Introduction of Drupchen (Great Ceremonies) in the Monastery

As Phagchok Monastery gained more stability, His Eminence Phagchok Lama Rinpoche aspired to introduce Drupchens (Grant ceremonies) which were of vital importance within the monastic tradition. After much effort and with genuine teamwork, Phagchok Lama with a few of his practitioners of the 4th batch was successful with introducing the Drupchen of Phurpa Namchak Pudri in 1999. All the hopes and aspirations of His Eminence were fulfilled when they were able to invite His Holiness Kyabjey Garab Rinpoche (Grand Son of H.H. Dudjom Rinpoche) for the Drupchen.

Since the completion of the monastery in 1974, Rinpoche always wanted to invite His Holiness Kyabjey Dudjom Rinpoche but found it to be impossible. He then dreamt of inviting His Holiness Kyabjey Dungsey Thinley Norbu Rinpoche (Son of H.H Dujom Rinpoche) to the monastery. Unfortunately, due to some impediments, the plan of inviting H.H Dungsey Rinpoche also failed to lead to the crash of Rinpoche’s humble dream. Later it became His Eminence Phagchok Rinpoche’s last objective to invite anyone from His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche’s family. It was at last fulfilled when His Holiness Garab Rinpoche kindly made his first visit to the remote village of Shingkhar Lauri in 1997. The spirit of inviting all Rinpoches from the Dudjom family is carried on by his sons to this day. His four sons are attempting to invite His Holiness Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche and Tulku Jampel Rinpoche respectively under Lama Rinpoche Kuenzang Dorji’s guidance.

The presence of His Holiness Garab Rinpoche in the first Drupchen ever conducted atPhagchok Gonpa was one of the most memorable times of the monastery as well as for the people in the community. Many auspicious signs appeared signifying good omens and the seeds of fulfilling happiness of all the beings were progressively sown.

The year 2007 was seen to be a rough and unfortunate year for both the monastery and community as the precious jewel of the village, H.E. Phagchok Lama Rinpoche left this impure world and entered the place of immense bliss. After per nirvana of Rinpoche in 2007, the monastery started conducting the Drupchen of Dorsem (grant ceremony to propitiate Vajrasattava).

It is conducted annually from the 19th day of the 9th month in the lunar calendar and is carried on for a week. After the Dorsem Drupchen in 2012, the monastery had conducted six Drupchen ceremonies and still looks forward to conducting it every year until the end of the Samsara.