October 27th, 2020 |
Published in
NEWS
| Rabjam Rinpoche has dedicated his life to preserving and propagating the teachings of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and is ensuring that these precious teachings survive far into the future.
During the last few months, Rabjam Rinpoche has been in Bhutan editing and completing the unfinished writings of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Some of his original terma did not have instructions on how to practice and perform the empowerments and now they are complete.
Before giving the actual transmission of these additions, Rinpoche made offerings in front of Khyentse Rinpoche’s relics for seven days at Satsam Chorten. On the 29th Parinirvana Anniversary of Khyentse Rinpoche Rabjam Rinpoche offered some of these newly written transmissions to our nuns, monks, and khenpos in Bhutan.
Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche is well and continues to stay in Singapore close to his ailing father. For the past several years Rinpoche has been teaching a seminar each October in Croatia. This year’s seminar was cancelled, but Rinpoche kindly accepted Shechen Croatia’s invitation to teach publicly online on October 10. Please see the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watchv=qEMedVGM1sM&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1WUQyJLEB2BRMeGYXjji4AAJ_3z-2JEnVL5656EZaoFYinm0ElyGEJbaA |
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Shechen has two nunneries in Bhutan: Shechen Urgyen Chodzong near Paro, is home to the majority of our nuns and has a shedra (philosophical college) and retreat center. A larger temple is presently under construction, sponsored by a generous donor and Rabjam Rinpoche. Seven nuns recently finished the nunnery’s 4th three-year retreat . Rabjam Rinpoche presided over the retreat’s concluding ceremonies for this inspiring group of strong, dedicated women (see photo above with their long hair just when they left the retreat).
Our smaller nunnery, located in the secluded Valley of the Cranes, is where the younger nuns aged 5-14 live and study under the supervision of senior nuns. |
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Shechen Education and Ceremonies Continue
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In spite of Nepal and Bhutan being under months of lockdown, our nuns and monks continue to exhibit their characteristic resilience and are thriving. Shechen is maintaining its normal schedules as much as possible within carefully planned health guidelines and restrictions.
When the lockdown first started, most of the children and monks were in their homes for Spring break. The majority of the shedra (college) monks are at home in Bhutan, and this summer moved to Rabjam Rinpoche’s compound in Satsam Chorten. They do not want to waste this precious time and diligently continue their studies and practice. The forty monks who remained in Nepal attend classes, perform daily ceremonies, and fulfill prayer requests.
This summer the monks held their annual summer retreats (yarne) as usual. In Nepal, that included the yarne sports tournaments for both the children and older monks! (see photos). The nuns in Bhutan also conducted their own yarne and drupchos (shorter drupchens). |
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Shechen School (for monks aged 5 to 17) has risen to the Covid challenge by presenting online classes. Our school principal trained the teachers on how to teach on-line and the school now conducts 35 online classes a day.
Most of the180 students are still at home and those who have internet access in or near their homes continue to study by joining classes online. The seventy children who remained at the school are attending classes, both virtually and in-person (for monastic studies). Results from the first online government exams were excellent. |
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Readers Alert! Recent Publications
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Lion of Speech: The Life of Mipham Rinpoche A biography of Mipham the Great written by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche that was lost for many decades. The book also includes teachings by Mipham Rinpoche. https://www.shambhala.com/lion-of-speech-15527.html
Our Animal Neighbors. A storybook for children about the fundamental connection between animals and people. Text by Matthieu Ricard
https://www.shambhala.com/our-animal-neighbors-15425.htmlFreedom for All of Us: A Monk, a Philosopher, and a Psychiatrist on Finding Inner Peace . A dialogue with Matthieu Ricard, Christophe André, and Alexandre Jollien
https://www.soundstrue.com/products/freedom-for-all-of-us
The Emanated Scripture of Manjurshri: Essential Teachings of Shabkar
Meditation. Translated by Shechen monk, Sean Price.
https://www.shambhala.com/the-emanated-scriptures-of-manjusri.html
We hope you will enjoy these inspiring publications!
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***Moving Forward Together***
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| We encourage more of our friends and donors to become an annual sponsor of a child or a nun. This wonderful program has been in effect since 1985 and helps the monastery support all its monks and nuns. Presently, less than one quarter of them have sponsors.
You can join us and become part of the Shechen sponsor-family. Sponsorships remain at $250 per year, or for monthly donors, $20 per month. Click here for more information: SPONSORSHIP |
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| We are deeply grateful for your concern and generosity. You make all the above activities possible and sustain the vision of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.Your support helps us to perpetuate a compassionate tradition and way of life, one that the world clearly needs now more than ever!
With our appreciation and warmest wishes and prayers,
Dilgo Khyentse Fellowship
Shechen Nuns and Monks
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Thank you
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