The Tulkus and Monks of Ling Khangtsen are providing an opportunity to have "Questions About Life" answered from a Dharma perspective on their Ling Khangtsen web site. There is an "Ask Us" feature where you may submit your query, and also view a history of their responses to prior questions. Visit this section by clicking here. There is also a "Teachings" section which is being updated periodically, you can view these teachings by clicking here.

6 January, 2008

Click here to view the Ling Khangtsen Newsetter, Vol. 2

29 November 2005

Click here to view the Ling Khangtsen Newsletter, Vol. 1

13 January 2004

With the burgeoning population in the monasteries and at Ling Khangtsen, Drepung Monastery, it is becoming increasingly difficult to accommodate and provide facilities to monks who are presently living there, as well as, the steady stream of new comers from Tibet. Therefore, for pragmatic reasons, we at Ling Khangtsen decided to alleviate the situation for our monks by embarking on a building project that would cater to the present and future monks community's accommodation, prayer and study facilities.

We have also kept in mind the extremely kind benefactors, who have helped us by including within the plans, simple but comfortable, guestrooms for our kindly benefactors and visitors.

Due to the critical reasons that the existing prayer hall (Gompa) is too small to accommodate our monks during the prayer sessions and teachings, we are compelled to start the construction of the prayer hall this year and then slowly carry out the others.

For additional information on the building plans, land purchase, and to see an architectural site plan of the proposed Ling Khangtsen Building Project click here or click over the diagram above to view the proposed site plan.

If you would like to contribute toward this project by making a donation to our Building Fund please click here . Your kind help and generous contribution to this very important project is greatly appreciated.

The Monks of Ling Khangtsen

31 December 2003

"May all beings be free from all states of no-leisure And be endowed with faith, wisdom and kindness With food and excellent conduct, May they be mindful throughout their lives." Shantideva (8th century Buddhist master) Greetings for the New Year with our prayers and good wishes that you have a Happy and fruitful year ahead. Office of Ling Khangtsen Monks of Ling Khangtsen

7 May 2003

Drupa Tulku Rinpoche's studies in Malaysia

My visit to Malaysia was a dream come-true. Being a former British colony, Malaysia has many institutions teaching the English language. I always wanted to improve my English but never expected to be able to travel to study and certainly not that soon.

It all started when I expressed my wish to study English to my sponsor from Malaysia who visited Drepung Monastery to attend my "Geshe Tongo", a traditional Offering Ceremony marking the completion of the full curriculum of monastic studies. As a result of her sponsorship, I arrived in Kuala Lumpur at the end of August 2002.

In Kuala Lumpur, I saw the famous Twin Towers, the world's tallest building which is the ornament of Malaysia and pride of Malaysians. I also saw many wonders like the driverless (computerised) trains, the highest flag pole and the statuesque Radio Tower. However, these things did not impress me. What really touched my heart and inspired me was the strong commitment, devotion and the faith of the members of LDC (Losang Dragpa Buddhist Centre) in Ampang, Malaysia.

The members here put much effort in their practice of Dharma. During my first attendance at one of their Guru Pujas (they do it twice a month), I was shocked and surprised. I couldn't believe my ears as I listened to their chanting and recitations. They were not only reciting the puja in Tibetan but also with melodious tunes which monasteries do only during major prayer sessions. I myself have not memorised some of the tunes! From outside, it sounded like a nunnery chanting their prayers as most of the attendees were females. Not only they have mastered the pujas but most importantly, they always try their best to integrate Dharma in their daily lives, as the story below will illustrate.

I met many people who sacrificed a lot, even giving up many personal benefits in their business life, for the sake of Dharma. For instance, there is one friend of mine who was approached by a person who worked for a company and was in the position to award lucrative contracts. This person wanted to make money for himself on the side and approached my friend to enter into a special arrangement whereby he would grant the contract to my friend in exchange for my friend issuing high bills and part of those bill-payments would go to this person. If my friend had agreed, he would have been assured of many contracts in the future. However, as it involved dishonesty, my friend thought very hard and felt that to agree to it would be like stealing from that person's company which would engage negative karma, both for himself (my friend) and that person. So, at a great loss of profit, my friend declined the offer and was cut-off from doing business with that company. The happy ending to this story is that overall, my friend's business has improved despite the loss of that particular "deal". I was very impressed by his thinking of Dharma even under critical business situations. These kind of Dharmic acts are very common amongst the members here in LDC.

In total, I spent eight months in Malaysia. First I joined ELS, an English language institute franchised by an American company and later joined British Council. As a result of having to speak and write in English everyday, I learned a lot. My classmates were from various countries thereby exposing me to many different cultures and traditions. Many times I found there to be differences in the way of thinking between Tibetans and the peoples from developed countries. The impact of materialism and spirituality on people from the various countries was also markedly different. Then there was the interesting contrast between atheists and non-atheists. Overall, life each day was full of colour, new experiences and a greater appreciation of what I had.

29 April 2003

Ling Choktul Rinpoche

The respect accorded to His Eminence Ling Rinpoche is not confined to the Gelug tradition alone.

Recently, H.E. Ling Choktul Rinpoche was invited by the Drikung Kagyu sect to Dehra Dun for the opening ceremony of their grand new Songten Library. During that visit, Rinpoche visited the Celment Town and Rajpur to meet His Holiness Sakya Trizin Rinpoche (head of the Sakya tradition) and also the Mindroling Monastery of the Nyingma tradition.

H.E. Ling Rinpoche rarely misses any teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Spring Teaching 2003 was no exception and an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama was held during that time.

Some news about Dharamsala by Gala Tulku Rinpoche

Dharamsala is situated on the beautiful hillside of the Himalayan range in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Located at 3,730 ft. above sea level, Mcleod Ganj (upper part of Dharamsala) is the hub of Dharamsala and is also where thousands of Tibetan refugees have made their home to be close to His Holiness the Dalai Lama & the Seat of the Tibetan Government in Exile, Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts, Tibetan Astrological and Medical Centre, and the biggest Tibetan refugees school. Mcleod Ganj has over the years become like a little Tibet. Once there, we get the feeling of being in Tibet.

In recent times, the remote hillside enclave has transformed into a busy international tourist destination. During the peak (summer) season, there are more tourists than locals. I think the Tibetan community has been the main source of attraction to the tourists to Dharamsala. The consequence of this is that the lifestyles of local people (Tibetan as well as Indian) have become tourist oriented.

There are colourful range of restaurants, lodging houses, shops, cyber cafes, yoga and meditation centers and trekking guide centers. Compared to food in South India, food and lodging in Dharamsala is more costly and the weather is extremely cold. Dharamsala to Delhi is only about 12 hours away by bus but I found it to be somewhat a hard journey. Sharp curves and high altitude can make it a horrible experience for those not used to travelling over such terrain. My friends and I had headaches and went through travel sickness of all sorts. However upon arriving in Dharamsala, all seemed worthwhile as Dharamsala is a peaceful and lovely spot in the Himalayas and Tibetan culture thrives there.

Monlam Events

In the past, and prior to the invasion by the Communist Red Army, Tibetans would join in the historical Lhasa Monlam Chemo (Great Prayer Celebration) at Drepung and Gaden monasteries in Tibet (two of the three great Gelug monastic Institutes of Tibet). Since then those two great monasteries have now been re-established in South India and they help to preserve this time-honoured tradition of the Monlam Chenmo.

This year, Monlam Chenmo started with all the monks of Gaden monastery coming to Drepung monastery premises to join the monks there for the prayers. Around five thousand (5,000) monks comprising the abbots, ex-abbot, Tulkus (Rinpoches or recognized reincarnate Lamas) and ordinary monks of Drepung, Gaden and Rato monasteries assembled in Drepung main prayer hall and thus the Monlam Chenmo of year 2003 began on the 8th day of the Tibetan New Year i.e. 4th of March 2003, with Mangcha (main prayer meeting or tea gathering prayer) at 6:00am and at 7:30am.

The new Geshe Lharampas (Doctorate in Theology), who have to participate in the mandatory debate in front of the Monlam assembly for their Geshe degree, took their seat for the Namdrel debate and the floor (other monks) had the opportunity to engage in vigorous debate with them.

Gaden Tri Rinpoche (101st holder of Tsongkhapa throne) gave a discourse about the life story of Lord Budhha (Kerab Sodun). At 10:00am there was an another Mangcha (prayer meeting) followed by another round of debate before the Monlam Chenmo assembly. Finally, Gaden Tri Rinpoche came back to the assembly and the assembly recited prayers in conclusion.

At night, the prospective Geshe Lharampa candidates sat for their Zod (Abhidharma-The metaphysic) and Dhulwa (Vinaya-The monastic disciplines) debating exams in front of the assembly of senior monks. The senior monks examined the candidates' knowledge by debating with them while the young monks stayed in their respective rooms doing self-study. The same schedule was followed for the next five days of Monlam Chenmo.

On the 15th day of the Tibetan New Month (full moon day) the special butter-sculpture and a picture of His Holiness the Dalai Lama were displayed for the public audience. The local school band played music; lay people danced and sang songs in celebration.

On the 16th day of the 1st month of Tibetan calendar, the senior Lama did the popular ritual-cake-throwing ceremony.

On the 17th day, the symbolic reception of the next Buddha (Buddha Maitreya) was done. Thousands of monks and lay people lined the streets to pay respects and receive Buddha Maiterya statue. This was followed by entertainment in the form of games such as stone-lifting competition, cycle-racing, running competition and alike, among the nine Tibetan settlement camps in Mundgod. A mighty fire puja was performed for the well-being of all sentient beings and to remove all obstacles to the successful practice of the Path. With this, the grand Monlan Chenmo was concluded.

22 March 2003

His Holiness the Dalai Lama giving the Monlam teachings in Dharamsala, India.

18 March 2003

Gala Tulku is currently in Dharamsala attending the Monlam teachings being given by His Holiness. The focus of these teachings is Shantideva's "A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" and Nam-kha Pel's "Mind Training Like the Rays of the Sun." These teachings are scheduled for March 19th through April 2nd.

14 March 2003

For world peace, the Khangtsen performed The Incense Offering Puja (a prayer ceremony offered to Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors) on the 3rd day of Tibetan New Year. The first month of the Tibetan calender has great religious significance because this coincides with the period when Buddha displayed miracles to generate faith in His followers and subdue the non-Buddhist teachers of that period.

Hence, this whole month is said to have a merit multiplying effect in tandem with the Buddha's said deeds i.e. all positive action done during this period will have magnified positive results; likewise with negative action! The renowned Lama Tsongkhapa (founder of the Gelug tradition) offered a crown of precious jewels to the statue of the Buddha in Lhasa (the Jowo statue) during the first month of the Tibetan new year and offered extensive prayers, the virtue of which is reputed to have resulted in the extension by 500 years, the duration of the Buddhadharma in this world. Since that time, similar prayer ceremonies have been conducted and named the Monlam Festival (the Great Prayer Festival). Gaden and Drepung Monasteries in South India take turns to host the Monlam Festival.

This year it will be held here in Drepung Monastery and there will be more than 4000 monks, with the Gaden Tripa (head of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, to which HH Dalai Lama belongs) giving teachings.

7 March 2003

A new photo gallery of pictures from the Venerable Ling Choktul Rinpoche's visit to South Korea in October 2002 has been added to the Ling Khangtsen web site.

6 March 2003

About H.E. Ling Choktrul Rinpoche

At a time when genuine spiritual practitioners are rare and real spiritual realizations even more rare, reincarnate Lamas such as His Eminence Kyabje Ling Choktrul Rinpoche are very precious indeed. Such lineage teachers dwell amongst us to ensure that the Buddha's teachings remain unadulterated and yet dynamic for present day needs.

Recently, His Holiness the Dalai Lama bestowed the Kalachakra Initiation in Bodhgaya to Kyabje Ling Choktrul Rinpoche and almost two hundred thousand devotees from all around the world - what is especially interesting is that His Holiness received this initiation from the previous Kyabje Ling Rinpoche (named Kyabje Ling Dorjee Chang) in 1940s in Tibet!! Hence, the unbroken commitment of our Teachers to return for as long as they are needed, to guide many beings to ultimate happiness.

Between end Feb 2003 and end March 2003, H. E. Ling Choktrul Rinpoche will visit Dehra Dun to attend the opening Ceremony of Drikung Kagyu New Library and thereafter, attend His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Losar teachings in Dharamsala on the "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" and "Training the Mind like Sunrays".

Ling Khangtsen's Other Lamas

Ven. Gungbar Chungtsang Rinpoche was requested by Gyuto Tantric University to teach at their Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Center in Minnesota in the United States and is expected to stay for a year till early 2004.

Ven. Drupa Rinpoche had completed his monastic studies in Drepung Loseling College in 2002 and is currently in Malaysia undertaking advanced English language courses at British Council and will be returning to India in mid-April 2003.

Events of Interest

DEBATE!! Debating is a mandatory part of monastic education in the Tibetan tradition. It is taught that debating helps one to sharpen one's knowledge of the Dharma. It also helps the debater to cultivate a calm, clear and objective mind when one's faith or philosophy is being challenged. Drepung Loseling monastery (to which Ling Khangtsen belongs) is presently having its annual Geshe Dhamcha for 8 days. This is a debating season where all the monks will assemble to hear the prospective Geshes (a Geshe is a professor in theology) answer the questions put forth by the monks starting from all Rinpoches and then by Geshes and others by classwise. These questions are raised on an impromptu. It takes an average 20 years of monastic study to achieve the highest level of Geshe. This year there are 18 new Geshes including two Geshe Lharampa (the highest level of Geshe.)

5 March 2003

Transcripts of two teachings have been added to the "Teachings" section of the Ling Khangtsen web site - one is a teaching given by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche at the Tibet House in New Delhi, India on 16 March 1983 and the other is a teaching given by Venerable Ling Choktul Rinpoche at the Tushita Meditation Center in Dharamsala, India on 13 December 2000. You can view the teachings by clicking here "Teachings"

3 March 2003

We wish you are very happy and properous Tibetan water sheep Losar today (Tibetan New Year)

- The Tulkus & Monks of Ling Khangtsen

19 January 2003

The Ling Khangtsen web site is now available on www.lingkhangtsen.org. We are very hopeful that this site will be of benefit to Ling Khangtsen in many ways, and with the continued and future development of the Teachings and Current News sections, we hope it will be of benefit to many people who are interested in Tibetan Buddhism.

The Ling Khangtsen site features a photo gallery section where there are beautiful pictures of The Venerable Ling Choktul Rinpoche from the time of his recognition as the true reincarnation of Khabje Ling Rinpoche to the present time.

We wish you a very Happy And Prosperous New Year.

We hope that you and all our beloved sponsor and donors recieved our New year card by now.

With prayers

Monks of Ling Khangtsen

04 December 2002

A year has almost passed without our knowing it. How good it would be if we could attain inner realizations as fast as time flies. Another Christmas and a new year is on its way. Although you all are in our hearts and prayers all the time but as per tradition, we are thinking of how to convey our deep prayers and best wishes to all of our benefactors during this festive season. Last year, we did it through a small gift of T-shirts that unfortunately reached only a few of our sponsors and donors. …From our last year's experience with the American Customs, we also noticed that it is a great risk to send cards or gifts in bulk….

With deep regards and prayers,

Monks of Ling Khangtsen

07 July 2002

We are keeping all of you in our prayers and pray. We also pray for your continue success in your Dharma practice and your holy activities.

Here all of us very in good health. Although monks are very busy on they study since our Losleing monastery annual examination will coming in August.

With deep regards and prayers,

Monks of Ling Khangtsen

08 April 2002

We also would like to request our sponsors to write directly to the monks by email on these addresses which we have specially created for this purpose. Our address: lingkhangtsen@yahoo.co.in

Thinking hard and looking deep into future, we came into an unanimous decision at our Khangtsen's meeting to purchase some plot of land (around 6 acres) for the big project. Although we are allotted some plot by the monastery (as it does to all other houses) but is too small to plot to encompass our project even at this time for we can have our quota on our present status only. All the more, we are really compelled to act fast as the lands around the monastery get widened so rapidly. So the postponing the purchase of a land only means that in future we will get the land further from the monastery (kitchen, prayer Hall, debating courtyard) bringing all the inconveniences to monks directly disturbing their studies and practices. Naturally the land also get more expensive every day.

As mentioned above, we undertook the purchase only after the kind approval of Ven. Ling Choktul Rinpoche who infact takes very keen interest and provides us good many constructive suggestions towards the project. So it cost us Indian Rs.730, 000:00 which is equivalent to US$ 15531(Fifteen thousand five hundred thirty one only) but we are only pay Rs.190, 000:00 =US$4043(Four thousand forty two) as an advance payment and agreed to pay the balance in three months. So thats some fresh news of our side. Actually we typed this letter five days earlier but unfortunately when it came for the time to send, the internet cennection went off and till today we had no internet connection. So very sorry for the long delay.

With prayers,

Monks of Ling Khangtsen

12 September 2001

We the all the monks of Ling Khangtsen are shocked beyond word to hear about the tragic and barbaric attack carried upon so many innocent people of your country, plus we are all the more saddened, grieved to think the extent of sorrow experienced by the victims and the relatives who live behind.

We can't in our wildest imaginations see such a tragic moment forced on us in this 21st century. Complete no concern for fellow human being!! So, we all the monks of Ling khangtsen convey our most sincere condolence to the relatives of the victims in particular and to the whole people of America in general. Its our humblest hope and wish that you all come through this critical juncture all the more courageous and high spirited.

Monks of Ling khangtsen

02 August 2001

This year the annual exam of our Monastic University start on 21st of August 2001 beginning with the memorization test following with writing and debating test. This year we have around 35 monks taking part in the exam. For the memorization each monks have to recite orally more than sixty pages.( scripture text page)

There are two writing test: literature and Tibetan grammar and poetry. For the debating exam, each monks have to debate on a particular subject for 30 minutes(questioning and answering). This is done infront of the gathering of more than 2500/ monks. There will be great scholars watching the debating skills and giving marks. As we have many monks, it will last for around a month. We will send a copy of the result sheet of each monk when the results declared.

With deep regards and prayers,
Office of Ling Khangtsen
(Drupa Tulku and Gala Tulku)

27 June 2001

We know that its only because of your continous support ,we the monks of ling Khangtsen are able to carry on with our studies.We also know that no words can express enough the gratitude we felt and thank you enough but please accept our heartfelt thanks and deep prayers

As our late beloved Guru Gungbar Tulku was passed away, We the monks of Ling Khangtsen, including H.E.Ling Choktrul Rinpoche and Ven.Gungbar-Chungtsang Tulku held a meeting about our future administration-and management of Ling Institution (Khangtsen) We all come up with idea to appoint group of seven lamas who will look after the welfare of Ling Khangtsen and we requested Ling Choktul Rinpoche be as our Chair person of the Ling like as his predecessor did. And Gungbar Chungtsang Tulku will be our adviser and assistance to Ling Choktul Rinpoche.DrupaTulku ,GalaTulku and Tseten Tashi will be our secretary and two senior monks Lobsang Tenzin and Thupten Nyima will be our cashier and this two monks will take care of the sponsorship money and operate the banking and etc.

Here we recently opened our office with few office items including the donated Laptop from our kind donor. We sincerely hope that our correspondence between the monks and sponsors will be speedup and make a better and smooth relationship.

…We sincerely thank you all for your generous and wonderful support to bring the more awareness on Ling Monks welfare.

We also hope and try to contact directly between individual sponsor and monk either through e-mail or letter as it will smoothen the relations between the sponsors and monks. Although most of the monks does not speak or write English, we will try to write direct oral notes from individual monks for their sponsors.

With deep regards and prayers,
Office of Ling Khangtsen

13 April 2001

I am very sorry to inform you that our teacher Gungbar Rinpoche has passed on.

He died in hospital on the morning of the 7th of April, and was brought back to the monastery where he remained in clear light death meditation until the night of the 11th. His body was offered in a fire puja yesterday, in a ceremony conducted by the monks of Ling Khangtsen along with Rinpoche's many students from other Khangtsens and monasteries. Auspicious signs of his quick return were revealed. The ceremony was video taped and we shall send you a copy of it.

We are all very sad of this news. Rinpoche was the heart and soul of our khangtsen, our mother, our father, and most importantly, our precious teacher.

We shall be saying prayers constantly for the next two weeks, and then shall perform special prayers each week until the completion of 49 days. In two weeks we shall visit all the great monasteries to make offerings to the monks on Rinpoche's behalf and to request that prayers be said for the quick return of Rinpoche. We ask that you also say prayers for Rinpoche.

I regret not having emailed you sooner. We have all been very busy and concerned over the past few days.

All the monks of Ling Khangtsen join me in conveying this sad news to you.

With our prayers and best wishes,

Gungbar Chungtsang Tulku