* * * Edited on January, 18th, 2018 * * *
Enthronement Ceremony of the 34th Menri Trizin
To the Bon Community around the world,
As you all know that Geshe Dawa Dhargyal has been recently selected as the 34th Menri Trizin through Tagdil-the authentic and unique Bon tradition in which chief protectors and deities of Yungdrung Bon were invoked to reveal the truth and help choose the right canditate, a brief enthronement ceremony has been decided to hold on the meritorious day of the Birth Anniversary of Nyamme Sherab Gyaltsen at Menri Monastery on February 20, 2018.
All of you are cordially invited to join the ceremony.
Yungdrung Bon Monastic Centre Society.
* * * Edited on January, 1st, 2018 * * *
Dear friends,
Today, we are pleased to announce that Geshe Dawa Dargye of Amdo has been selected to become the new abbot of Menri Monastery, spiritual leader of the Bön lineage, H.H. 34th Menri Trizin.
Lama Samten Yeshe is pleased with the appointment of Geshe Dawa Dargye, whom he is well acquainted with for having studied with him and worked for 5 years with him at the Menri Monastery.
We wish Geshe Dawa Dargye much success in fulfilling his new responsibilities!
A very happy new year to all of you.
Tazig Samten Ling’s team
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Lungtok Tenpai Nyima Rinpoche, the 33rd Menri Trizin, spiritual leader of the Bön lineage being awake on September 14, 2017, the election of the next abbot of Menri Monastery, the 34th, is underway.
Here is the official announcement of the Yungdrung Bon Monastic Center Society, which contains more details about Tagdil, the ancient and unique selection process of the Abbot of Menri Monastery.
Dated 21st December, 2017
Dear Bönpo Followers,
We hope you are doing well. I’m sure many of you are eagerly waiting for news about the appointment for the great successor, 34th Abbot of Menri Monastery. Since the passing of the 33rd Menri Trizin into paranirvana, the highest spiritual leaders of Yungdrung Bön have been deeply engaged in discussion concerning this selection. After much deliberation, we have finally reached a decision.
At this moment we are selecting geshes from Menri Monastery in India and also from Triten Norbutse Monastery in Nepal. We have decided to only include those geshes who are residing outside of Tibet due to present situation. There are about 60 geshes on this list.
On the 19th of December each name was put inside a special pill made of tsampa, and blessed medicinal substances and then dried in the sun.
On the 21st of December, the monks of Menri started the ritual for cleansing obstacles in the selection of the 34th Menri Abbot.
On the 22nd we started the main rituals which will take 6 days. During these days prayers will take place in the Protector Temple, where two special vases will be placed with all of the candidates names sealed in wax.
There, high lamas and monks will pray in the Protector Temple until the 27th of December. Prayers will be made to the Protectors and Deities, for help in choosing the most qualified geshe from the vase.
During this time the majority of Menri Monastery’s monks will pray in the main temple and offer 100.000 tsok offerings to Syipe Gyalmo. Concurrent to this, prayers will be offered in the Menri Abbot’s residence to the main yidam of Menri Abbot: Purbha.
On the morning on the 27th, H.E Menri Ponlop Rinpoche will shake the two vases. After shaking the first vase the name of the first candidate will spring forth, and after shaking the second vase the name of second candidate will similarly jump from its vase.
After the selection of those two names they will be put together in one vase. The high lamas will then pray for another 5 days.
On the 1st of January 2018 the vase with the two names will be shaken in the main temple in front of the statue of Buddha Tonpa Shenrab Miwo in the presence of the public. When the pill arises from the vase, everyone will be able to receive its blessings, and also have the opportunity to make their commitment, give their respects and seal their trust in the new Menri Abbot, who has been chosen by the Protectors and Deities. This is a most rare and special way for selecting an Abbot.
Please during this time, wherever you are, join in the prayers to support the selection of the best Geshe for the 34th Menri Trizin.
Mustug Marro
General Secretary
Geshe Dawa Dhargyal
Yungdrung Bon Monastic Center Society
Photo credit : Monastery of Menri