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)

An astounding 400,000 people attended the Monlam Festival in Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s Sampheling Monastery in Chatreng, Tibet from 5-12 March, 2014. The Gelugpa Monlam Chenmo (or Great Prayer Festival), one of the most significant religious events in Buddhist Tibet, was established by Lama Tsongkapa in 1409. Without doubt, the overwhelming response in Sampheling Monastery on this occasion is testament to Chatreng’s intense guru devotion and faith in their pure lineage and great protector Dorje Shugden.

Today, Sampheling Monastery is the pride and crown jewel of the people of Chatreng. Currently, the monastery has hundreds of monks and thousands of lay devotees, who are responsible for the rebuilding of the great monastery. In grandeur, Lama Tsongkhapa’s statue stands three stories high inside the monastery and the main gate, with its unique design, was lovingly hand crafted by the devotees.

400,000 people attended the Monlam Chenmo celebrations in Sampheling Monastery, Chatreng

The rich history of Chatreng is unquestionably interwoven with the great H.H. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, whom Chatrengpas venerate as “their” lama. One of the greatest masters of recent times, Kyabe Trijang Dorje Chang is the teacher, direct or indirect, of practically all Gelugpa lamas teaching Dharma today, including H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama. In fact, most of the Dalai Lama’s teachings, commentaries and practices he is transmitting today arise from Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang. Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang was also the holder of the Ganden Oral tradition, passed to him in its entirety by his root guru, Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, and a staunch proponent of Dorje Shugden’s practice.

The people of Chatreng will always be remembered for their pivotal role in helping the 14th Dalai Lama escape the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959. It was none other than Dorje Shugden, via the Panglung Oracle, who selected a group of brave warriors from Chatreng to escort the Dalai Lama out of Tibet and into India. Why? Because Chatreng’s people are known for their bravery, loyalty and unquestioning devotion to Dorje Shugden. This group of warriors, known as the Chushi Gangdruk, were the Dalai Lama’s personal bodyguards in his flight to safety and although many unfortunately perished in this historical heroic act, their sacrifice has allowed Tibetan Buddhism to flourish across the world.

In short, the people of Chatreng have unshakable faith in their guru, their pure lineage and their protector. No wonder that despite the best efforts of the Dalai Lama and Central Tibetan Administration, Chatrengpas remain steadfast to H.H. Trijang Rinpoche and Dorje Shugden, and will never change their views for the sake of convenience or political correctness.

More photos from the Monlam Chenmo celebrations in Sampheling Monastery

Dear Wisdom Being, 
Thank you for this wonderful video of Sampheling monastery. It is so beautiful to imagine Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche has once walked through these walkways to give teachings and advice to the predecessors of these monks.

Have you guys read the autobiography of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche? When Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche first came here in his previous life, he was not at all welcome.

But through his hard work, sincerity, great compassion and wisdom in teaching the monks, everybody turned around and began to respect and love Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche a lot. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche completely revitalized the monastery and he is remembered today for the great High Lama that he was. It was because of Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche that the monastery is a stalwart upholder of Dorje Shugden’s lineage.

From Zawa Tulku Rinpoche (on Facebook):

I have nothing particular to say, all Chatring-Pa (the people who live in this region) whether you are in India, Europe, and America etc, I have one very important request to you, you all must sincerely follow and respect to our precious His Holiness Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche. He is the one living Buddha in our time.

We must not have wrong views, and do not follow the wrong path. The way to our enlightenment is to follow the Buddhas, and our lineage holder is from Tsongkhapa to the present Masters, and our protector is Dharmapala Dorjee Shugden.

In the Chatring region from beginning till now, we are following and practicing those high beings. This is the gift to you from your elder generation. Wherever you are living and staying, you should always obey the laws and regulations of the country of one’s residence.

My last wishes are that you have a very long life and may the activities of His Holiness Trijang Choktrul Rinpoche flourish. Wherever you are, you must stand united for this issue. Lastly, Tashi Deleg to all.