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| Benchen Nangten Thösam Ling (Shedra) A welcoming ceremony was held on 19 February 2007 for the 38students who entered the college. Although a big event was notplanned because this was not the actual inaugural ceremony, itsomehow became a well-organized celebration and the shrine hallwas filled with participants. Three days before the ceremony, TengaRinpoche led special pujas to dispel obstacles and for the successof the studies. During the ceremony, V.V. Tenga Rinpoche madebody, speech and mind offerings to H.E. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpochefor his long life and for him to turn the wheel of Dharmafor all sentient beings. Tenga Rinpoche gave Manjushristatues to all of the students of the shedra with greatwishing prayers for the success of their dharmastudies so that they would be able to help all sentientbeings. The statues were filled with mantras, especiallythe collection of Manjushri pills that were blessed withhundreds of thousands of mantras. The studentsreceived these statues with great joy.  (Rinpoche, Khenpos and monks in the shedra courtyard) Spring course participants gathering for a teaching in the shedra courtyardFor many years, both Rinpoches had wanted to establish a shedrain order to educate monks from Benchen as well as from othermonasteries. In 2004, the Rinpoches decided to have the shedra in Pharping because it is a holyplace and because it is very close to the Benchen Clear Light MeditationCenter. This shedra came into reality through the dharmaactivities and great efforts of the Abbot of Benchen Monastery,H.E. Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche.  (Rinpoche giving instructions to the shedra students) H.E. Nyenpa Rinpoche gave the introductory speech.Rinpoche emphasized how important it is to have ashedra in order to provide a scholastic forum for theteachings of Buddha Dharma. He urged all thestudents to apply themselves diligently so that throughtheir understanding the would be able to help themselvesas well as others in the future. Also during theceremony Rinpoche read out the rules and regulations tobe followed which were prepared by the khempos of theshedra. Rinpoche thanked all the people who were involved in thisproject, and presented them with kadaks and gifts.To the delight of the Rinpoches, students and participants, a shortdebate, as is traditionally done during such ceremonies, was heldat the conclusion. This was followed by the offering of gifts andkadaks to the khempos and students by all of the well-wishers.At the time of the welcoming ceremony the wall paintings in thelhakang of the shedra had not yet been completed, but theRinpoches decided that time was so precious it was essential tostart the classes as soon as possible. The actual inauguralceremony will be held in the future.
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