The 25th Butterlamp retreat has started

As planned the 25th Butterlamp retreat has begun in the early morning of December 16th.
The whole gompa complex freshly painted anew, the rhythm of pujahs,tsog offering, lamps cleaning and refill will lead the life at Khordong Byangter Monastery for the next 2 weeks.

We are happy to share with you a few pictures.

Sarwa Mangalam,

Painted anew as for a new beginning

As you all are aware, we have been extremely busy during the past 2 months in order to prepare the gompa complex for the celebration of the 25th Butterlamp retreat.

We have updated you on its progress and now we are happy to share with you images of the pristine white Stupa and painted anew Gompa and all other building.

Pleasure to the eyes.

Sarwa Mangalam,

Early Butterlamp retreats with CR Lama. India '90

On this auspicious Dakinis day we are happy to share with you archive images of the very first butterlamp retreats started by Chhimed Rigdzin Rinpoche 25 years ago in India.
Rejoice and celebrate!!!

The Gompa is getting ready to celebrate the 25th Butterlamp Retreat

Hello everyone,

November has been a very busy month here. All efforts are being made to have the Gompa and the Stupa as well as all the other buildings ready and fresh to celebrate the 25th Butterlamp retreat as a new beginning.

The lamas have actively participated in the process and the next 2 weeks will be dedicated to fine tuning and polishing of the last part of the work while preparing all the necessary items for the puja.

More than words we thought pictures would talk better of the extent of the work. So we have compiled several pictures so you can have a good idea of the work in progress.

The Stupa is yet to be painted but the Gompa interior and exterior is close to be completed. Same can be said of the Lamas house, the Retreat house and the Butterlamp house. Not shown here on the pictures the Farm house as well as the Pilgrims house have also been entirely painted out. Both ready to receive those of you who plan to take part in this retreat which shall be remembered as a stepping stone.

Please confirm your participation in the week to come so we know how many rooms to reserve. We are not opening the Pilgrims house to the Cancer patient during the retreat to make sure enough rooms will be available for you. Nevertheless if you do not confirm your room before December 15th, we will then start to release rooms as there is some famillies waiting.

The retreat starts in 2 weeks from now and we can't wait showing you live the beauty of our Gompaland.

We are still short of 450,000/ NRI equivalent of Euro 6,400/ to cover all the expenses of painting anew all the buildings of Khordong Byangter Monastery. We have taken a loan to complete the work on time. So please if you can measure the importance of this event and feel touched by the beauty of the work done so far, kindly help us with your donation. Any amount helps, please contact us directly for the bank details needed.

Sarwa Mangalam

Renovation progress on Rinpoche's Stupa and Gompa

Benefiting nice weather conditions, the work is going on at a swift pace.
The Chorten scrapping is completed and we are now curing with water before to start plastering.
Plastering would need approximately 7 days and painting another 10 days.
Adding tiles on the steps would take another 3 days.
So we expect work on the Stupa to be completed by the third week of November.

For the Gompa, the work is well on its way. The scrapping is already completed and the plastering needs another 3 to 4 days. Where it was possible the painting has already been started. All together we need another 3 weeks before completion.

Your support is greatly appreciated.

Sarwa Mangalam,

Replastering and painting of Rinpoche's Stupa and Gompa before the start of the 25th Butterlamp retreat.

Greetings, Since our last publication we have received some funds for the 25th butterlamp retreat as well as some funds to start replastering Rinpoche's Stupa. The work has already started on the Stupa. The scrapping part of the work is about to be completed on the Stupa and in the next 4 days plastering shall start. We also have the wish and plan to put the same checkered tiles around the Stupa's Kora as what we did last year around the gompa.

Meanwhile there is still much to be done on the Gompa.As you can see on the pictures below the roof barely has remaining paint and the cement starts to appear at some parts
The gompa is in dear need of attention. Some parts will need replastering, some wooden windows will need to be entirely redone and the walls as well as the roof need to be entirely repainted. It is a massive work which needs to be done this year as in these conditions the gompa cannot manage to go through another raining season, especially the northen side walls as they barely have the time to dry during monsoon.

    

At the moment the lamas also are fully engaged in helping cleaning and preparing the other roofs for paint as well, together with their rooms which also need a clean fresh white paint. See here pictures of the farm house's roof.

     

Kindly contact us to donate any amount to help in these major maintenance expenses. We are aiming at having everything completed for the start of the 25th Butterlamp retreat on December 16th, 2015. So far we could only collect half of the necessary funds to carry out this necessary action successfully. Please contact the Chhimed Rigdzin Society if you wish to support.

Sarwa Mangalam,

Support from Ranidanga SSB Camp

Greetings, We are happy to share this great news with all of you. As desired by the Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal ( SSB) in New Delhi, every Frontier Headquarter is requested to adopt a location of religious or touristique importance under the "Swacch Bharat Abhiyan" program to engage in regular cleanliness campaign. In Siliguri, the Inspector General of the Frontier Headquarter has selected the Khordong Byangter Monastery. As a result a team of the SSB Camp personnel in Ranidanga will come every Thursday afternoon to engage in cleanliness and maintenance actions and it already started last week.

We are very grateful to the SSB authority for sending their team to cooperate with our monks in keeping the monastery and its surrounding land in the best conditions possible. It also marks a further integration of the monastery into the local network. We rejoice for the care and interest shown. Wonderful!!!

25th Butterlamp Retreat - Dec 16th to 31st

Hello everyone,

This post is to announce the celebration of the 25th Butterlamp retreat held in India.
Some of you keep very found memories of the very first Butterlamp retreat Rinpoche held in Sarnath with a small group of a few disciples and surrounded by his family in the premises of the Mahabodhi society.

Since then for the next 24 years and without any discontinuity the 111,111 butterlamps offering for World peace happened every winter in India. First at the Mahabodhi Society in Sarnath then at the gompa once the land was bought.

Many of you had organised their time in the year to make sure they could reach India for this retreat with Rinpoche. Like migrating birds flying off to a far away country, it became a way of life for some of you sharing their lives between India and Europe, trying to stay close to Rinpoche as much as time and circumstances allowed.

In this way every year the sangha was meeting in India to practice together and offer these symbolic lights to the world in presence of Rinpoche. It always was a memorable time for whoever participated, a feeling of adventure and of being part of an extra-ordinary activity.

After Rinpoche passed away, the sangha kept on meeting regularly in India in the occasion of the Butterlamp retreat then slowly less and less disciples made the journey. Nevertheless every year a few of you still make the time to attend.

Thanks to Tulku Ugen and his wife Shashi's dedication together with your continuous support we always found enough funds to buy the necessary Palm Oil, the offerings for the tsog and the food to feed the few participants and the now 15 resident monks.

So it is with a feeling of great joy and accomplishment that we wish to celebrate together with all of you this 25th Butterlamp retreat at Khordong Byangter Gompa from Dec 16th till 1st Half of 31st December 2015.

Please set the dates in your calendars and if you can please come to join us and rejoice.

Of course donations are welcome to make sure once again we cover the cost of this retreat. If you wish to participate in the retreat or make donations please contact us at chhimedrigdzinsociety@gmail.com

Before the retreat starts Tulku Ugen very much wish that we replaster Rinpoche's Stupa and paint it fresh so that he can shine throughout the retreat and the next years to come. At the moment the plaster and the paint have suffered several monsoon. If you wish to participate please contact us.

Sarwa Mangalam,

From China with Love

Hello everyone,

 Just a quick update to share with you that Tulku Ugen and his wife Shashi are together traveling in China to visit familly and friends of Khordong and Suckchung gompas.

It was a long awaited occasion which brings much happiness and a nice feeling of togetherness.

We also need to inform you that due to circumstances Tulku Ugen had to cancel his visit to Europe for this year.

All planned programms and events for this year should hopefully be able to be held next year.

From China with Love,

Chokhor Duchen at Gompa

Greetings,

While most of you were celebrating the first turn of the wheel of Dharma by Lord Buddha this Monday from wherever you are, here at Gompa we also did pujah to celebrate and a beautiful rainbow came to cross the sky just above Rinpoche's stupa. A wonderful vision we wish to share with you.

Chokhor Duchen - 20.07.2015

Meanwhile in Mumbai Tulku Ugen and his familly were rejoicing with the recovery of Lhammu from her operation. She is doing well but will need to be under observation for some more time.

Both events giving us great reasons to rejoice and celebrate this precious human life.

Sarwa Mangalam,

Tulku Ugen's visit to Europe is delayed till Aug 15th, 2015

Here are the words of Tulku Ugen:

Dear Sangha,

As you may probably know by now my daughter Lhammu needs to go for surgery to remove a benign tumor which has grown on her pituitary gland which is near the brain. It is a very serious operation.

The operation will happen in Mumbai on July 15th. After visiting several doctors and hospital this is the best we could find.

She will be hospitalised at Hinduja Mahim on July 14th and shall remain there till July 20th if no complication arises. She will then need to remain in Mumbai for another 3 weeks in observation.

Under such circumstances I am sad to announce that i cannot come to Europe before August 15th.

Even then in order to make it for August 15th I would need an official invitation from the different organisers on their respective letter head with their respective itinerary. If the entire Tour can be rescheduled I shall be happy to come and fullfill my engagements.

Please bear in mind that upon reception of the invitation letters the visa application will take 3 weeks to process minimum after having duly filled all documents and applied for Shengen visa.

I am extremely sorry for this changed situation which I could not foresee nor avoid.

Yours Sincerely in the Dharma,

Tulku Ugen Chencho,

H.H C.R Lama Paranirvana Anniversary

Hello everyone,

This is just a short note to confirm that on the 4th day of the 5th tibetan month which falls this year on June 20th, 2015 we will be remembering and celebrating Rinpoche's Paranirvana anniversary.

On this occasion we shall raise prayer flags and perform the Big Rigdzin together with the monks and the community at Khordong Byangter Monastery.

Join us in your prayers and aspirations from wherever you are,

Sarwa Mangalam,

Happy Saga Dawa - 2nd June 2015

On this wonderful day of Saga Dawa the members of the Khordong Byangter Gompa have released fishes in the name of the people who participated and made the Kangyur recitation possible.

We wish to thank all the sponsors and supporters who had very kindly supported the Three Day Long Kangyur Recitation, begining with the Buddha Purnima during 3rd till 5th of May for The Benefit of all the victims who lost their lives in Nepal and India during the last 25th April 2015 earthquake with generous donation and genuine wish for the same.

I would also like to express  my happiness to announce the first time recitation of the Kangyur at the Gompa which was a long time aspiration to do so. And this also could happen  for a very good cause.
May all sponsors and well wishers who took keen interest be benefited by dedicating the merit of the same.

I have received details from Mr. Alexis Lefort and Mrs Nathalie Koralnik of all the kind people who have encouraged us in such noble activity through their generous Big or Small  donations. I personally thank you all for your continued support and hope to receive your active support in coming future as well. I thank our friends from Malaysia and Australia who were at the origin of the project and who collected the seed money to see it started, I also thank the Amalha Association from Belgium who supported through their organisation.
I cannot end this note without saying  Big Thanks to Mr.Alexis Lefort and Mrs Nathalie Koralnik for their logistic support without which it would have been impossible to take place .

PHAN PAR SAM PA TSAM GYI KYANG
SANG GYAE CHOD LAE KHYAD PHAG NA
SEM CHEN MA LUE THAM CHAD KYI
DE DON TSON PA MOE CHI GOE

Sarva Mangalam.  Tulku Ugen

Accomplishment

The recitation has been completed as per planned on May 5th evening. This whole event is a great success. Thank you for everyone's support. See by yourself:

The Kangyur Recitation has started on Buddha Purnima's day

Here are a few pictures of the start of the recitation. May the blessings be shared with all of you and with the victims of the Earthquake in Nepal and India:

Preparation for the Riwo Sangcho

Clouds clear with the start of the ritual

Taktse Shedra monks together with Tulku Ugen

All enjoy sitting outside with the morning breeze

The support team prepares the tea

The first visitors arrive

Upon completion of the Riwo Sangcho pujah. All the lamas moved back into the prayer hall and started the Kangyur recitation. It is still going on right now and will do so for the next 2 days. Thank you for making this event possible.

Few images from the Kangyur Recitation preparation

The gompa is ready to start early morning tomorow, Celebrating Buddha Purnima. The monks from Taktse Shedra have arrived and we are all set.

Here are a few images of the day:

Getting the new Gong frame ready

Refurbishment of mattresses and pillow

New Tsang Burner getting ready for its inauguration

Prayer flags are being raised

The prayer hall is being meticulously arranged

The Kangyur texts are being taken out

Preparing sanghadana for the monks

Kangyur Recitation Preparation

Hello everyone,

It is all happening at the same time. In the past two days shopping was made in Kalimpong, bed rolls, dining tables and necessary electrical fittings have been sorted out.Workload has been distributed to each and everyone at the Gompa, despite Bengal general strike yesterday.

Food shopping was made today in Siliguri.

The group from Taktse Shedra  will arrive tomorrow morning and will help coordinate the last necessary preparations in the Gompa. Many Butterlamps will be ready for offering.

The new Kitchen is operational and ready to cook for everyone. A plastic roof will be pitched in front of the gompa for visitors to relax i the shade. Tea and juice will be served.

We are few hundreds euro away from sealing the budget. If you wish to support please contact us at chhimedrigdzinsociety@gmail.com

It is a wonderful feeling to know this recitation will be taking place.

Sarwa Mangalam,

Kangyur Recitation Updates

Tulku Ugen Chencho next to the Kangyur texts.

On this auspicious day of Padmasambhava, Tulku Ugen Chencho is Happy to confirm that the recitation of the Kangyur will take place at Khordong Byangter Monastery next week-end.

Your responses have been very generous and we are just 1,000/ Euro away from the budget needed, so Tulku Ugen Chencho decided to go ahead and start planning and organizing. Borrowing the seeding funds from familly and friends while wishing the rest of the money will be raised in the days to come.

At the moment in the hills, all the monasteries are very busy attending pujahs and helping the people touched by the earthquake. Yesterday in Mirik a 5.1 earhquake was registered. Most people live in fear of new waves to come.

Nevertheless Takshi Shedra in Gangtok, has offered to send 50 elder monks to Khordong Byangter Monastery. They will arrive on May 2nd evening.

On May 3rd the day will start early morning with the practice of Riwo Sangcho and straight after the recitation of the Kangyur shall begin and be maintained non stop for 3 days in order to complete the recitation of the 108 texts of the Kangyur on May 5th evening.

May 4th will be a special celebration as it is a Full Moon day and the celebration of the birth of Lord Budddha known as Vesak day.

It is a slight change in the original programm but a necessary one as the monks are expected to be back in Gangtok on May 6th evening.

If you wish to support this meritorious event dedicated to the victims of the earthquake in particular, as well as to the lineage of Chhimed Rigdzin Rinpoche and to the benefit of all sentient beings in general, please contact us at chhimedrigdzinsociety@gmail.com.
Funds are being collected concurrently in Europe and in Asia, so upon request we will share with you the necessary details.

We need your help to raise an extra 1,000/ euro by the end of the week.
Every donation counts either 10 or 20 or 50 or 100 euro and more, will help make this event happen nicely and is a way to share the generated merits.

Thank you,

Kangyur Recitation at the Gompa from May, 3rd to May 13th, 2015

Dear Friends,

After the tragedy which has hit people in Nepal and some parts of India and China Tulku Ugen has the wish to organize the recitation of the 108 texts of the Kangyur for the first time at Khordong Byangter Gompa.

If we can do it now then these prayers can be dedicated for all the victims of the earthquake and also for pacifying  mother earth from farther damages for lives and property in particular.

Both the days that is 3rd May and 13th May are very very auspicious.
May 3rd is the 15th, Full Moon & Vesak Day ( of fire_wind combination) and May 13th is the 25th, Dakinis Day (of earth_water combination).

In general participating in the recitation of Lord Buddha's full cycle of teachings is very auspicious and strengthens the karmic link between the place where those teachings are recited, the people who support  the recitation, those who actually do the recitation and the teachings of Lord Buddha.

So this will also be good for the gompa itself, our sangha and Rinpoche's lineage.

We are sending you a cost estimate for the entire Kangyur recitation to be held from 3rd May till 13th May by 25 monks with the understanding that one text would take two days to read by a trained monk .
We shall work on gathering monks once we know we can get the necessary financial support.

As per today a few people got together already and proposed to sponsor approximately Half of the cost.
So we open and call now for your generosity to find the missing 50% before May 10th.
If you wish to support the Kanguyr recitation please contact us at chhimedrigdzinsociety@gmail.com  and we will send you the necessary details.

We only have few days to make it happen so please answer swiftly.

Here is the cost breakdown in Indian rupees:

25 monks x 12 days @rs.600= 1,80,000/
2 helper monks × 500 × 12 days= 12,000/
Transport 3 vehicles×3000×2 times (to and fro Sikkim and Darjeeling) 18,000/
Food for 12 days for total 55 heads (includes our monks, workers, etc)
@rs200 per day is Rs.1,32,000/
Snacks, chogs, Butterlamps, prayer flags, etc 60,000/
Plus miscellaneous expenses (petrol fr the car, extra drivers ect...) 15,000/
One cook and one helper for 12 days (1000+500) 1500×12 days is 18.000/
Sang, incense, champa butter etc 10,000/
The total estimate as mentioned above comes to a total of Rs. 4,45,000.
Total in Euro = 6,500/
Total in SGD = 9,500/

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Good night.

NB: The Gompa and the monks are fine. They have been strongly shaken by the earthquake but no one
is injured. Some cracks are visible on the Gompa walls as well as the marble inside.
Same with the monks quarter few cracks are visible. But nothing major so far.
Nevertheless we expect more quakes in the days to come.
We shall keep you updated.

111.111 lamps successfully offered for the 24th consecutive year

Thanks to your support and wish to see this practice established by H.H Chhimed Rigdzin Rinpoche continue through time we are happy to share with you the blessings of having successfully managed to offer one more time the 111.111 butterlamps at Khordong Byangter Monastery.

It has taken 2 weeks of dedicated efforts from our young monks with their teachers and the support of Jean-Jaques and the lead of Tulku Ugen.

On the Full Moon day the lights which are always offered for World Peace, were particularly dedicated to the victims of the terrible attacks of the school in Pakistan and the Magazine in France.

The retreat came to an end on the Dakini day with the deep feeling of having taken part in an event in favor of the greater good. To celebrate all the Gurus, Dewas and Dakinis, white khadags were offered to the statues inside the praying hall, as well as to all the participants.

May the blessing power of the prayers and dedications reach you all.

Sarwa Mangalam,

Start of our Lamps Offering Retreat

Guru Rinpochi statue from Tso Pema

May the blessings of Guru Rinpochi  reaches all as the first ray of the sunshine reaches to each and everyone in this samsara. May all be happy and healthy.
Seasons Greetings. Happy new year 2015.

Yesterday we started lighting the lamps and thus started our 24th Butter Lamp Offering Retreat for World Peace started by our late teacher Chhimed Rigzin Rinpochi.
On this auspicious occasion we the Khordong Byangter Gompa members wish all Peace, Happiness , Love and Compassion to all the sentient beings.
May all your wishes come true, May you all remain healthy , become successful and enjoy a healthy and happy long life.

May the coming 2015, be year of prosperity , happiness and well being. May the blessings of Guru Rinpochi be always with all of you.

Om Aah Hung Bendza Guru Padma Siddhi hung.

Tulku Ugen Chencho