Panchen Lama Receives Scholars in Beijing

[icy]

The 11th Panchen Lama has taken on the responsibility of conducting blessing ceremony to newly qualified Lharampa Geshes in China.  The monastic education has taken a positive turn after the cultural revolution in China.  Buddhism has definitely return to China in a big way and so is Dorje Shugden practice. 


The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu conducted a ritual to bless Tibetan Buddhism scholars, all monks graduating from the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China, in Beijing on Wednesday.



The 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu conducted a ritual to bless Tibetan Buddhism scholars, all monks graduating from the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China, in Beijing on Wednesday.

Eleven of the monks in attendance received the "Tho Ram Pa" degree, one of the highest academic degrees in Tibetan Buddhism, after taking exams, defending their dissertations and being interviewed by a judging committee from May 10 to 17.

The "Tho Ram Pa" degree system was launched in 2004 in an effort to improve the study of Tibetan Buddhism and the training of outstanding monks by incorporating elements of modern education.

The 11th Panchen Lama asked the monks to further their study, protect the country and make efforts to benefit the people.

http://www.china.org.cn/china/2015-05/21/content_35622260.htm?

[Dondrup Shugden]

It was also told that the Panchen Lama spends most of His time in Beijing and not Lhasa. And now we get news that there are 11 monks receiving the Tho Ram Pa degree from Tibetan Buddhism College of China in Beijing.

Looks like China is reclaiming Buddhism as her heritage from Beijing, then what about Lhasa?  How will this unfold in the future.

[DharmaSpace]

The 11th Panchen Lama, Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu, was saddened and shocked to learn that the 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, which resulted in a large number of casualties. The earthquake also severely affected Shigatse City in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

On Apr.26, the Panchen Lama made a special prayer and wished the deceased rest in peace, and the living be relieved of suffering.

The full text of the prayer is as follows:

Apr.26, 2015

I'm saddened and shocked to learn Nepal and Shigatse City in southwest China's Tibet suffered devastating earthquakes, resulting in big losses of lives and homes.

May the deceased rest in peace, and the living be relieved of suffering!

May the Buddhist triad bless sentient beings in disaster-stricken areas be removed from the shadow of suffering, their souls healed and rebuild their homes at an early date!

O mani padme hum!

The 11th Panchen Lama also made a prayer for the situation of the Nepali Earthquake.

[kris]

Communist ideology is without religion, and because of this, Buddhism and all religious has been "wiped" out for quite a long period in China. This also caused a suppression of spirituality in  China, and many people rely on materialism to make them feel happy.

Therefore, it is such a great news to see Beijing is highly promoting Buddhism now. Some people may say it is for political reason and Beijing wants to upset HH Dalai Lama and CTA, but then again, people is now encouraged to take on Buddhism, which is definitely a good thing for the nation.

On the other hand, CTA's Buddhism has really deteriorated.. just look at the amount of hate message from the Tibetans in Exile, cursing and swearing all in the name of Buddhism.

I pray that China will promote Buddhism even more, because Buddhism has been a long history in China's history anyway.

[lotus1]

It is such a great and rejoicing news that monks graduating from the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China and getting blessings from the 11th Panchen Lama. There will be more monks in China to spread the Buddha’s teaching and Dharma.

I found an articles that gave more info on this High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/922687.shtml

During a graduate exam for Nyingma sect lamas, a Tho Ram Pa program student (sitting in the center) of the High-level Tibetan Buddhism College of China is challenged by four Buddhist scripture debaters invited by the college from other temples to test the candidate. Photo: Li Hao/GT

Although it may have some political reasons in setting up the Buddhism College so that the monks will also be educated to be “"politically reliable, educated and venerable." I believe this is to counter CTA that always creating hatred and schism on Tibetan that causing disharmony to China. Well, though I’m not interested into politic, but I am glad that at least now China is promoting Buddhism.

[fruven]

It is good news that China can produce geshes. This will allow the Buddha Dharma to flourish widely. From the wider view, Buddhism does not take pray to god as one control the believers' destiny so I think it is suitable for China.

Also it is worth to note that many religions in the world have propagated in various means, by conquest, by force conversion or by good behaviour of the practitioners, just some examples. Why don't we complain that some methods are with political agendas, and therefore they not so good?

[yontenjamyang]

It seems that Tibetan Buddhism in China is life and well and even monks of the Nyingma sect is thriving. I really wish that Buddhism do not have to be affected by politics but alas, since humans have deluded minds even His Holiness is subject to such conditions that drastic measure needs to be implemented to benefit humans.

It is said that Boddhisattvas do not run away from ill-repute. Certainly, this is the case for His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Protector and all the Lamas on both sides. We need to contemplate of the the ban issue and learn from it while working to alleviate the suffering of DS and non DS practitioners alike.

[DharmaSpace]

Buddhism has existed in China for over 2000 years, the years that China purged Buddhism from 1949 when the Communist took power is about a fraction of the total time Buddhism has influenced Chinese society. So it with so much history and culture affecting China and Chinese, the renaissance of buddhism from the days whereby it was persecuted is only a matter of time.

Perhaps this time around Buddhism will reach a greater heights than before, because in this age whereby people have access to learning, schools, and knowledge the new generation of buddhist practitioners in China could be a greater golden of age of Buddhism than before. In the age of learning and computers, the Chinese would have easier access to information and they can be more critical and informed about Buddhism.