Shimla: On 17 May 2026, Dhondul Dorjee, Secretary of the Department of Home of the Central Tibetan Administration, attended the Shimla-based Thupten Dorje Drak Aewam Chokgar’s historic enthronement of first batch of Khenpos (Abbots) from its monastic college Thupten Lungtok Shedrup Phende Ling as its chief guest.
At 5 a.m., in the gracious presence of Kyabje 7th Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche Jamyang Yeshe Tenpai Gyaltsen Pal Sangpo, the monks receiving the abbot titles recited tsedrup chagdongma, a Nyingmapa Jangter’s tradition for invoking the blessing of longevity. At 9 a.m., after all guests had assembled in the main hall, Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche was formally welcomed with the offering of incense.
The monastery’s first batch of Khenpos were then ceremonially invited by the disciplinarian, who led the procession with burning incense. The abbots subsequently received ritual purification and obstacle-clearing rites.
Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche then awarded certificates to the new abbots and bestowed the ceremonial abbot hats upon them, followed by a religious discourse and a long-life empowerment ceremony. After the serving of auspicious sweet rice and tea, Chairman Yarphel addressed the gathering regarding the significance of the event, followed by speeches from Secretary Dhondul Dorjee and Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche.
Rinpoche also honoured practitioners who had completed a three-year and three-month meditation retreat at Drubde Thegchhog Woesal Ling and Drubde Ngedon Pema Ling retreat centres. In addition, individuals who had served the monastery for many years were presented with tokens of appreciation.
The programme then followed with guests and devotees offering khatags to the newly enthroned abbots. The ceremony concluded with the recitation of auspicious prayers.
On 16 May, Secretary Dhondul Dorjee paid a visit to Kyabje Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche at Thupten Dorje Drak Aewam Chokgar and presented His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s book Voice for the Voiceless to the Rinpoche. Similarly, in the afternoon of 17 May, Secretary paid a visit to Kyabje Taklung Rinpoche’s reincarnation Choktrul Rinpoche Jikdrel Pema Shedrup Tenpai Gyaltsen and presented the Rinpoche with His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s book Voice of the Voiceless.
