Pig-Year Teachings in Ladakh, 2007
Ladakh, also know as “Little Tibet,” located in the Indian Himalayas, is a dry inhabited place at the altitude of 3,600 meters. The inhabitants living under such extreme conditions are mostly believers of Tibetan Buddhism.
In mid August, 2007, the great Pig Year teachings, held every 12 years, took place at the Phyang Monastery in Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Being one of the 3 greatest events of Drikung Kagyu, the great Pig Year teachings commemorate the birth of Lord Jigten Sumgon in the pig year. His Holiness Chetsang personally presided over the teachings, conforming to the Drikung tradition.
At invitation of Choeje Togden Rinpoche, the abbot of the Phyang Monastery, His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche led nearly 300 disciples to the occasion. During the teachings, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche always accompanied His Holiness closely and received a lot of privileges. Many believers of Drikung Kagyu flocked around Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche requesting blessings. It was a once-a-lifetime opportunity for the believers to see a rinpoche in person, and they treasured it with utmost reverence.
In addition, on the afternoon of the first day of the teachings, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, along with his disciples, took a 3-hour round trip on the bumpy roads of Leh to pay homage to the holy place of Alchi. All of the accompanying disciples were amazed at the rare and unique causes.
On the morning of August 23, H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche arrived in Leh. All the way from the airport to the Phyang Monastery, the procession is welcomed ardently by the locals on both sides of the road.
At the beginning of the teachings, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche makes full prostrations before His Holiness with utmost gratitude and reverence.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche offers mandala to His Holiness on behalf of all sentient beings.
On the afternoon of the first day of the teachings, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, along with his disciples, takes a 3-hour round trip on the bumpy roads of Leh to pay homage to the holy place of Alchi.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche travels to the holy place of Alchi.
Back at the hotel, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche still gives individual blessings to the believers, regardless of the fatigue of the trip.
On the second day of the teachings, all listens attentively to the words of His Holiness.
Choeje Togden Rinpoche presents Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche with a drum and an antique set of a bell and a vajra.
It takes an accumulation of the merits and causes during numerous lives to see a virtuous practitioner in person. The believers virtually run toward Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche for the once-a-lifetime opportunity.
On that afternoon, the local people present traditional songs and dances to express their appreciation.
Choeje Togden Rinpoche personally welcomes H.H. Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang and His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche to the Phyang Monastery.
A huge poster at the hotel welcoming His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche on the Dharma seat at the Phyang Monastery.
Ranking among the 3 largest Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, the Phyang Monastery is an important city for the Drikung Kagyu lineage for more than 400 years.
Concerned about the disciples’ health conditions, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche himself pays visits to other hotels on foot in the evening. The believers along the way take the rare opportunity to pray for his blessings.
His Holiness instructs Choeje Togden Rinpoche to show Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche the holy relics, which are opened up once every 12 years. The lama, carrying the box of holy relics in hands reverently, walks into the main hall.
Thanks to their Guru His Eminence Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche, the disciples of Glorious Jewel Buddhist Center have the auspicious conditions to circumambulate and view the holy relics in the holy box. All disciples feel gratitude for their Guru Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche.
On the first day, Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche leads nearly 300 disciples to attend the great Pig Year teachings, held every 12 years. Upon H.H.’s arrival at the venue, Rinpoche, along with his disciples, greets His Holiness’ arrival reverently.
His Holiness instructs Choeje Togden Rinpoche to show Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche the holy relics, which are opened up once every 12 years. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is looking on the holy relics together with Choeje Togden Rinpoche.
His Holiness instructs Choeje Togden Rinpoche to show Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche the holy relics, which are opened up once every 12 years. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is looking on the holy relics together with Choeje Togden Rinpoche.
His Holiness instructs Choeje Togden Rinpoche to show Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche the holy relics, which are opened up once every 12 years. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is looking on the holy relics together with Choeje Togden Rinpoche.
His Holiness instructs Choeje Togden Rinpoche to show Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche the holy relics, which are opened up once every 12 years. Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche is looking on the holy relics together with Choeje Togden Rinpoche.
His Holiness instructs Choeje Togden Rinpoche to show Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche the holy relics, which are opened up once every 12 years.
His Holiness instructs Choeje Togden Rinpoche to show Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche the holy relics, which are opened up once every 12 years. When the box of holy relics is opened, Choeje Togden Rinpoche makes prayer in front of the holy relics.
His Holiness instructs Choeje Togden Rinpoche to show Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche the holy relics, which are opened up once every 12 years. When the box of holy relics is opened, Choeje Togden Rinpoche and Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche make prayer in front of the holy relics.
His Holiness bestows dharma talks upon the attendees. Choeje Togden Rinpoche sits on the right hand side of His Holiness while Rinchen Dorjee Rinpoche sits on the left hand side.
Updated on September 3, 2010