2nd ADC - The First Day
- In Newsroom
- Post 06 April 2010
The gate at the entrance to Druk Amitabha Mountain from the ring road
On the eve of the second Annual Drukpa Council, Drukpa volunteers transform Druk Amitabha Mountain into a first-class convention center complete with a monumental statute of Buddha Amitabha and the 4th Gyalwang Drukpa Kunkhyen Pema Karpo towering over 3 stories high. Now that the Naro Assembly Hall is complete, offices on all 4 levels are buzzing with volunteers polishing the final program: the director of the Cultural Show facilitates rehearsals, the media team prepares to host an unprecedented number of members of the international press and the audio-visual team tests the state of the art technology.
While 800 nuns perform the Avalokiteshvara Drubchen, the protocol committee and the remainder of the nuns and monks receive the VIP guests which include the great masters of the Drukpa Lineage. All were pleased with the reception and excited to see old and new friends.
Nuns in the Drubchen
Kyabje Sengdrak Rinpoche in the puja
Nuns performing dance
Nuns performing dance
The Naro Assembly Hall hosts two major meetings. Over 50 Drukpa Rinpoches, Khenpos and Abbots convene to discuss the accomplishments and future direction of the Drukpa Lineage. In the evening, these distinguished Drukpa monastic leaders met with representatives of over 25 Drukpa centers to discuss local projects and successes. Drukpa Plouray and Drukpa Hamburg shared with the group the history of both its grassroots work which began over 25 years ago and its impressive growth over the years.
Gen Pemba Tsering, General Secretary and Drubpon Ngawang, His Holiness's representative in Europe
The air of Druk Amitabha Mountain is filled with enthusiasm and anticipation for the opening ceremonies.
Nuns receiving arriving Rinpoches
Kyabje Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche Tenzin Chokyi Gyatso leading all the Rinpoches
Kyabje Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche being welcome by a senior monk
Masters of the lineage going up the central stairway
Part of the welcoming procession
Kyabje Drukpa Choegon Rinpoche being received by devotees from Garsha
His Holiness greeting a student from Hong Kong
Monks getting the hall ready for the public opening of the 2nd ADC
His Holiness having a relaxed moment
His Holiness personally checking all the decorations on Druk Amitabha Mountain
His Holiness greeting all the lineage masters, one by one
His Holiness hosting lunch
The meeting among all the masters
Volunteers busy making tea
