Losar Tashi Delek

It seems Tibetans take every opportunity to have a party. Last few days have been pretty darn cold, heavy rainfall covering the surrounding mountains with big packs of snow. Therefore some fire to keep the outside of the body warm and some spirits to keep the inside of the body warm were much appreciated. Happy new year everyone!

Dani surrounded by one Japanese three Tibetan tanka painters

Visiting Dzongsar shedra

While visiting a friend who studies at Dzongsar Shedra I took the opportunity to take a closer look at this renowned institute.

When entering the main temple or tsuklhakhang, which is of considerable size, I immediatly stumbled upon a life like image of Jamyang Khyentse Chokyi Lodro. Quite impressive!

Inside the temple are huge Rime or non-sectarian tankas of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism. I took a picture of my favorite saint, the lord of all yogis Milarepa:


And then it was time to go and have diner!

Chime Phakma Nyingtik Drupchen Bir dec 2010

Yet again the CPN drupchen was held in Bir by the Choling and Tseringjong monks. It was held in a relatively small temple in OT's house [what would become the CPN shrine in the future], where about 50 monks, one nun (Ani Chokyi), and two laypersons (Dani and me) where seated together with OT. Because Sogyal Rinpoche had indicated he would like to have the drupchen held in Lerab Ling, the three of us made all the effort we could, trying to understand the complete ritual.

Orgyan Tobgyal Rinpoche also addressed the assembly, giving some mikpa (visualisation instructions), but mostly pep-talks to his monks and the agenda for his monks for the coming weeks.

See the video below for some impressions of the drupchen itself




Many of the monks had only 1 day of rest, if at all, after coming back from Taiwan, before the preparations for the drupchen had to be commenced. Monks preparing torma's:

Monk painting the firepit for the Fire puja or Jinsek

Orgyan Tobgyal Rinpoche doing the Jinsek


The Drupchen was to some extent for the long life of Khandro and Sogyal Rinpoche, and thus their longlife prayer was recited twice a day.