Bodh Gaya: On 23 January 2026, at the sacred site of Bodh Gaya, the inauguration ceremony of the Padmasambhava Grand Temple of the Nyingma Centre was held. On this auspicious occasion, the Secretary of the Department of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration, Dhondul Dorjee, was invited as a special guest and attended the ceremony.

The programme commenced with the recitation of the Eight Auspicious Verses led by the chant master, followed by a Spontaneous Fulfilment of Wishes (Sampa Lhundrupma) accumulation at 10:00 a.m.

After an-hour-long prayer offerings, the distinguished guests took their seats in the Assembly Hall of the Eight Great Gates on the right side of the temple. They were formally received with a ceremonial procession led by the Chairman of the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo at Bodh Gaya, Kyabje Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, along with the deputy heads, Kyabje Mindrolling Khenchen Rinpoche and Kyabje Khentrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche. The Chief Guest of the event, the Honourable Governor of Bihar, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, was accorded a warm welcome.

Subsequently, the Chief Guest and the two special guests jointly untied the auspicious ribbon to inaugurate the temple, opened the main doors, took their seats, and lit the ceremonial butter lamps.

This was followed by a welcome address delivered by Kyabje Mindrolling Khenchen Rinpoche. The chant master then led the recitation of the Three Continuous Verses, followed by the offering of prostrations to the elders. Tea and sweet rice were served to the distinguished guests, the Sangha, and the general public.

On the occasion, Deepa Thakur recited the Heart Sutra in Sanskrit, while devotional performances of the Seven-Line Prayer were melodiously presented by singer Karma Tsewang, along with Shri Raman Maharajan.

Thereafter, Kyabje Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche delivered an address highlighting the significance of the inauguration. This was followed by speeches from several distinguished guests.

Among those who addressed the gathering were Hon. Zipa Tshering, former Member of Parliament from Nepal; Hon. Sonam Lama, Minister of the Ecclesiastical Department and Public Health Engineering Department, Government of Sikkim; and Hon. Lyonpo Tshering, Minister of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan.

The Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, read out a message from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Eventually, the Chief Guest, Shri Arif Mohammad Khan, delivered his address and presented certificates of appreciation to several individuals in recognition of their outstanding service to the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo at Bodh Gaya.

Awards were also presented to former Chief Organiser Khokhyim Rinpoche, Kyabje Ringu Trulku Rinpoche, former Treasurer Acharya Drakpa Lama, Khenpo Sonam Phurbu Negi, members of the Nyingma Research and Editorial Committee, auditor Ningoji Rao Kolekar, and Shri Vinayak.

Kyabje Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche further presented mementoes to the Chief Guest and other dignitaries, as well as tokens of appreciation to those involved in the planning and execution of the temple project.

Following this, Kyabje Khentrul Gyangkhang Rinpoche delivered a vote of thanks. The ceremony concluded with the Sangha reciting prayers for the flourishing of the Nyingma tradition.

The Padmasambhava Grand Temple has been architecturally designed in a style inspired by Samye Migyur Lhundrub Tsuglagkhang and the ancient Odantapuri Monastery, reflecting a harmonious blend of historic Buddhist architectural traditions.

Additionally, on 22 January 2026, upon arrival in Bodh Gaya, the Secretary of the Department of Religion and Culture paid courtesy calls at 9:30 a.m. to Kyabje Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, Chairman of the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo, and at 11:30 a.m. met with former Kalon Tripa Kyabje Kirti Rinpoche.