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Chogdong Monastery (or Chagdrung Monastery) in Kham, Tibet celebrated their 9th Annual Monlam Chenmo festival in July 2014. The festivities centered around a vast open plain, with huge tents erected to accommodate the thousands of monks and lay people who gathered to celebrate this auspicious occasion.
This particular event was organized by H.E. Nyedru Rinpoche, a close student of the previous Denma Gonsa Rinpoche. Through his hard work and dedication in spreading and upholding the lineage and practices entrusted to him by his teacher, Nyedru Rinpoche is widely regarded as an important and respected Dorje Shugden lama in his district of Yushu (or Yulshul), Tibet.
The Monlam Chenmo Festival or “Great Prayer Festival” was established by Lama Tsongkapa in 1409, to commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha’s performance of miracles in Shravasti. Commonly known as the third of Lama Tsongkapa’s four great deeds, Monlam Chenmo celebrations have been observed every year since, to pray for the long life of attained masters from all traditions, for the growth of Dharma in the minds of all sentient beings, and for world peace.
As seen from the images below, Monlam Chenmo is still traditionally practiced and upheld in a grand manner in Tibet. The occasion is marked by extensive communal offerings by both ordained and lay people, to overcome obstacles to peace and generate conducive conditions for all to live in harmony. Recently, another grand Monlam Chenmo celebration was also held in Chatreng, with over 400,000 Dorje Shugden practitioners gathering in Trijang Rinpoche’s Sampheling Monastery. Undoubtedly, Dorje Shugden practitioners make up a significant segment of the Gelugpa tradition, despite the efforts of the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration to claim otherwise.
We at DorjeShugden.com rejoice in the strong faith and loyalty that the people of Tibet have for high lamas such as H.H. Trijang Rinpoche, H.E. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, Nyedru Rinpoche and many more who are tirelessly turning the wheel of Dharma for the sake of all sentient beings. May the pure teachings and practices of the Gelug tradition live on and soar to greater heights.
Massive tents were erected around the monastery to accommodate the many people that traveled from great distances for the celebration
Tens of thousands gathered for this blessed occasion
Bountiful offerings made during Chogdong Monastery’s Monlam Chenmo festivities
H.E. Nyedru Rinpoche (right) with his teacher, the previous Denma Gonsa Rinpoche (left)
H.E. Nyedru Rinpoche (right) with the current incarnation of Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, the 19th of his lineage (centre)
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Eli
August 10, 2014
There are so many activities going in the Dorje Shugden rejoicing to see many practitioners engaging in Dorje Shugden practice.
Dorje Rinchen
August 10, 2014
rejoice to see that the tradition of Monlam Chenmo is being upheld until today with such a strong presence by the Sangha and also the lay people of tibet. Furthermore the strong faith and devotion of the sangha from Chogdong and Chathreng Monastery shows that Dorje Shugden Practice still strongly followed.
Such a rejoice that the teaching and Dharma activity of H.H. Trijang Rinpoche, H.E. Denma Gonsa Rinpoche, Nyedru Rinpoche continues to spread in Tibet itself, even with the ban of DS practice by HHDL and the CTA.
Manjushri
August 10, 2014
I love to see the bountiful offerings made, and the sea of maroon robes donned by sangha members who are there to celebrate the monlam chenmo festival. Because of the sangha, and the continual propagation of the Dharma by them and lamas such as Trijang Rinpoche, Pabongkha Rinpoche, Nyedru Rinpoche, Zawa Tulku Rinpoche, Gonsar Rinpoche, Achok Rinpoche, Yongyal Rinpoche and many many more, the Dharma, teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa and practise of Dorje Shugden is thriving in our community today. Without these dedicated sangha members, we would never be able to meet the Dharma, so thank you very much. But most of all, Thank you to the admin of this website..because of you, so much truth and dharma can spread throughout the world.
bond
August 14, 2014
It is exciting to read about yet another grand celebrations with so many monks & lay practitioners of the Gelugpa tradition coming together, this time is to celebrate the Monlam Chenmo festival at Chogdong Monastery. The bountiful offerings & turned up from the monks & lay practitioners at the event organised by H.E. Nyedru Rinpoche has demonstrate their strong guru devotion, faith in their pure lineage & the great protector Dorje Shugden.
Earlier in March this year, a similar celebration was also attended by 400,000 people in Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s Sampheling Monastery in Chatreng, Tibet.
At both events, the sheer size of both ordained & lay people from all over Tibet & various parts of the world coming forth to pray for the long life of attained masters of all traditions, growth of Dharma & world peace, I wonder why CTA still claim that great protector Dorje Shugden is a minority practice!
I pray for the long life & good health of H.E. Nyedru Rinpoche, Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche & all the attained master for their continuation to spread & uphold the pure lineage & the protector Dorje Shugden practices.
Thank you admin for this wonderful article, it is really helpful for me & more importantly for the rest of the world to know what Dorje Shugden practitioners do & support to lift the ban soonest possible.
ronykhan
August 16, 2014
Monlam Chenmo, traditionally was a two-week period during which Buddha Shakyamuni performed various miracles. The two weeks of holy days are observed with the Tibetan Great Prayer Festival beginning on Tibetan New Year, and, on the final day – the Day of Miracles – many fesitvals and rituals are held.
The Great Prayer Festival was established in Tibet in 1409 by Lama Tsongkhapa to commemorate Shakyamuni Buddha’s performance of miracles at Shravasti. According to the Sutra of the Wise and Foolish, six great Hindu teachers, representing the six great schools of Hinduism, challenged Shakyamuni Buddha to a competition of miracles. Typically the Buddha purposely avoided displays of powers because people are easily interested in mundane powers instead of practicing Dharma. However, through his clairovoyance, he understood they wouldn’t be subdued unless he performed the miracles, so he outdid them for 15 day. Apparently 60,000 Hindus converted that day and many monks attained the arhat’s state and understanding. The main purpose of the Great Prayer Festival is to pray for the long life of all the holy Gurus of all traditions, for the survival and spreading of the dharma in the minds of all sentient beings, and for world peace.
If DS practitioners are practicing spirit worship why would they be celebrating the Monlam Chenmo festivals in such an extensive and elaborate way ?
Dekyi Tara
October 11, 2014
Wow.. This is so grand of the celebrated 9th Annual Monlam Chenmo festival in Chogdong Monastery (or Chagdrung Monastery) in Kham, Tibet. Rejoice to see so many of High Lamas and monk celebrated together and that the tradition of Monlam Chenmo is being upheld until today.
May all High Lamas life long and always to turn the wheel of dharma. May Dorje Shugden practice spread far and wide!
Sierra
September 19, 2016
Thank you for these auspicious and beautiful festival that is as old as the Gelug tradition. A grand festival started by Lama Tsongkhapa and kept alive till this day.
So very good to see so many high lamas and sangha attending this festival even in this modern times.
May the stainless teachings of Lama Tsongkhapa flourish and spread to the ten directions for the benefit of beings.