His Eminence Yangten Rinpochey la today had the honour of briefing His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the successful completion of two batches of a residential retreat organised at the Thiksey Library and Learning Centre, with 90% scholarship support provided to the participating students.
The retreat was conducted over a total of 9 days, with around 250 students participating across the two batches. Each batch had approximately 120 students and followed a 4½-day residential programme.
The retreat focused on the profound teachings of Acharya Shantideva’s Bodhisattva’s Way of Life and was led by Ven. Geshe Lhakdor la, providing students with an opportunity to study one of the most important texts of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition in a residential learning environment.
The programme was further enriched by the presence and guidance of several distinguished Buddhist masters and teachers. His Eminence Choegon Rinpoche, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche and His Eminence Yangten Rinpochey visited the retreat and shared their valuable advice with the students.
Geshe Konchok Wangdus la also kindly visited the programme and led one of the morning teaching sessions. The official Chinese translator to His Holiness the Dalai Lama also joined the retreat and led a session for the students.
Beyond the formal teachings, the retreat included a number of meaningful cultural and educational activities. Filmmaker Stanzin Gya screened his films for the students, while the participants also had the opportunity to visit Thiksey Monastery and Chamba Animal Care.
The students also expressed their devotion and gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama by performing songs dedicated to his long life. At the conclusion of the retreat, the students made a heartfelt request to Ven. Geshe Lhakdor la to continue returning to Ladakh and guiding such retreats in the future.
A lunch was also organised with His Eminence Thiksey Rinpochey la and His Eminence Ling Rinpoche. The organisers and participants expressed their heartfelt gratitude to His Eminence Thiksey Rinpochey for his generous support towards the programme.
On the concluding day, Ms. Bhanu Prabha, IAS, and Sh. Smanla, Former Hon’ble Councillor, visited the programme and facilitated the presentation of certificates to the participating students.
The two residential retreats offered students a rare and valuable opportunity to receive authentic teachings, interact with eminent Buddhist masters, explore Buddhist philosophy through study and reflection, and build a deeper connection with the living tradition of Buddhist learning in Ladakh.
Today, His Eminence Yangten Rinpochey la briefed His Holiness the Dalai Lama on the successful completion of the retreats, the participation of the students and the meaningful experiences shared during the programme.
