News and Teachings
Mindrolling News
Teachings by H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche
March 2008
Mindrolling Rituals Manual

For the very first time in Mindrolling History, the Mindrolling Compositional and Editorial committee will be printing a complete manual of seven volumes on Mindrolling Rituals. It will include Minling Dorsem (Vajrasattuva), Kagyed Drubchen, Yamantaka Drupchen, Phurpa (Vajrakilaya) Drupchen, She Tro by Lochen Dharmashiri, Tsog Chen Dhupa, Mindrolling Protector (Ngodrub Roltso), Rigzin Thug Thig, Thugje Chenpo, and Nara Dongtru as well as several shorter pujas. A complete Torma manual with very precise details and high resolution photos to illustrate the specific colors of each torma will replace the current instructional publication.


Umdze Tsultrim

Umdze Jamphel Sheyen

This manual has been made possible after two years of careful guidance by Mindrolling’s two main Umdzes (chant leaders), Umdze Jampel Sheyen and Umdze Tsultrim. The new edition is based on the old handwritten manual. It will explain how to perform the rituals, how to make the offerings, where each of the offerings should be placed, as well as which musical instruments should be used when and where for a particular ritual (puja). The seven-volume manual will be offered to the monks for the ease of performing complete Mindrolling rituals properly.

December 29, 2007
College Annual Examination

The annual examination for the monks of Ngagyur Nyingma College has completed. Many monks will now prepare to depart for the annual Nyingmapa World Peace Prayer (Monlam Chenmo) being held in Bodhgaya. The event will last for 10 days.


July-September, 2007
Yarne, The Summer Retreat

The 45 days of Yarne, our summer retreat during the rainy season, began at 5:00 am on July 30th and concluded on September 11th. Khenpos and Lonpons gave teachings each day. This was followed by a 3-5 day holiday break for the monks.

Yarne is a principal monastic rite which has continued since Buddha's time. It is held in the summer during the rainy season and is commonly known as the "Summer" or "Rain" Retreat. Yarne lasts for 45 days, from the 15th day of the 6th lunar month to the 30th day of the 7th lunar month of the Tibetan calendar. The retreat is held in accordance with the instructions of the Buddha in the Vinaya Sutra directing all monks to observe certain restrictions and engage themselves in meditation and practices for this period. ‘Sojong’ or confessions are offered by the sangha on two occasions during this retreat. On the evening of the 30th, the last day of the retreat, selected monks give teachings and expound the Dharma to the community. Many butter lamps are offered and pujas are done during the retreat.


July 8-15, 2007
Long Life Ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama

H.E. Trulshig Rinpoche, H.E. Khochen Rinpoche, H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche and 35 monks went to Dharmsala to represent Mindrolling for the Long Life Ceremony for His Holiness the Dalai Lama.




It was held in the palace of His Holiness. It began on July 8th and ended on July 15th. On the final day of the ceremony, all of the main high Nyingma Teachers, H.H. Penor Rinpoche, H.H. Dhujom Rinpoche, H.H. Khenste Rinpoche, H.E. Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche and many others came to offer the Long Life Offerings to His Holiness.


May 2, 2007
Ngagyur Nyingma College Graduation

Twenty-three students graduated as Lopons from the Shedra.

H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche, H.E. Trulshig Rinpoche, H.E. Khochen Rinpoche


The graduation certificates were given to the students by H.E. Trulshig Rinpoche. The Lopon is a degree given after nine years of rigorous studies which includes the studies of Vinaya (monastic disciplines), Abhidharma (metaphysics), Sutra (discourses) and Mantrayana with each of these having its introductory, intermediate and advance levels. After completing the nine years, monks have to take up three years of voluntary teaching, management or research work at the Institute. Following that, only outstanding monks are awarded with the title of Khenpo. This year thirty-four new monks were admitted in the Shedra after their entrance examination.


May 2007
Travel to Bhutan

H.E. Khenchen Rinpooche traveled to Bhutan to evaluate the progress of the Retreat Center project. He gave teachings while he was there.



March/April 2007
H.E. Trulshig Rinpoche Conducted Wang Ceremonies

H.E. Trulshig Rinpoche conducted the Wang ceremonies and empowerments from the Termas particular to Mindrolling’s Lineage which comprises Lama, Yidam, Dakini and procter practices.


H.E. Trulshig Rinpoche directed the annual Tsechu ceremony beginning with the annual Lama Dance of Guru Rinpoche's eight manifestations and the next day bestowed the Long Life empowerment to the monks, nuns, and many people from different settlements of the Tibetan community in Mindrolling Monastery. The next day were the empowerments by H.E. Trulshig Rinpoche from the termas including the Red Chenrize empowerment. These ceremonies continued for 37 days and were held inside the stupa.


January 2007
Nyingma Monlam Chenmo

All the senior monks of Mindrolling attended the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo in Bodh Gaya again this year starting on the 28th of January. The Nyingma Monlam is an annual gathering of thousands of monks, nuns, and lay people from all over the world. The majority are from the Nyingma monasteries of India, Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan. This very sacred gathering offers ten days of prayers for World Peace and the liberation of all sentient beings.




The Nyingma Monlam Chenmo is also known as the Great World Peace Prayer Meeting and has been held annually since 1989 in Bodh Gaya, the place where Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment. It is the most sacred and holy place of pilgrimage for all Buddhists. Food and accommodation is provided to all by the Monlam Chenmo Organization, which is run on donations received from the people.

H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche, as Vice President of Monlam Chenmo Organization, will sponsor the Prayers in 2008, 2010, and 2011. H.H. Penor Rinpoche has sponsored these World Peace Prayers for the past three years of 2005, 2006, and 2007. In prior years, H.E. Dharthang Rinpoche from California has been the sponsor.
 Available Now
Recorded Teachings by His Eminence

Recordings of teachings given by H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche in the last 5 to 6 years are available on DVD, VCD, CD, & cassettes. Please click here for more information.


May 2007
Long Life Empowerment in Bhutan

While in Thimpu, Bhutan, H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche gave the Long Life empowerment and later that evening, the community organized a cultural dance for him. H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche gave the Chenrize empowerment and later gave teachings on the Four Noble Truths at the National Hall. He said that Bhutan is truely the land blessed by Guru Rinpoche (other than Tibet) and that the Bhutanese are so dedicated to Dharma.




April 2007
Terchen Kabum Oral Transmission

H.E. Khenchen Rinpooche gave the Terchen Kabum oral transmission to several monks from Kham, in Eastern Tibet. Terchen Kabum is Terdak Lingpa's collection of teachings, which has his termas and numerous other precious teachings that were on the brink of being lost. The teachings contain expositions for the branches of studies of Tibetan Buddhism in 16 volumes of 300-400 pages each.
College News, Teachings, & Events - 2005/2006
November 2006
Smoke Offering in Bolder, CO

H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche was invited to Boulder, Colorado during his visit to the United States in 2006. Amoung other events, he conducted a smoke offering.





October 2006
Vajravarahi Empowerment in Mount Shasta

H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche was also invited to Mount Shasta, California to teach on Vajravarahi.

Vajravarahi Empowerment, Initiation, and Oral Transmission

H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche taught the terma version given to him in his first Mindrolling Khenchen birth as Tenpei Nyima, 360 years ago.

Smoke Offering in Mount Shasta

Hanging Prayer Flags on Mount Shasta


October 2006
Los Angeles, CA

H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche began his United States 2006 visit in Los Angeles.


September 2006
Teachings on ‘Yontendzo’ & ‘ Sangwa Nyingpo’ texts

H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche resumed the transmission and explanation of the ‘Yontendzo’ and ‘ Sangwa Nyingpo’ texts which he had begun last year at the college.


April 2006
Bhutan Visit

H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche was invited to Bhutan for 10 days. During the visit, he gave teachings and empowerments. He also visited a few holy places.

H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche
Buddhist students from the USA are honored to meet with
H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche and receive his blessings.


February 2006
Teaching on the Mādhyamika-śāstra in Taiwan




H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche gave a teaching on the Mādhyamika-śāstra (Treatise on the Middle Way) in Taiwan.