CONSOLIDATION OF NYINGMA MONLAM CHENMO
The beginnings of the Monlam was heralded, in the early eighties, by HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and HH Dodrupchen Rinpoche who individually led hundreds of Nyingma monks and nuns in performing the Monlam which involved the chanting of the Arya-bhadracharya Pranidhanaraj, the most revered aspiration prayers a hundred thousand times. This led to the formal inauguration of the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo in 1989 principally through the instigation, generosity and far-sighted vision of Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche. The participation of many enlightened Nyingma masters like HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, HH Penor Rinpoche, HH Minling Trichen Rinpoche, HH Chadral Sangay Dorje Rinpoche, HH Tsetul Rinpoche, HH Trulshig Rinpoche, Tarthang Tulku whose divine presence and blessings made a great impact on all the disciples.
The unity of all legendaries of the present Nyingma Tradition ultimately culminated in the formation of a charitable foundation “NYINGMAMONLAM CHENMO INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION” as a forum under which the Monlam is being organized.
HH Chadral Rinpoche desired one’s participation in Monlam to be sathvic and all participants are served vegetarian food. HH Chadral Rinpoche and Tarthang Tulku presented a discourse on the importance of the Vajra seat in the Sutryana and Vajrayana traditions.
Initially Monlam was organised by Tarthang Shedra, Kathmandu headed by Palyul Choktrul Rinpoche and Khenpo Rigzin Dorje and his fraternity. Later other Nyingma Monasteries viz., Palyul Thegchok Namdroling Monastery of HH Penor Rinpoche, Mindroling Monastery, Shechen Tennyi Thargaylinh Monastery, Dzogchen Monastery of Dzogchen Rinpoche, Palyul Chokhorling Monastery of Ringu Tulku, Simla Dorjedak Monastery, Chokling Monastery and various Nyingma Monasteries from Sikkim in India and in Bhutan and Nepal took the organizing responsibilities.
Our Major Donors towards food expenses at Monlam are:
H.H. Penor Rinpoche Chairman,Penor Rinpoche Charity Foundation Namdroling Monastery, Bylakuppe and his associated centers and Disciples from Hong Kong and Phillipines | Rs.18,00,000/- for 2005 Monlam Rs.20,00,000/- for 2006 Monlam Rs.18,73,416/- for 2007 Monlam |
H.E. Minling Khenchen Rinpoche Mindroling Monastery Dehradun | Rs.21,76,439/- for 2008 Monlam |
Khenpo Sangye Rangjung Nyingma Palyul Urgen Dorjee Choling Monastery Talku 5 Pharbing, Kathmandu | Rs.39,00,000/- for 2009 Monlam |
H.E.Minling Khenchen Rinpoche Mindroling Monastery Dehradun | Rs.40,00,000/- for 2010 Monlam |
Shechen Khenpo Thupten Tsultrim | Rs.40,00,000/- for 2011 Monlam |
Shechen Khenpo Thupten Tsultrim | Rs.40,00,000/- for 2012 Monlam |
Shechen Khenpo Pema Kunzang | Rs.40,00,000/- for 2013 Monlam |
Palyul Lhatrul Rinpoche Nepal | Rs.40,00,000/- for 2014 Monlam |
Tulku Ogyen Rinpoche | Rs.39,90,189/- for 2015 Monlam |
Tulku Kunzang Rinpoche | Rs.45,00,000/- for 2016 Monlam |
Tulku Ogyen Rinpoche | Rs.40,00,000/- for 2017 Monlam |
Khenpo Ngawang Lobsang Rinpoche | Rs.41,00,000/- for 2018 Monlam |
Tulku Damcho Rinpoche | Rs.40,00,000/- for 2019 Monlam |
The Nyingma Monlam Chenmo has assumed paramount importance amongst the followers of Nyingma Tradition. The Monlams in the past two decades has witnessed steep growth of number of participants, year after year, from seven to eight hundred in the initial years to over ten thousands now from different parts of India , Nepal , Bhutan and other parts of the world. The growth started posing serious logistical challenges, especially with regards to making arrangements for their accommodation. The arrangements by hiring giant-sized tents and booking local hotels in the initial years proved to be inadequate in the later years. This challenge led in establishment of Nyingma Monlam Dharmashala at Bodhgaya which is also visioned as the place for imparting advanced teachings in Nyingma Tradition in the years to come.