His Eminence Dungsey Garab Rinpoche administered a throm wang to more than 4000 people at Dorji Chhoeling Goenpa in Pemagatshel on January 31.Rinpoche also presided over a day-long Throema Tshokhor on January 30 along with some 300 local Throema practitioners comprising people from all walks of life.
This was preceded by seven days of cleansing and empowerment ritual of Gesar Saang and Serkem for continued well-being of Tsawasum. A Sachhu Bumter ceremony was also conducted to enrich and restore earth elements and sanctify environment by the nuns and tshampas of the goenpa.
It was also a privileged moment for Throema practitioners as they received sacred initiations and teachings for the first time from His Eminence. Many of the lay practitioners said that they felt assured and confident after receiving the initiations.
Hundreds of devotees took home Sachhu Bumter Vase and Throema statues. Proceeds from the sale of vases and statues were presented to the nuns of the goenpa.
People from as far as Yurung, a day’s walk from the goenpa, came to receive the blessing. This is Rinpoche’s second visit to the goenpa after it was offered to him by one of his foremost disciples, Lam Singye Dradok, in March 2007.
On the day of the wang, the hour-long footpath to the goenpa saw an endless river of people all ages. Occasionally, the human stream got jammed whenever a few elderly people found negotiating some hostile stretch of the path difficult or when mothers with infants on their back tried to be cautious.
Abi Thinley, in her sixties, ensured that her frail elder sister did not miss the blessing of Rinpoche and accompanied her to the wang. “An occasion like this rarely comes our way and that is why, I am keen on ensuring that my sister does not miss it,” she said.
Sangay Dorji from Gamong village and Sangay Dendup from Yalang village said that almost all the people from their villages locked up their houses and came for the blessing with packed lunch. “We cannot think of missing a rare occasion like this,” Sangay said.
Dorji Chhoeling Goenpa is earlier known as Totpalung Goenpa. Lam Singye Dradok’s grandfather, a respected laymonk, spent most of his life meditating there. Lam Singye revived the reputation of the place by building a small but beautiful Zangdogpelri Lhakhang and offering it to Garab Rinpoche. Today, Lam Singye privately supports 26 anims and some drupdepas of the goenpa.
With Garab Rinpoche making his annual visit to the goenpa, and many volunteers coming forth with their pledge to support the goenpa in any way possible, the continuity of the legacy of a serene Dorji Chhoeling Goenpa remains assured.
By Gyembo Namgyel
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