Mindrolling News - 2007

	Since the inaugration of Mindrolling's branch monastery in the north of New Delhi in 2005, Khenpos from the Shedra have been in charge (head). Khenpo Tsegyal is currently head of the monastery. The first to be in charge of the monastery was Khenpo Wangchuck who stayed there for seven months, then Khenpo Lhatse was in charge. While staying at the branch monastery, those who are in charge give teachings, hold ceremonies and also take care of administrative affairs. There are seven other monks who also stay at the monastery.
July 30, 2007	The Rain Retreat (Yarne) began at 5:00 AM. The rain retreat lasts for one and a half months, 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.
July 8-15, 2007	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	Twenty-three students graduated as Lopons from the Shedra. 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 diciplines), 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.
	H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche, H.E. Trulshig Rinpoche, H.E. Khochen Rinpoche
March/April 2007	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.

Teachings by H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche - 2007 Teachings given in the last 5 to 6 years are Available Now (DVD, VCD, CD, & cassettes) December 23-29, 2007 H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche will teach "Buddhist - Level II" in Bhutan at the Bhutan Winter Buddhist Retreat. A Tibetan to English translator will be present. May 2007 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 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. Events of H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche - 2007 May 2007 H.E. Khenchen Rinpooche traveled to Bhutan to evaluate the progress of the Retreat Center project. He gave teachings while he was there (please see above). March 2007 H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche made a one week visit to Switzerland for puja. March 2007 The Annual Magazine of the Ngagyur Nyingma College was published. February 2007 Tibetan Year 2134 Female Fire Pig Year Losar Ceremonies - week of February 18 H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche sends best wishes and Tashi Deleg for the Losar. January 2007 All the senior monks of Mindrolling attended the Nyingma Mönlam in Bodhgaya starting on the 28th of January. The Nyingma Mönlam is an annual gathering of approximately seven thousand monks and nuns, mainly 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. H.E. Khenchen Rinpoche, as Vice President of Monlam Chenmo Organization, will sponsor the Prayers in 2008, 2010, and 2011. Mindrolling College News, Teachings, and Events - Prior to 2007 November 2006 Boulder, CO USA Smoke Offering October 2006 Mount Shasta, CA USA 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. October 2006 Los Angeles, CA USA September 2006 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. The Nyingma Monlam Chenmo also known as the Great World Peace Prayer Meeting has been held annually since 1989 in Bodh Gaya, the place where Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment and which is the most sacred and holy place of Pilgrimage for all Buddhists. This prayer meeting lasts for a duration of 10 days and attended by approximately 40 to 50 thousand monks, nuns and as well as lay people from all over the world. Food and accommodation is provided to all by the Monlam Chenmo Organization. This organization is run on donation received from the people. The last few years Dharthang Rinpoche from California has sponsored this prayer meeting. H.H. Penor Rinpoche sponsored the World Peace Prayers for the three years of 2005, 2006, and 2007. April 2006 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. More Mindrolling College News...2005/2006 Khenpo Wangchuk, Khenpo Tsegyal, Khenpo Pema Gyaltsen and Khenpo Gyurmed Sherab who graduated in 2004 from Mindrolling College will now take their respective positions as teachers in the college or in the administration of Mindrolling. After the annual holidays, the new college term commenced on 31st May 2006. Admission tests were held for new student monks. This year 8 monks graduated from the college and thus became qualified Lopons. They are Tulku Drakpa Gyaltsen from Tibet, Pema Tashi from Tibet, Palden Phunsholk from Bhutan, Choeying Khunchab from Bhutan, Jinba Tharchin from Bhutan, Ngawang Nyendrak from Tibet and Pema Wozer from Bhutan. Lopon is a title given to a monk who has gone through rigorous monastic studies for 9 years in the college. The nine years study includes Vinaya (Buddhist discipline), philosophy, logic, psychology, debate, Tibetan literature, Buddhist history and Tantras. This curriculum covers all the three vehicles (Tripitakas) of Tibetan Buddhism, which are Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. After attaining this title the monk has to undergo a 3 year teacher’s training in Buddhist text and writing skills. The first year will involve training (theory) in teaching Buddhist texts, the second year on development of written skills and third year in practical training i.e. teaching Buddhist texts to the monks in the college. During the 3 years of training the Lopons will be under strict supervision. After the completion of 3 years training, he will appear for the final exam in order to graduate as a Khenpo (Abbot). The final decision in the selection of the new Khenpo will be made by our Chief Patron H.H. the Dalai Lama, H.H. Mindrolling Trichen Rinpoche and by authorized members of Mindrolling.The selection process will be based on the candidate’s commitment to the Buddha Dharma, the number of empowerments, oral transmissions and teachings he has received, his personal conduct, his skills in teaching, in debate and writing. Khenpo Tsewang Rigzin and Khenpo Jamphal Tsering, both accomplished teachers, will now be assisted by the Lopons. The Mindrolling monastery in New Delhi will be supervised by Khenpo Wangchuk for seven months. On May 1st 2006, Khenpo Tsegyal attended a meeting held in Dharamsala. Khenpo Pema Gyalsten will attend the meeting in Dharamsala on behalf of Ven. Khenchen Rinpoche in June 2006. Last year, in response to requests from various monasteries in India, Bhutan, Nepal and a few Buddhist Centers in Asia, The Mindrolling College has provided and commissioned the total of seven teachers to them. This year we have invited two teachers from Dharamsala to specially teach Tibetan Grammar and poetry.