February 2008

The stupa was consecrated on the 24th of February with 16 ordained sangha in attendance. Among the other people present were Stan Semenhof, the Mayor of Whangarei and Professor Patu Hohepa representing Ngapuhi as well as members of other Buddhist centres and residents of Whangarei. The stupa is the culmination of extensive and dedicated hard work by the Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling members with the wider community’s help and generosity. Co-director of the centre, Paul Currie, declared the stupa open to the public for everybody to visit. Venerable Thupten Tulku Rinpoche and Geshe Sonam Rinchen each gave short teachings outlining the purpose of the stupa, what it represents and how it ties in to Buddhist teachings and practice.

Here are some photos taken at the opening. Clicking on the thumbnail pictures will take you to a larger version which may take some time to load for those without a fast internet connection. Click the ‘back’ button on your browser to return to this page. The photos are Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling’s; to reproduce them please contact Paul Currie at Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling.

For more information on the Stupa and to see photos of it being built you can visit the Jam Tse Dhargyey Ling Buddhist Centre by clicking on this link.

Geshe Yonten Gyatso has spent his life studying and practising the teachings of an unbroken lineage of Buddhist masters right back to Shakyamuni Buddha.

Geshe Yonten Gyatso was captured and imprisoned while trying to escape from Tibet in 1959 and spent three years in jail under extremely harsh and inhumane conditions. Eventually he was able to return to Labrang Monastery and was later chosen by the Panchen Lama to be the resident teacher at his monastery. In 1985 Khensur Thapkhey Rinpoche (the founder of Trashi Gomang) went to see him on behalf of Drepung Gomang (the monastery with which Trashi Gomang is associated) to go to India to teach and eventually the Panchen Lama granted him permission to do so. Since then Geshe Yonten Gyatso has been teaching at Gomang Monastery and is now one of the most revered teachers, renowned for his knowledge of both sutra and tantra.

Through Geshe Dhonam’s request and the support of sponsors who have paid for the flights, we are extremely fortunate that Geshe Yonten Gyatso is able to visit New Zealand for a third time. There is no charge to attend any of his teachings but donations towards the other costs of the trip will be very helpful.

Geshe Yonten Gyatso will be giving teachings in Auckland at Trashi Gomang Buddhist Centre; the teaching schedule is here.

Geshe Yonten Gyatso will also be teaching in Wellington at Trashi Ge Phel Ling Buddhist Centre. Brief details are on the schedule page. For further information, see Trashi Ge Phel Ling’s website here for more information.

(Earlier Picture of Geshe Yonten Gyatso)