News

Send by Tempa Lama on September 4th, 2015

On the 29th August the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Orgyen Thrinley Dorje kindly gave the opportunity for a private audience to the Benchen Sangha at 12:45am in Bonn, Germany. The audience had 186 participants.

First Gyalwang Karmapa told everyone to have a seat. His Holiness, then said: "Oh, so many of you came this time" and mentioned that he is happy because he sees harmony in the Benchen sangha. Next, His Holiness spoke about Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche and how he did not only have a dharmic guru-disciple relationship but that he strongly felt a human connection towards Rinpoche with love and care.

Then His Holiness said that last year he almost made an announcement regarding Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche's rebirth. However, he did not make it because it was not the right moment. We all should not worry, we will meet him soon.

On the 30th His Holiness publicly said that he has a great hope and prayer that we will soon meet with the reincarnation of Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche.

Send by Tempa Lama on August 23, 2015

Drubwang Sangye Nyienpa Rinpoche’s visit to Tibet is completed. Rinpoche arrived in Hong Kong, now he is on the way to Europe. Everything is very fine.

Here are some recent pictures from Benchen Phuntsok Dargyeling.

The pictures show the repairs of the Shakyamuni shrine hall. On top is Karmapa’s room which is used throughout the restoration process. The monks are doing their Summer Retreat (Yarne) practices in Karmapa’s room on top of the Shakyamuni shrine hall.

The next picture show the repairs of Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche’s old house and the progress at the Maitreya hall. Overall the restoration of the damaged buildings is going well.

Update from Benchen Committee Members July 7, 2015
Sherab Wangchuck sent youtube video on the occasion

This year the joyous celebration of H.H. Gyalwa Karmapa's birthday took place with H.E Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche and all the Benchen monks, who gathered at Banchen Nangten Thoesum Ling Shedra in Pharping.  This year H.H. Karmapa's birthday was particularly auspicious as it coincided with the Guru Rinpoche day of the fifth month of the Tibetan lunar calendar.  The ceremony started with prayers to Shakyamuni Buddha and the puja of The 16 Arhats.  H.E. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche then made a mandala offering and the body, speech and mind offering to H.H. Karmapa.  Following this the Khenpos, Dorje Lopons, other monks and lay sangha all made khatak offerings to the beautiful photograph of the 17th Karmapa.  This was placed in front of the newly consecrated statue of H.H. 16th Karmapa in the Shedra.

Tsasum Drildrub Empowerment by HE Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche to the Lamas of Karma Kagyu monasteries in Nepal 7 June 2015.

During HE Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche's recent Dharma tour in Bhutan, he received a telephone call and later a letter from Gyuto Monastery where HH Karmapa is residing.  Rinpoche was asked to bestow the Tsasum Drildrub empowerment which is according to the pure vision of Rangjung Dorje, the 3rd Karmapa.  Tsasum Drildrub is a combined practice of the 3 Roots (the Lama, the Yidam and the Dharma protector) and is within the Rinchen Terdzod collection.

HE Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche gave this empowerment a few days after his return to Nepal.

The Tenshuk offering ceremony for the long life of the Masters will be performed in Bodhgaya at the end of this year.   According to the wishes of HH Karmapa, Rinpoche requested all the Lamas who had attended this empowerment to engage in the practice effectively, by keeping practice sessions and accumulating 400 000 mantras or to at least complete 100 000 mantras.

The empowerment was bestowed at Benchen Nangten Thoesam Ling Shedra in Pharping.

Sherab Wangchuk of Benchen Phuntsok Dargyeling monastery send this on June 25, 2015

He included the following youtube link on the occasion:

H.E. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche - Tsasum Drildrub Wang

Today, 26. June, His Holiness the XVII Gyalwa Karmapa's birthday, the Benchen Monastery Community together with Drubwang Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche celebrated the occasion in the Parphing Shedra at around 10am.

Received June 11, 2015

 On the 27th May 2015 on behalf of the Benchen Community I had been to Delhi to welcome His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa, who came back from his Trip to the USA, and pay respect and congratulate for having received the honorary doctor degree.
His Holiness sent many thanks to the Benchen Community monks from Swayambhu and Parphing for doing a very good job distributing relief materials such as food, water, medical care, and tents and clearing rubble from collapsed houses, etc. His Holiness really appreciated all the work and support from our friends all over the world.

Namaste,
Tempa

This year's anniversary of Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche's parinirvana falls on 27. March 2015, corresponding to the eighth day of the second month of the Tibetan calendar. Prior to that date on the 24.-26. in the Benchen monastery in Swoyambhu the monks here together with our shedra monks are going to practice White Tara puja in dedication to Rinpoche's swift return, as instructed by His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa.
On the 27th, the day of the parinirvana anniversary, here at the monastery we will practice White Tara puja, offer many butterlamps, make Tsok offerings and in the evening we will make Guru Yoga puja.
On that day it would be good if our sangha and whoever feels connected to Kyabje Tenga Rinpoche could do practice and mingle their minds with Rinpoche's enlightened mind.

Namaste, Tempa

Please click on the pictures taken during the parinirvana anniversary celebration in Benchen Monastery  to start the slide show.

On the 22. February 2015 in the late afternoon our senior monks' English teacher Marilyn "Pema" Jones passed away due to kidney
failure. She was connected to the Benchen Monastery for many many years and much devoted to both of our Rinpoches.
Right after that we sent a message to Drubwang Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche requesting prayers for her. Also the Benchen lamas made Powa for her and wonderful signs showed. (Please click on any picture to start the slide show.)