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Return to
The Jamgon Kongtrul Monasteries

Lava Monastery, India 
Paramita Charitable Trust, Kalimpong 
Pullahari Monastery and Retreat Centre, Nepal 

  
H.E. the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche with
the Very Ven. Bokhar Rinpoche, November 1, 1997

Return to Lava Monastery, India
At the invitation of the Paramita Charitable Trust of India, established by the Third Jamgon Kongtrul, and the devoted sangha of Lava monastery and retreat centre, Kagyu Thekchen Ling and Ngedon Chagchen Ling, His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche the Fourth returned to take his seat as Chief Abbot of the monastery and retreat centre in Lava, one of the seats of the Jamgon Kongtruls in India, on October 29, 1997.

His Eminence began his journey to Lava early that morning, accompanied by Kalu Rinpoche, Bokhar Rinpoche, Tenzin Dorjee, and many monks and devotees. They travelled slowly, as many devotees from the local communities along the way had come, bearing khataks, incense, and flowers, to pay their respect to the young Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. Altogether, sixteen gates of welcome for His Eminence were erected by the local communities between Salagara and Lava.

A traditional ceremonial procession of monks playing the drums, gyalings and ritual instruments, and a Tibetan lion-dance procession by devotees of the local communities, guided the motorcade from a mile away until their destination at the monastery. The road, on which auspicious symbols had been drawn, was strewn with flowers by well-wishers and the air was thick with smoke from burning incense. As they were approaching Lava monastery, a big rainbow appeared around the sun in the sky, which could be seen by everyone. It was a bright and cloudless day, and all were amazed and deeply touched by the auspicious sign.

  
H.E. the 4th Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche's return
to His Seat in India at Lava Monastery, Oct. 1997

Passing by the Jamgon Kongtrul IIIrd Memorial Health Care Centre, His Eminence arrived at the monastery at 10:30 a.m. To greet him on his arrival were his very devoted monks, Sonam Chopel and Khenpo Sherab Gyaltsen, who were mainly responsible for organising the welcoming ceremony and the events that day. Many dignitaries from Kalimpong, Darjeeling and Sikkim, and more than 6,000 people, comprising Rinpoches, lamas, monks and devotees, had gathered to welcome His Eminence. The Chief Guest was Mr. C.K. Pradhan, Honourable President of the Kalimpong Subdivision of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council and Executive Councillor for Tourism in Kalimpong and Darjeeling. Also present were honourable representatives from: the Office of the Dalai Lama in Kalimpong; the Joint Action Committee of Sikkim; Rumtek Monastery; Nalanda Institute of Higher Buddhist Studies; the monastery of His Eminence Goshir Gyaltshab Rinpoche; and many other monasteries and organisations.

Local residents from the communities around offered many dances and songs to His Eminence, and the whole ceremony lasted until 6 p.m. that evening. The monastery hosted lunch for all present. His Eminence graced the entire series of events by his presence. Although he was not even two years old at that time, he sat for six hours, and blessed everyone individually, assisted by the Very Ven. Bokhar Rinpoche.

The next morning, His Eminence visited his retreat centre in Lava, Ngedon Chagchen Ling, accompanied by Bokhar Rinpoche, who is the retreat master. The weather was clear and the sun was shining brightly. When His Eminence entered the retreat centre, a beautiful rainbow appeared around the sun. It was another auspicious sign and, again, everyone was very amazed.

Visit to the projects of the Paramita Charitable Trust in Kalimpong 

Return to His Main Seat at Pullahari Monastery and Retreat Centre, Nepal