HH17 Karmapa attends Opening of Drubgyud Choeling Monastery, Lumbini, Nepal

His Holiness gives Amitayus Empowerment at opening of Monastery

Drubgyud Choeling Monastery, Lumbini, Nepal, has been officially opened on 21 November 2001, with HH17th Karmapa, Thaye Dorje in attendance. The monastery, which is under Shangpa Rinpoche, is unlike most other monasteries in Lumbini, which cater to the needs of their resident monks. Drubgyud Choeling's objective is to provide an environment in Lord Buddha's birthplace that is beneficial for the pilgrim who wants to enhance his spiritual growth in this special place.

Drubyud Choeling Monastery - enlarge (59kb)

Below the report on the event filed by Shangpa Rinpoche today :

Shangpa Rinpoche : "I'm really pleased to say that the Opening ceremony went very well indeed.

On 20 November, HH 17th Karmapa arrived at Bairahawa airport at 3:30pm.

HH17 Karmapa, at airport VIP lounge
(enlarge - 80kb)

At the airport, HE Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, (one of the highest ranking Sakya Rinpoches, who played a part in the recognition of HH17th Karmapa), many Rinpoches, as well as the Chief District officer and many high government officials welcomed him at the VIP launge.

Arrival at Lumbini of Chogye Trichen Rinpoche from Kathmandu (55kb)

His Holiness, with Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, at the airport VIP lounge ( 54kb)

His Holiness offering Mandala to HE Chogye Tri Rinpoche (66kb)		HE Chogye Tri Rinpoche paying respects to His Holiness (64kb)
HE Chogye Tri Rinpoche offering Mandala (60kb)

At 4:20 HH17th Karmapa reached Drubgyud Choeling monastery, where about 4000- 5000 people, including monks and nuns lined up to receive him.

Lamas eagerly awaiting His Holiness's
arrival (55kb)

Welcoming ceremony lamas, blowing
Gyaling (56kb)

Arrival of HH17 Karmapa at Drubgyud
Choeling Monastery (77kb)

Arrival of His Holiness - people holiding victory banners of Karmapa and musical instruments (82kb)

On entering the main shrine room, His Holiness made three prostration to the shrine, and then took His seat on His throne. The monks and nuns then started to chant auspicious prayers, and Ven Shangpa Rinpoche made offerings of Mandalas, body, speech and mind.

Next day, on the 21 November, at 6:30am, His Holiness, together with many Rinpoches, performed the Consecration Puja and blessed the shrine, as well as monastery.

His Holiness, and all the Rinpoche's during the consecration ceremony (132kb)

His Holiness, during the consecration
ceremony (136kb)

At 9:30am, the official opening ceremony took place. HH HH17th Gyalwa Karmapa, and Mr Balbahadur KC, minister for culture, tourism, civil aviation, together unveiled the curtains and lit the lamps to inaugurate the Monastery. HE Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, HE Beru Khentse Rinpoche and many Rinpoches and Lamas were present throughout. There were about 5000 to 6000 people gethered at the monastery for the ceremonies. The event was broadcast live on the radio for the whole kingdom of Nepal.

When in the shrine room, His Holiness was seat on his high throne, and the Minister for Culture made a Khata offering to HH Karmapa whilst the Sangha of various traditions and schools made prayers to Lord Buddha.

After that, the event moved outside to the large tent, and His Holiness and the other VIP's took their seats on the stage. Mr. Loke Darshan give the first speech and after that the Minister give his speech.

During the opening ceremony, from left to right - Beru Khentse Rinpoche, Chogye Tri Rinpoche, HH Gyalwa Karmapa, Mr. Bal Bahadur KC the minister for culture tourism and civil aviation, Mr Loke Dharshan Chairman for Dharmodaya Sabha, Ven. Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche (74kb)

HH Gyalwa Karmapa then gave his profound speech.

HH17 Karmapa, giving His speech (54kb)

Following His speech, His Holiness and the Minister gave certificates to those who are involved in the monastery works, in recognition of their efforts and generosity.

HH17 Karmapa, giving a plaque to the Minister (65kb)

Please click here to read Shangpa Rinpoches speech at the Opening Ceremony -

"Good morning. A very warm welcome to the His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Trinle Thaye Dorje, supreme head of ..." (click for full text)

VIP's and main guests at Opening
Ceremony (89kb)

~800 Monks and Nuns attended the Opening Ceremony (82kb)

Another view of VIP's and main guests
(81kb)

Audience listenting intentively during the
Opening Ceremony (76kb)

After lunch at 2:30pm, a Lama Dance, Nepali charya Dance, as well as Nepali and Tibetan Folk dances were performed.

Lamas performing Black Hat Dance (69kb)		Lamas of Jangchub Choeling monastery performing drama of Milarepa and Gampopa (102kb) (image © Vienna Dharma Photos)
Lama Dance at the opening ceremony (110kb) (image © Vienna Dharma Photos)

To read Shangpa Rinpoches speech at the Evening Dinner -

"Good evening. A warm welcome to His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, supreme head of the Karma Kagyud Lineage,..." (click for full text)

On 22 November, His Holiness bestowed Dharma teachings and gave the Amitayus (the Buddha of Long Life) initiation to the public.

There were about 6000 people eager to receive the empowerment. The initiation started at 9:00am and finished at 1:30pm.

Buddha Amitayus

Shangpa Rinpoche and Jangchub Choeling Sangha making offerings during Initiation (enlarge - 103kb)		HH17 Karmapa, giving Amitayus initiation (108kb)
Shangpa Rinpoche offering Mandala during Initiation (enlarge - 102kb)

At 8:00pm His Holiness Gyalwa Karmapa gave certificates to those Lamas who had completed their studies at Vikrama Shila Buddhist Institute. Attending the ceremonies were H.E. Beru Khentse Rinpoche, Khenpo Chodrag Tenphel Rinpoche and many other Rinpoches.

HH17 Karmapa, giving certificates
(74kb)

Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini

In the evening of the 22nd, His Holiness, together with the Rinpoches and about 800 Sangha members made aspiration prayers at the Mayadevi Temple where Shakyamuni Buddha was born.

More than 10,000 butter lamps were offered at the ceremony, at which thousands of people were gathered. The Lumbini garden was entirely filled with devotees at that moment.

HH making lamp offering before the Monlam prayer (enlarge - 103kb)

View of the Monlam prayer site
(enlarge - 66kb)

HH17 Karmapa, during Monlam
(enlarge - 107kb)

Aspiration prayers, with more than 10,000 lamp offerings (enlarge - 93kb)

~4,000 people and 800 Sangha attended the aspiration prayers (enlarge - 90kb)

On 23 November, His Holiness visited Kapilavastu, and several other nearby holy places.

Rinpoche and HH at Kapilavastu (enlarge - 53kb)

Loke Dharshan explaining history of Kapilavastu (enlarge - 70kb)

In the evening, representatives from many temples at Lumbini from different countries and traditions invited His Holiness to visit, and to make prayers at their temple."

More news and information from the event:

Apostle of Peace : article on HH17th Karmapa at the opening ceremony, from 'The Kagyu Asia News' section of this website.

Interview with HH17 Karmapa, at Lumbini, from 'The Kagyu Asia News' section of this website.

Updated February 7, 2002