The Karmapa with His Eminence Jamgon Rinpoche and His Eminence Gyaltsab Rinpoche at Bokar Monastery in Mirik in October, 2005
note: click image to go to slideshow page
On October 9-20, 2005, HH Karmapa traveled to Bokar Ngedhon Choekhor Ling Monastery to preside over a Grand Prayer Gathering in the main prayer hall of the new temple in the presence of the Kudung of Ven. Bokar Rinpoche.
Departure from Dharamsala
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa Ogyen Trinlay Dorje’s 10 day visit to Bokar Ngedhon Chokhor Ling Monastery in the township of Mirik in Darjeeling district began on 8th Oct 2005. His Holiness left Gyuto Monastery, Sidhibari at 7am and reached Chandigarh at 12 noon.
After a lunch stopover at the Piccadily Hotel, His Holiness and the entourage left Chandigarh and reached New Delhi at 5.30pm.
The acting Representative of His Holiness Dalai Lama’s Bureau in Delhi and Ven Dz. Ponlop Rinpoche received His Holiness at the Radisson Hotel. Several other devotees also extended their warm reception to His Holiness.
On October 9th, His Holiness was warmly accompanied by the Secretary and Acting Representative of HH Dalai Lama’s Bureau to the domestic airport, where His Holiness and his entourage departed for Bagdogra by Jet Airlines.
Reception at Bagdogra airport
Devotees of His Holiness greeted His arrival at the Bagdogra Airport with a huge reception in his honor. His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and Ven Khenpo Dhonyo Rinpoche received His Holiness with full traditional greetings. Besides representatives of various monasteries and associations, other eminent personages who extend ed a warm welcome to His Holiness included Mr. Namkha Gyaltsen ,former minister of Government of India and current chairman of the Ecclesiatical Department, state Government of Sikkim who also represented Mr. Pawan Chamling, the Chief Minister State Govt of Sikkim; Mr. Tsewang Tamdin, Addl. Secretary of the Ecclesiastical Department; Mrs. Tsering Dolma, Joint Secretary for Water Security and Public Health Engineering Department of Sikkim; Mrs. Tenzin Dolkar, Joint Secretary of the Police Department of Sikkim Government; Mr. Nar Bhadur Bandhari, the former Chief Minister of Sikkim and President of Regional Congress Party; Mr. Karma Topden, former MP and Ambassador to Mongolia; Lharipa Gaden, Vice President of Denjong Lhadey Tsokpa; and Mr. Sonam Damdul Member of Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies, CTA, Dharamshala.
The public gathers for ceremonies with His Holiness Karmapa in Mirik at Bokar Monastery in October, 2005
note: click image to go to slideshow page
From Bagdogra Airport, His Holiness enjoyed the bright sunny day during a very pleasant drive up to the Monastery, which passes through beautiful tea gardens and lush greenery.
Extensive Ceremonies at Bokar Monastery
At the main gate of the Monastery, His Eminence Gyaltsab Rinpoche received His Holiness with a huge procession of Sangha Monks including monks from both old and new Rumtek Monastery, Lava Monastery, Ralang Palchen Choling Monastery, Ralang Karma Rabten Ling (old) Monastery, Sang Monastery, Phodong Monastery, Druk Sa-ngak Choling Monastery, Samdrup Darjay Ling Monastery Sonada, Dortsik Gumpa Darjeeling and Salugara Monastery.
The Double Tenth of the year 2005 is an unforgettable day for the Bokar Ngedhon Choekhor Ling Monastery as His Holiness performed the opening ceremony of their new Monastery at 9 am and consecrated all the fillings of all the shrine halls along with His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, His Eminence Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Ven. Khenpo Dhonyo Rinpoche and great many Sanghas. There were nearly one thousand sangha monks and nuns and the huge temple hall was completely packed by monks and nuns and devotees from within and outside countries. Again the weather was excellent and the ceremonies went on very peacefully.
In order to fulfill the wishes of all devotees certain additions to the main Monlam Program of Activities were made which mainly included provisions for private and public audiences. – Ven. Drupon Dilyak Rinpoche
