Holiness the Dalai Lama via Dept of Religion and Culture. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has appointed Geshe Lharampa Yonten Dhamchoe as the 79th Abbot of Drepung Gomang Monastery, South India. Born at Amdo Taktsang Lhamo (Tibet) in 1940, he escaped to India after invasion of Tibet by China 1959, he is one of the 60 monks who reestablished the monastery here at present location after shifting from Buxar. Day and night he and other monks worked hard in the field for crops, sometimes writing texts and scriptures so to provide monastic education to young monks who enrolled during that time, so that the study of monks goes on without hindrance and traditional monastic curriculum survives. Conferred Geshe Lharampa title in 1984 after passing Gelug University Examination with great result, Geshe la has been spending many hours of his day teaching the Buddhist sutras to the monks of this monastery.
The discipline in the monastery is supervised by discipline master who is called
Gegu in Tibetan. His appointment is done on the basis of voting by the
monks during the prayer congregation. Gegu or discipline master term is one
year. This year, the new Gegu (discipline master ) is Hamdhong Ven. Geshe
Lharampa Damchoe Phuntsok.
SAKA
DAWA CELEBRATION.
Saka dawa, the 4th month of Tibetan Calendar is considered very
auspicious as it is the month of Buddha’s birth, Enlightenment and Paranirvana
(passing away). It is particular auspicious time to engage in spiritual practice
since any practice we do this month is multiplied thousandfold. On the full moon
day of this month, people visited the temples, monasteries making offerings,
giving alms on the streets, circumambulating the temples and monasteries.
CANCELLATION
OF
TOUR
TO CANADA THIS YEAR.
The Tour
preparation to Canada has to be stopped as Canadian Friends of Drepung Gomang
withdrew to coordinate this year. It was a big disappointment as the monks has
been preparing hard for the last two year. After this unfortunate decision, the
monks return back to their respective studies and service of the monastery.
The Summer Retreat
will start from 6th August 2009 to 19th September 2009, Yarney
(the "Summer Retreat") is a time for monks to reflect and meditate on
their vows. This practice began in India during the era of Buddha, the custom
still continues. Originally in Tibet Yarney lasted for three months, but
this was later changed to the present month and a half.
During this time, the monks aren't allowed out of the monastery, apart
from instances of necessity and emergency. They may not cut grass or walk on the
grass or in the field as this kills thousands of tiny insects visible and
invisible to naked eyes.
On
the first day, the 15th of sixth month of Tibetan Calendar, two piles
of sticks are placed in the prayer hall. The pile of longer sticks is for "Gelong"
monks (monks who have taken the full 253 vows), and the pile of shorter sticks
is for "Getsuls" (monks with only 36 or 58 vows). In the days
before registers and official census taking, this was the method to make a
reckoning of the annual numbers of Gelong (monk who have full ordination) and
Getsuls (novice ordination) in Drepung Monastery. Following this ceremony, the
monks make prostrations to one of the senior monks (Abbots), vowing to abide by
the Yarney promises for the 45 days. (Special allowances are made for
illness or important work).
SECULAR VALUES,
Monday, 6 July 2009, 3:49 p.m.
New Delhi: His
Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, on his 74th birthday
celebration on Monday said he is promoting secular values and different
philosophy of humanities as preached by Mahatma Gandhi when traveling to
different countries rather than propagating Buddhism.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also echoed the secular thoughts of Gandhi, saying
secularism doesn't mean rejection of religion but it means respect for religion
and even respect for non-believers.
"When I visited different countries in these years, I have not promoted or
propagated Buddhism as said by many, but harmony, humanity and
spirituality," His Holiness said on the occasion, which also marks the 50
years of his Holiness in India.
"I am promoting secular values, message of love, compassion, dignity,
spirit of common values and harmony as has been promoted by great
thinkers," His Holiness said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also said that Buddhism is not only about reciting
from scriptures and practicing it, but getting into the principals of the
religion and the value it promotes.
"We have to make Buddhism relevant in our life ...and why it is not much
relevant (is) due to lack of knowledge," His Holiness said.
Commenting on the socio-religious changes Tibet is undergoing, His Holiness the
Dalai Lama said "the region is passing through difficult times and Buddhism
is not being promoted in the way it used to be before."
"There is a steady depletion of the religion and our aim is to preserve and
promote the religion. We need to work in the direction to strengthen Buddhism in
Tibet and all over the Himalayan nations," His Holiness said.
Looking back at his 50 years in India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said "my
life has not been a "waste" and I got chances to learn from religious
leaders, scientists, politicians, businessman, ordinary people whom I had met in
all these years."
"From meeting these people, I have developed certain vision for life,"
His Holiness said.
Striking an emotional chord with the audience, most of whom comprised Tibetans
from Himachal Pradesh and other parts of the country, the spiritual leader said
he is sure he will celebrate his 100th birthday.
"Through all your wishes, I will live longer. I do not know whether I can
live for thousands years, but I am sure I will stay alive till I am 100 years
old," His Holiness said.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama also thanked India for whatever it has given to him
in all these 50 years of exile.
The function was also attended by former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who spelt
out his vision of 2030 -- when the country would be free of economic poverty and
water crisis.
The function was organised by Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association, Delhi in
collaboration with All Buddhist Organisation of Himalayan Region.
'THANK
YOU'
KIND DONORS AND SPONSORS
FOR THE CONTINUOUS SUPPORT.
The global slowdown has touched and affected everyone, even the remotest place like this monastery in South India. In the months that went, sadly some of the donors stopped sending donation here due to global slowdown or recession. We really thank them for their continuous support and really don’t want to cause any inconvenience. This monastery solely survives on the donations, contribution and prayer offering and every single fund helps us a lot. We sincerely appeal everyone to continue kind support towards this monastery and will understand if you are unable to do so. We thank you all once again and will include you all in our daily prayers.
Donation
received from March 17- 17 July 2009.
| Sponsorship/General donation Martin Nolan, usa, Geradine Hallgrimson, usa Barbara D. Siomos, Usa, Susan B. wheeler, usa. Jeanie Gensheimer, usa, Erica Burns, usa Walter Robinson, usa, Bairka Cooper, usa Sue Ellen Bohning, usa, Chih Yuan Huang, usa, Wei Ju Ko, usa, Daniel Chazin, usa, Linh Nguyen, usa Anwesh Roy, India, Elena Darourze, Sweden Roger and Jill Jordan, UK. Rosemary Patton, France Chuck Archambault, Canada, Patti Macdonell, Canada John Jordan, usa, Avrom robin, usa Yuan-Shun & Hei-Shan Mou, usa, Monica s. Haynes, Usa. Michelle C. Rosenaur, USA. Pamela X. Roesch, Usa. Angele T. Hough, Usa. Bruce Groner (Wilson Product), Usa Jitendra Rana and Nirupa Jitendra, Usa Dr. Rohit S. Chari, India Raglind Binkley, Usa, Katherine Fox, Usa, Gerard Morlais, Canada Asia Donskaya, Russia, Michelle Rosenaur, Usa Michael Grum, usa, Nancy Beres, usa, Chew Hong kor, Malaysia Lee V. Smith, usa, Douglas Le Conte, Canada Robin Boudry, Belgium, Elana Darouze, Sweden |
Prayer offering: Enrico Del Vico, Itlay, Bliss and Wisdom Monastery, Taiwan Menuka Nakarmi, Canada, Sandra Esner, Usa Anne Walter and DGI, usa Yarnei donation (Summer Retreat) Lee Gingsen and Lee Yishiung, Taiwan Lee Kuo Li, Lee Huang Kuei Me, Lee Wu nan, Lee Lin Li hsiang (Taiwan) Lee, Sheng –hsing and Lee Liao Pio, Taiwan Lee, Cheng, Ying and Lee Chung Mei Yu (Taiwan) Lee Ming Yuan and Lee Ya Hui (Taiwan) Thru Colin G. Ferrell, Canada Akasha’ Den Julie Francoeur (Stir it Up!) De Edmondson Tim Ford, Heather Moore, The Donachy family, Colin G. Ferrell |
Food foundation donation: (Taiwan) Tim Chang Zeng Zhi yong Wu Yu Zhen Zeng Guo Cheng Zeng Yu Ling Zeng Yi hong Zeng Wei Sheng Lee Kuo Li and Lee Huang Kuei Men Li Fan chang and family Lee Ying Hui Lee Ming Yuan Thru Tibet fund, Usa Thru Mary J. Pattison, Usa |
Gomang News is published 3 times a
year by Drepung Gomang Administrative Office gomangoffice@yahoo.com