Monastery Bodhgaya - Dhargye Chokhor Ling

Dhargye Chokhor Ling Monastery,
Beru Khyentse Rinpoches monastery in Bodhgaya/India

Since Dec. 2010 supported by the KHCP

Original speech of Beru Khyentse Rinpoche regarding 30th anniversary of the monastery, Dec. 2010

Good Evening and Tashi Delek everyone!
It is now the 30th year since the origination of Pel Karmai Chogar Dongak Shedrup Thupten Dargye Chokhorling Monastery in Bodhgaya, so I wish to share with you a brief history of the Monastery.
Throughout the years there have been many revered guests – the chief among them being the Gyalwang Karmapa Thinley Thaye Dorje and other precious Rinpoches along with Khenpos, Lamas, Monks, Nuns and devotees from countries in the East and West.
All came without caring for the difficulties they could have faced , something which I sincerely appreciated.
The conception of this monastery arose from the wish of His Holiness The 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje to establish a Karma Kagyu Monastery in Bodhgaya.
So according to his wish, in 1977, I applied to both the State Government of Bihar and the Central Government for a plot of land.
I personally met with His Holiness The Dalai Lama and he asked his representative in Delhi to help, who then sent a letter to the Central Government. Later, The Central Government ordered the State Government to grant a plot of land. Finally after four years, I received this piece of land and requested His Holiness The Dalai Lama to bless the land before construction. Originally I had planned to have The 16th Gyalwa Karmapa to perform the Ground Breaking Ceremony, but unfortunately, he had passed away that year. However, it was due to his continuous blessings that I was able to complete the building of the monastery easily.

H.H.Dalai Lama performing the ground breaking ceremony for the monastery of Beru Kyentse Rinpoche in 1981

Under construction in 1982

H.H.Dalai Lama performing the consecration ceremony for the monastery and statues in 1985

Beru Kyentse Rinpoche presented gifts to the president of India

In 1985, I invited His Holiness The Dalai Lama again to do the Purification and Consecration Ceremony. At that time, he briefly taught the “Jewel Ornament of Liberation” and freely gave advices from his heart. We also offered a ceremony for the long life of His Holiness Dalai Lama.
In 1988 , December 23rd, the president of India, Venkat Raman was invited to inaugurate the Monastery. At that time, he kindly offered the big solar lamps to the Monastery.
In 1989, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche along with other Kagyu, Nyingma Rinpoches and Tulkus, Monks, and Nuns performed the Drubchen of Karma Lingpa Shitro and at that time, Dharma Medicine was made.
From 1983 to 1990 , Kyabje Kalu Rinpoche came here every winter for 8 years, to perform the Kagyu Monlam under the Bodhi Tree. During this time, He resided in this monastery and also bestowed over the years all the empowerments and transmissions and teachings of the Shangpa Kagyu.
At the same time, it was here that he initiated the translation of Jamgon Kongtrul’s Compendium of Knowledge from Tibetan to English.
Between 1985-1990 , His Holinese Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche stayed here every winter for six years and bestowed all the empowerments of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo that weren’t included in the Rinchen Terzod. Also he gave the teachings of Longchenpa’s Seven Treasures. During this time, H.H. The Dalai Lama also came to receive teachings from H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

From 1992-2006, for fifteen years, Kyabje Drubwang Penor Rinpoche stayed here every winter during the Nyingma Monlam which he lead. Each time, all the Nyingma Lamas, and Sangha were supported by this monastery.
From the Sakya school, H.H. Sakya Trinzin, Kyabje Chojyad Trinchin Rinpoche and Ngor Luding Khenchen Rinpoche have come to bless the monastery.
Over the years, H.H. Mindroling Trinchin Rinpoche, Kyabje Trulshik Rinpoche, Kyabje Talung Tsetrul Rinpoche and Khenchen Pema Tsewang from Nyingmapa School have all resided in this monastery.
From the Gelukpa school, Yongzing Ling Rinpoche Yangsi and Tara Rinpoche came to bless the monastery.
From the Karma Kagyu School, all the Regents, Tulkus, Khenpos, Lamas have all stayed here.
From the Drikung Kagyu, Kyabje Chetsang Rinpoche and Gar Rinpoche have also blessed the monastery. From Taklung Kagyu, Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche and from Drukpa Kagyu, the 9th Khamtrul Rinpoche and Drukpa Yongdzin have all come and blessed this monastery.
I am relating all this in order to show that this monastery is not only for Karma Kagyu, but it also belongs to the non- sectarian or Rime Tradition.
In 1996, Kunzig Shamarpa Rinpoche performed the Hair–Cutting Ceremony for His Holiness The 17th Karmapa Thinley Thaye Dorje in front of the Mahabodhi Buddha Statue and then the Enthronement ceremony under the Bodhi Tree. After that His Holiness the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa stayed in the suite complete with Karma Kagyu Lineage shrine which is specially built on the second floor for His Holiness.

The monastery during an initiation with Gyalwa Karmapa in 2010

Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche and Beru Kyentse Rinpoche with their monks in 2012

On the next day a special throne sitting ceremony followed by the offering of Body, Speech and Mind was performed in the main hall to wish for his long life and the flourishing of his activities.
It was during that time that H.H. The 17th Karmapa recognised my son as the 3rd Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Chokyi Singe Rinpoche’s incarnation.
In 1997, H.H. The Dalai Lama performed the Hair-Cutting Ceremony for Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche.
In 1999, I requested H.H. The Dalai Lama to give permission to enthrone the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche which he gave in the beginning of the following year.
In the year of 2000, January 1st, the Head of Nyingmapa school, H.H. Dubwang Pema Norbu Rinpoche was also invited for the enthronement of the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. He too wrote us a “support letter”. Everthing went smoothly well and successfully.

In conclusion, since the monastery was built, it has supported many dharma activities and has served many masters according to the non-sectarian tradition uptill now.
I think this is my fortune and merits.

Again, I would like to say:
“May the Buddha again come to this world.
May the Buddha’s teachings be like the sun, eliminate all the darkness.
May all the holders of his teachings be courageous have long lives.
May all the Dharma flourish and spread and remain for a long time.”
SARWA MANGALAM