His Holiness the Je Khenpo conferred Lekdhar to the newly appointed Chief of Mask Dances of the Central Monastic Body and three new lams of various monasteries, at Tashichhoedzong this morning.
The new Chief of Mask Dances is 48-year-old Tshewang Rinzin, from Kana in Haa. He joined Pung-Thim Dratshang when he was nine years old and studied mask dances, mandala making, and rituals.
He also received teachings from many great masters and completed a three-year meditation retreat. Before this appointment, he served as the Disciplinarian of Mask Dances at the Central Monastic Body.
39-year-old Lopen Tshering Dorji from Toeb Boegarna in Punakha, is the new Lam of Katsho Gonpa in Haa. He joined Pung-Thim Dratshang at the age of seven and studied at Dechenphodrang Monastic School and later pursued higher studies at Sewla Shedra and Kanglung Shedra.
He has a master’s degree from Tango Buddhist University and completed a three-year meditation retreat at Dolung Meditation Centre. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Disciplinarian of Yonten division of Pung-Thim Dratshang.
Lam Dawa from Damji in Chhukha, is the new Lam of Ugyen Choling in Punakha. The 35-year-old started monastic education at the age of twelve at Pung-Thim Dratshang and later studied at Simtokha Shedra.
He has a master’s degree from Tango Buddhist University and also completed a three-year retreat at Chari Meditation Centre. He worked as a lecturer at Simtokha Shedra before this appointment.
And 39-year-old Lopen Phurpa Yeshi from Samtengang in Dagana, has been appointed as the new Lam of Jala in Wangdue Phodrang. He also joined Pung-Thim Dratshang and studied at Dechenphodrang Monastic School and Simtokha Shedra.
He previously served at the Sangha Administration Office of the Central Monastic Body.
Kinley Bidha
