Bhutan now has the first batch of monks with Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies. His Holiness the Je Khenpo awarded the certificates to 30 monks of the Tango Institute for Advanced Vajrayana Studies today. Her Majesty the Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, Gyalsey Trulku Jigme Tenzin Wangpo and Vairochana Rinpoche Ngawang Jigme Jigten Wangchuck were also present at the ceremony.
The monks received the certificates today at the Tashichhodzong in Thimphu. They studied at the Tango Institute for Advanced Vajrayana Studies for two years which was established for the first time in Bhutan in 2020. This was for enhancing the growth of the Vajrayana practice in the country.
Gyalsey Trulku Jigme Tenzin Wangpo, the President of the Tango Institute for Advanced Vajrayana Studies said, ‘‘in the Vajrayana Buddhism, we have a choice to get enlightenment. If we cannot get enlightened from one method, we have other methods to get enlightened. Therefore, this practice has the ability to make its practitioners attain enlightenment in one lifetime. Secondly, it is important to learn Vajrayana tradition to know the way of conducting religious rituals.’’
During the award ceremony, His Holiness the Je Khenpo also launched a book titled ‘The Essence of the Teachings of Accomplished Vidhyadharas.’ The book contains research articles contributed by the graduated monks.
31-year-old Phub Namgay from Chhukha and 30-year-old Choki from Trongsa are among the graduates who were certified today. They said they were honored and blessed to receive the certificate and hope to contribute to the spread of Buddha Dharma.
“We are truly honored and blessed to receive our certificate from His Holiness the Je Khenpo in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, Her Royal Highness Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck and Vairochana Rinpoche. Initially, there were some challenges while starting the course but due to the blessings of the triple gem and the combined effort of the teachers and the students, we were able to successfully overcome all the challenges,’’ Phub Namgay said.
‘‘In my opinion, after receiving lots of Vajrayana teachings and learning this important practice, I hope to spread my knowledge as much as possible. While traveling to other places if we could share about such studies to other people, we would be able to make them understand the importance of the Vajrayana tradition,” Choki Dorji said.
Most of the graduated monks will go for a three-year retreat and some of them will serve as teachers in different institutes and Shedra under the Central Monastic Body.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Kipchu
