Here at Sarnath International Nyingma Institute, we started the celebration with the Vice Chancellor of Centre Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS) Varanasi, Prof. Wangchuk Dorji Negi, joining us as the Chief Guest for the first session of the program. We also had other important guests from nearby Sangha communities, like Bhikku Chamdima, Chief Priest of Dhamma Learning Center, and the Chief Priest of Mahabodhi Society of India Sarnath.
We had monks join from Vajra Vidya Institute, Nyingma Gompa, and Lhadhan Chotrul Monlam Chenmo Trust (Tibetan Temple), as well as monks from the nearby Theravada Sangha community, Thai Temple, Sri Lanka Temple, Dhamma Learning Centre, and Mahabodhi Society of India.
Three prayers were held. The assembly chanted “Verses of the Eight Noble Auspicious Ones” followed by Rinpoche’s long life prayers and the cutting of the cake. Tea and dresil (a festive sweet rice) were served. We then had Tsog Puja (ceremony) prayers with attendance of around 200 people joining the prayer from different Sangha communities along with around 30 students from the nearby Tibetan University (CIHTS).
The program concluded with everyone coming together to enjoy Tibetan and Indian dishes for lunch. It was beautiful to have all the Sangha communities came together to pray for the Rinpoche’s long life.
