In February 2020, on my foot journey following Xuanzang, I visited Ms Valveri Hara who lives near the remains of the ancient city of Shrugna (now Sugh). The house of Ms Hara is built over an ancient mound, most likely the Ashokan Stupa to mark the place where the Buddha gave sermons as mentioned by Xuanzang. One can visit the story on my blog here. Lost Ashokan Stūpa of Śhrugna (now Sugh)
On 23rd March 2023, Most Venerable Khen Rinpoche Sonam Gyatso along with eminent masters from Shakya College, Dehradun offered prayers at the house of Ms. Valveri Hara. Venerable Monks said that we have no words to express our thankfulness and the feelings in our heart for Ms Hara. She is a wonderful host, and the day was great.
Most Venerable Khen Rinpoche and venerable monks with him also offered prayers at Chaneti Stupa and Topra Kalan Ashokan pillar site. Siddharth Gauri, the local heritage volunteer, has been actively engaged in facilitating revitalisation of the Buddhist heritage sites in Haryana for the last 15 years. We are grateful to Siddhartha for facilitating the visit of Most Venerable Khen Rinpoche to Sugh, Chaneti and Topra Kalan. One can visit the works of Siddhartha Gauri on blogpost Revitalisation of Ashokan Pillar site of Topra Kalan.
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Most Venerable Khen Rinpoche Sonam Gyatso and Sangha offering prayers at Ms. Valveri Hara place.
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| Most Venerable Khen Rinpoche Sonam Gyatso, Sangha with Ms. Valveri Hara. |
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| Most Venerable Khen Rinpoche Sonam Gyatso with Ms. Valveri Hara . |
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| Most Venerable Khen Rinpoche Sonam Gyatso and Sangha offering prayers at Chaneti Stupa. |
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| Most Venerable Khen Rinpoche offering Khadda to Shri Ashok Ji, Pradhan of Chaneti. |
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| Most Venerable Khen Rinpoche Sonam Gyatso and Sangha at Topra Kalan. |
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| Shri Surendra Saini ji explaining the development activities at Topra Kalan site. |
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| Siddhartha Gauri with Khen Rinpoche (on his left). |
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| Shri Surendra Saini ji sharing his book with the Rinpoche. |
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I am profoundly grateful to the Most Venerable Khen Rinpoche Sonam Gyatso, Director, Shakya College of Nuns, Dehradun for inviting me to share about the Retracing Bodhisattva Xuanzang project. I also made a PPT presentation regarding the RTB project to Venerable Monks and Nuns of Shakya College in Rajapura, Dehradun. My heart is full, and I am genuinely thrilled to have gotten to talk to many of you venerable monks and nuns about the pilgrimage legacy of Bodhisattva Xuanzang and how the Venerable Sangha can play a significant role in making it a living heritage as it was in the past.
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| Making presentation at Shakya College of Nuns. Ven Monks and Nuns in attendence. |
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| His Excellency Asanga Vajra Shakya was also in the audience. |
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| Venerable Megen Rinpoche doing the translation. |
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| With venerable Nuns of Shakya college of Nuns. |
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| His Excellency Asanga Vajra Shakya highly appreciated the Retracing Bodhsattva Xuanzang project. |
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| Being felicitated by Ven Sonam Chogyal, Director, Sakya Centre, Rajapur Road, Dehradun. |
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| With Ven Kalsang Bodh and Ven Khenpo Ngawang. |
1 comment:
excellent work. Next time you are here, you can inform me. I will also try to join.
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