Tagtser Rinpoche (Thubten Norbu)

The office in the monastery was closed for two days, and two-day prayer sessions were held at the Prayer Hall Temple as a mark of respect to Taktser Rinpoche who passed away at the age of 86 at Bloomington, Indiana, USA on September 5, 2008. He was an alumnus of Drepung Gomang Monastery and the eldest brother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Taktser Rinpoche-- also known as Professor Thupten J. Norbu-- was an advocate for the protection of the Tibetan culture and the rights of the Tibetan people. He participated in and initiated many Independence Walks and Cycle Rides to raise an awareness of Tibetan issues. The monastery and its monks will always cherish its special relationship with Taktser Rinpoche. May his reincarnation appear soon in this world.

The family members of the late Taktser Rinpoche: his widow, Mrs. Kunchok Yankey-la (Kunyang- la) and his sons: Mr. Lhundup Norbu-la, Mr. Kunga Norbu-la and Mr. Jigme Norbu-la were accompanied by Mr. Brent Woodhall (documentary film maker) when they visited India to make offerings to various monasteries and temples. They visited Drepung Gomang Monastery on 11th October –15th October 08 and made offerings at various monasteries and khangtsens here, as well as at monasteries in Bylakupee.

With Khen Rinpoche (Abbot) Geshe Lobsang Samten and Monastery Directors (Chanzoe)

Prayer Offering Ceremony in Drepung Gomang Prayer Hall

Group Picture Taken at Drepung Gomang Institute
standing: Jigdal, Phuntsok, Geshe Kalsang (DGI Coordinator), Soepa, Sangyal
seated: Geshe Lobzang Samdup (Tour Leader), Ngawang Gyatso (Translator)

With the kind assistance and guidance from our USA Center, Drepung Gomang Institute and its Board of Directors, the monastery was able to send four monks to the United States as a part of the monastery’s tour group. After the monks visit the Center and other areas in Louisville, the National Coordinator, Sue Simone, will once again coordinate the Monks’ tour throughout the different states in the United States.

On the first day, the 15th, two piles of sticks are placed in the prayer hall. The pile of longer sticks is for "Gelung" monks (monks who have taken the full 253 vows), and the pile of shorter sticks is for "Getsuls" (monks with only 36 or 58 vows). In the days before registers and official census taking, this was the method to make a reckoning of the annual number of Gelong (monk who have full ordination) and Getsuls (novice ordination) in the main monasteries. Following this ceremony, the monks make prostrations to senior monks, vowing to abide by the Yarney promises for the 45 days. (Special allowances are made for illness or important work.)

After the completion of Yarney comes Gaie, the "Monks' Festival" which is, in a sense, a flinging open of the doors again, allowing the monks their freedom after the restrictions of Yarney. During Gaie they are allowed to play indoor games and watch movies-- forbidden for the rest of the year, with the exception of Losar (Tibetan New Year).

It takes at least sixteen years for a monk to graduate from the monastery--if he attends and passes each and every monastic classes. Following this, he can pursue further studies for a Geshe degree. Monastic exams consist of oral examination: two written tests and a debating skill test. For the oral examination, a monk has to orally recite texts by heart in front of the examiner. If he is not able to give a thorough oral recitation, he will then be asked to try again after one month.

In order to sit for the exam, a monk student has to have the required attendance percentages; otherwise, he can’t sit for the exam and has to wait to take the next year. For the debating skill test, each monk has to draw a topic from a lot (which will be from the text) and has to debate with one opponent on that topic in the presence of all the monks.

Monks Taking Oral Exam

Because of great assistance on the part of our Russian Students, the monastery was able to send a small group of monks to Russia on a three-month religious program visa, i.e. June, July and August 2008. They were well received by the organization who extended the invitation.

Tour Group and Russian Supporter

The group was lead by Geshe Tsering Dhondup and assisted by our Russian monk students in Russia. The visit was successful because of the great support extended to the visiting group by our Russian monk students.

We are pleased to acknowledge the generosity of those who donate to Drepung Gomang Monastery. We are particularly grateful for all of those persons who donated time, effort, and money to support our tour groups. You are constantly in the prayers of the monks of the monastery who will never forget your generosity.

If through an error on our part, your name has been omitted from our list of donors, please notify us immediately, and we will correct our mistake.

Donors are listed in alphabetical order

Donors of Supplies to Medical Dispensary

Jennifer and David Heydt

Donors from Canada

Chuck Archambault	Canadian Friends of Drepung Gomang for Solar Lamp	Colin Gregg Ferrel & Friends of Kitchen Project
Doug Le Cont	Gerard Morlais	Minh Tran
Shelly Crop Eared Wolf

Donors from USA

Mike Betson	Charles & Pamela Bowen	Tenzin Sherab
Daniel Chazin	Janet Cohen	William Coulter
Katherine Fox	Milton Greek	Bruce Groner (Wilson Products)
Gary Gwvanazzi	Henry C. Haase	Jason Holland
Angela T. Hough	John Jordan	Chela Kunasz (Prayer Offering)
Monica S. Haynes Nino	Sarantsetseg Myagmar	Monica s. Haynes Nino
Linh K. Nguyen	Norman O'Bird	Mary Pattison
Anand Premal	Carol Renwick	Pamela X. Roesch
Michelle Rosenaur	Lee V. Smith	Tibet Fund
Gwendolyn Toney	T. Vanderhayden	Jennifer White (Keene High School)
Woven Legends

Donors from Tibet Fund

Patricia Chapoy de Davila	Richard & Lynne H. Einig	Maria Teresa Tostado Guiterres
Simon Hui	Patricia Lara Magana	Susan Marcela R. Ramirez
Benjamin Lopez Robles	Rosemary Stoba

Other Donors

Dr. Rohit S. Chari, India

England Bliss & Wisdom Monastery

Roger Jordan & Jill

Taiwan for Prayer Offering

All donors will continue to be remembered in the prayers of the monks.