4

On the 29th of August, the last of the five monks who undertook his ritual exams finished his exams. At the end of the day, all five monks were congratulated with ceremonial white scarves and gifts from members of the Phuntsog Phodrang family, monastery officials and their peers and from their family members who had especially traveled from far to witness this event. It was a joyous occasion for the five monks who had worked hard to complete their graduation.

5

The annual Grand Vajrakilaya puja concluded on August 30th with a Vajrakilaya Kago (protection blessing) by H.E. Khöndhung Asanga Vajra Rinpoche to the monastic sangha as well as to the general public who had gathered to attend the dismantling ceremony of the sand mandala.

Following the dismantling of the sandal mandala by the Vajra Master, everybody gathered received blessings of the Phurbas or kilaya which is a ritual dagger used to represent the destruction of all obstacles and negativity.

6

In the afternoon of August 31st, His Eminence Khöndhung Asanga Vajra Rinpoche bestowed the Vajrapani Butadamara initiation to the monastic sangha including monks from the Kalimpong Sakya Monastery, Sakya Rimbick College, Kurseong Sakya Monastery and the Guru Sakya Monastery. Prior to the Vajrapani initiation, Rinpoche also gave the oral transmission and commentary on Ghang- blo- ma, prayer in praise of Manjushri, the Buddha of wisdom. As students of Buddhist ritual and scripture, Rinpoche encouraged the monks to engage in study and contemplation. Rinpoche also spoke about the benefits of both the ritual practice as well as learning of the scriptures of Tibetan Buddhism and that students should strive to respect and excel in both practices.

7

Asanga Vajra Rinpoche and his entourage of family members as well as attendants and patrons left Darjeeling on a clear morning on September 1st. All the young monks lined up to bid farewell with ceremonial scarves while the senior monastic officials joined the motorcade to escort Rinpoche to the Bagdhora airport.

8

Vajrakilaya puja and practice is a powerful practice for removing all obstacles. The annual Grand Vajrakilaya puja at the Guru Sakya Monastery is considered even more precious and powerful as this is the oldest Sakya monastery outside of Tibet.

In 1960, a small retinue of monks led by His Holiness the 41st Sakya Ghongma Trichen Rinpoche performed the first grand Vajrakilaya puja outside of Tibet here at the Guru Sakya Monastery. Then in 1961, the entire monastic sangha of Guru Sakya Monastery jointly performed the grand Vajrakilaya puja and since that time it has become an annual tradition that continues to the present time without any disruptions.