Skip to main content

Chikshey Kundrol at Ralang Monastery

Ralang, 16 Oct 2019 (IPR): Chief Minister, P S Tamang and madam, Krishna Rai attended the Chikshey Kundrol empowerment (Wang) event at Palchen Choeling Monastery, Ralang.

Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche blessed the Chief Minister with holy wang on behalf of the entire Sikkimese people and for their unity and peace. He also enlightened the gathering with holy blessings and talks about the sacred life of Buddha to reflect on his teachings of compassion, peace and honesty.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Minister, Kunga Nima Lepcha, MLA, TT Bhutia, Confidential Secretary to CM, Bikash Basnet, SDM Ravangla, BDO Ravangla, OSD to Buddha Park and other officials.

Approaching Ralang Monastery.
Ralang Monastery is located six kilometres (3.7 mi) from Ravangla.

  • Chikshey Kundrol belongs to the Kriya tantra. Prior to receiving them, one has to receive a major initiation as a preparation; it is the condition to receive the series of Chikshey Kundrol initiations.

Ralang Monastery facade.
In front of the facade, at the bottom of the photo, we can see the tank with water and the naga on its back.


Chikshey Kundrol program.
The poster says:

  • «Public Information
  • We at Palchen Chosling Monastery, Ralanga, South Sikkim would like to inform everyone that on the last day of the Chikshey Kundrol Empowerment (a total of 56 empowerments), the 12th Goshri Gyaltsabpa will be bestowing the Long Life Empowerment and performing the Holy Red Vajra Crown Ceremony on the 20th of October, 2019. The program is as follows:
  • 06:00 am - Concluding Tsog (Prasad) Offering Puja
  • 08:00 am - Long Life Puja
  • 11:00 am - Lunch for all
  • 12:00 pm - Long Life empowerment (Tsewang), Holy Red Vajra Crown Ceremony and the distribution of Tselha Namsum Thankas to everyone.»

Ralang Monastery courtyard.

Participants line up to make their offerings.

The courtyard is full of participants.

Many monks attend the ceremonies.

Long Life empowerment (Tsewang).
The 12th Goshir Gyaltsab performing the Long Life empowerment (Tsewang).

  • The 12th Goshir Gyaltsap Rinpoche (b. 1954) is considered to embody the activity of Vajrapani. Like that bodhisattva, he is a guardian of the Buddha and his Word.
  • See more at Goshir Gyaltsab - Wikipedia.

Holy Red Vajra Crown Ceremony.
The 12th Goshir Gyaltsab performing the Holy Red Vajra Crown Ceremony.

  • The Gyalwang Karmapas began the tradition of Vajra Crown ceremonies with the Black Crown, which is particular to them.
  • The black and red crowns are thus a unique and distinctive feature of the Karma Kamtsang.
  • The Chinese Ming Yongle Emperor (1402-1424) is said to have made a replica of the black-haired crown bestowed by the dakinis on the first Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, and given it to the 5th Karmapa, Dezhin Shekpa (1384-1415). Karma Pakshi, the Second Gyalwang Karmapa, stated that whoever witnesses the Crown Ceremony will not fall into the lower realms.

Distribution of Tsel Lha Nam Sum (Long Life Buddha) Thangkas.
Amitabha, the name of the Bodhisattva whose sambhogakaya (enjoyment body) is known as Amitayus, in Vajrayana Buddhism, is known for his longevity, discernment, pure perception, purification of aggregates, and deep awareness of emptiness.

  • He is frequently invoked in Tibet either as Amitabha – especially in the phowa practices or as Amitayus – especially in practices relating to longevity and preventing an untimely death.
  • See more at Amitābha, Vajrayāna Buddhism - Wikipedia.

Inside the temple.
The interior of the temple is covered with offerings making it difficult to see the golden statue of Buddha.

  • Bhumisparsha Buddha: the right hand pointing towards the ground is the gesture of taking the earth as a witness for determination. The left hand carries the alms bowl.
  • The bhumisparsa or "earth witness" mudra of Gautama Buddha is one of the most common iconic images of Buddhism. Other names include "Buddha calling the earth to witness", and "earth-touching".
  • It depicts the story from Buddhist legend of the moment when Buddha attained complete enlightenment, with Buddha sitting in meditation with his left hand, palm upright, in his lap, and his right hand touching the earth.
  • In the legend, Buddha was challenged by the evil one, Mara, who argue for a witness to attest his right to achieve it. In response to Mara, Buddha touched the ground, and Phra Mae Thorani, the earth goddess, appeared to be the witnesses for the Buddha's enlightenment.
  • See more at Mudra, Buddhist Iconography - Wikipedia.

Walking to a private audience.
Walking through the interior corridors of the monastery towards a private audience.


Audience with the 3rd Bokar Rinpoche.
A boy from Sikkim, a resident of Gangtok, was enthroned as 3rd Bokar Rinpoche. This most prestigious recognition to the boy from Sikkim was given by His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa, Ugen Thinlay Dorjee, in 2015 at Tergar Monastery in Bodh Gaya.

  • Bokar Tulku Rinpoche (1940 – 17 August 2004) was heart-son of the Second Kalu Rinpoche and a holder of the Karma Kagyu and Shangpa Kagyu lineages
  • In January 2014, during a celebration of the Tsurphu New Year, the 17th Karmapa gave a letter identifying the reincarnation.
  • See more at Bokar Tulku Rinpoche - Wikipedia.

See also

Source

Location

Location: South Sikkim, Sikkim 737139, India