Archive for the ‘Ngagyur Nyingma Institute’ Category

Graduation Ceremony at Ngagyur Nyingma Institute

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

Graduates of Ngagyur Nyingma Institute by Lopon Karma Gyatso

Graduates of Ngagyur Nyingma Institute wait in line to receive their degrees

The Sixth Convocation Ceremony of Ngagyur Nyingma Institute was held at Namdroling Monastery on September 3, 2010. The institute confers baccalaureate to doctorate degrees and certificates of achievement to its academic community, and their convocation ceremonies are held in recognition of the institute’s graduates. His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama inaugurated the ceremony by lighting the lamp in front of the main statue of Lord Buddha at the monastery’s Golden Temple.

We were also honored to host the esteemed Head of the Gelugpa Order, His Holiness Ganden Tri Rinpoche, and representatives of Head Lamas from the four Tibetan Buddhist schools as well as the Bonpo sect of Tibet. Government officials, including the Secretary of Higher Education for Karnataka State, and delegates from Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, as well as Bhutan and Nepal, were also among the dignitaries attending the event.

From 2004 to the present, a total of 421 students from the institute were granted certificates acknowledging completion of their postgraduate studies. Of those, 41 graduates were from the Thoesam Gatsel Institute of the Tsogyal Shedrupling Nunnery. The previous convocation of Ngagyur Nyingma Institute took place in 2003, during which Kyabjé Pema Norbu Rinpoche presided. Penor Rinpoche, the Eleventh Throne Holder of the Palyul Lineage, founded Namdroling Monastery in 1963, and Ngagyur Nyingma Institute in 1978. In March 2009, Penor Rinpoche passed into parinirvana.

This year, His Holiness presented the certificates and degrees to graduates. Speaking to the gathered assembly, His Holiness reflected: “Just as Namdroling temple is so immense, the sum total of monks and nuns who study here is also great.” His Holiness recalled Penor Rinpoche’s unstinting generosity and wholehearted dedication to benefitting all beings in every way possible: “Penor Rinpoche gladly offered anyone willing to devote themselves to study and learning at the monastery or its institutes the opportunity to receive an exemplary education.” The many graduates attending the convocation were a testimony to this fact.

We were also reminded of Penor Rinpoche’s all-encompassing pure view, ceaseless hard work and utter perseverance in all he aspired to achieve, and that in his honor it is now our legacy to maintain Rinpoche’s Dharma activity through our own hard work, faith and devotion, so that the Dharma may continue to flourish and benefit many beings.

Classes for the Year at Ngagyur Nyingma Institute

Saturday, June 20th, 2009
Debate on the cool, grassy lawn of Namdroling Monastery

Debate on the cool, grassy lawn of Namdroling Monastery

Ngagyur Nyingma Institute (the Namdroling Shedra, a Buddhist College) started on the 17th of February 1987, inaugurated by His Holiness Penor Rinpoche. In 2009, the Institute graduated 53 new Lopons and enrolled 116 new students. That means that currenty the Shedra is attended by 1012 students.

Inauguration and Consecration of the New Office Building of Ngagyur Nyingma Institute

Sunday, April 26th, 2009
New Office Building for Ngagyur Nyingma Institute
New Office Building for Ngagyur Nyingma Institue

On 26th April 2009, at 8.30 am, Kyabje Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche, Khenchen Pema Sherab along with all the officials of Namdroling Monastery gathered before the new office building of the shedra (Ngagyur Nyingma Institute) and recited the Prayer to the Eight Auspicious Ones before Kyabje Karma Kuchen Rinpoche cut the ribbon to inaugurate the building.

Editorial Offices of the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute

Editorial Offices of the Ngagyur Nyingma Institute

All the dignitaries climbed up to the third floor of the building to enter the new conference hall where Kyabje Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche and Khenchen Pema Sherab lighted the butter lamp.

As soon as everyone was seated, the General Secretary of Ngagyur Nyingma Institute introduced the proceedings of the inauguration.  After that, the Prayer to the Eight Auspicious Ones, The Prayer to fulfill all Aspirations and The Prayer to Pacify all Obstacles were carried out together in the hall before the tea and sweet rice (desi) were served to all.

At this time, the Treasurer of NNI read out the statement of audit that clarified the income and expenditure for the new building.

Rabne, or consecration, of shrine in new shedra buildling

Rabne, or consecration, of shrine in new shedra buildling

The Rabne or the consecration ceremony of the three statues at the altar of the conference hall was carried out by HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche, Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche and Khenchen Pema Sherab.

Ngagyur Nyingma Institute

Ngagyur Nyingma Institute

Shedra staff project manager receiving white kata in thanks

Shedra staff project manager receiving white kata in thanks

HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche then bestowed gifts and khatas as a token of gratitude to Lama Dhondup Dorje, the sponsor of the building, as well as to other Indian architects who were involved in the construction.

HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche (center), HE Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche (left) and Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche (right)

HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche (center), HE Mugsang Kuchen Rinpoche (left) and Khenchen Pema Sherab Rinpoche (right)

Khenchen Pema Sherab and HH Karma Kuchen Rinpoche then gave speeches of thanks and advice to all those who were gathered for the smooth functioning of the building.

The inauguration ended after the vote of thanks by the President of NNI, Khenpo Khyentse Norbu and visit to all the different offices within the building.

Lunch was served to all at the new canteen which is situated in the ground floor of the new building.

Written by the Editorial Committee of Ngyagyur Nyingma Institute; translation by Lopon Sonam Tsewang.