Geshe Lharampa Yonten Dhamchoe:  the 79^th Abbot 

(Khen Rinpoche) 

of Drepung Gomang Monastery
South India

The Abbot (Khen Rinpoche) term is for six years.  After every six years,a list of nominees for a new Abbot is gathered from the monks during the congregation.  This list  is submitted to His Holiness the Dalai Lama via the Department of Religion and Culture. His Holiness the Dalai Lama has now appointed Geshe Lharampa Yonten Dhamchoe as the 79^th Abbot of Drepung Gomang Monastery, South India.  

Born at Amdo Taktsang Lhamo (Tibet) in 1940, Geshe Lharampa Yonten Dhamchoe escaped to India after the invasion of Tibet by China in 1959.  He is one of the 60 monks who reestablished the monastery here at its present location after shifting from Buxar. Day and night,  he and other monks worked hard in the field for crops, meanwhile writing texts and scriptures so as to provide monastic education to young monks who enrolled during that time.  They wished that the study of the monks would continue without hindrance and that the traditional monastic curriculum survives.

Geshe Lharampa Yonten Dhamchoe
79th Abbot of Drepung Gomang Monastery
 

Welcoming New Abbot to Prayer Hall	Handing over the Charges to New Abbot by Outgoing Abbot

Monastery Director Offering Mandala to New Abbot	Monks Offering Prayer Scarf to New Abbot

Monks Offering Katas to New Abbot	Customary Supervision of Debate

Geshe  Lharampa Yonten Dhamchoe

Conferred the title of Geshe Lharampa in 1984 after passing the Gelug University Examination with great results, Geshe-la has spent many hours of his day teaching the Buddhist sutras to the monks of this monastery.

Saka Dawa, the 4^th month of Tibetan Calendar is considered very auspicious as it is the month of Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Paranirvana (passing away). It is a particularly auspicious time to engage in spiritual practice since any practice we do this month is multiplied a thousandfold. On the full moon day of this month, people visit the temples, the make offerings to the monasteries, give alms on the streets, and circumambulate the temples and monasteries.

Monks Lighting Candles at Saka Dawa

Monday, 6 July 2009, 3:49 p.m.

 
His Holiness in Delhi at His Birthday Celebration, July 6, 2009

New Delhi: His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader, on his 74th birthday celebration on Monday said he is promoting secular values and a philosophy of humanities as preached by Mahatma Gandhi when he is travelling to different countries--rather than propagating Buddhism.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama also echoed the secular thoughts of Gandhi, saying secularism doesn't mean rejection of religion but it means respect for religion and even respect for non-believers.

"When I visited different countries in these years, I have not promoted or propagated Buddhism as said by many, but harmony, humanity and spirituality," His Holiness said on the occasion which also marks the 50 years of his Holiness in India.

"I am promoting secular values, a message of love, compassion, dignity, spirit of common values and harmony as has been promoted by great thinkers," His Holiness said.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama also said that Buddhism is not only about reciting from scriptures and practicing it, but getting into the principals of the religion and the value it promotes.

"We have to make Buddhism relevant in our life ...and why it is not much relevant (is) due to lack of knowledge," His Holiness said.

Commenting on the socio-religious changes Tibet is undergoing, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said "The region is passing through difficult times and Buddhism is not being promoted in the way it used to be before."

"There is a steady depletion of the religion and our aim is to preserve and promote the religion. We need to work in the direction to strengthen Buddhism in Tibet and all over the Himalayan nations," His Holiness said.

Looking back at his 50 years in India, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said "My life has not been a 'waste' and I received chances to learn from religious leaders, scientists, politicians, businessman, ordinary people whom I had met in all these years."

"From meeting these people, I have developed a certain vision for life," His Holiness said.

Striking an emotional chord with the audience, most of whom were Tibetans from Himachal Pradesh and other parts of the country, the spiritual leader said he is sure he will celebrate his 100th birthday.

"Through all your wishes, I will live longer. I do not know whether I can live for thousands years, but I am sure I will stay alive until I am 100 years old," His Holiness said.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama also thanked India for whatever it has given to him in all these 50 years of exile.

The function was also attended by former President A P J Abdul Kalam, who spelt out his vision of 2030 -- when the country would be free of economic poverty and water crisis.

The function was organised by Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association, Delhi in collaboration with All Buddhist Organisation of Himalayan Region.

Projects of Drepung Gomang Monastery & Wish List