The Grand Opening of the Kagyu Institute Of Buddhist Studies

5th December 2004 marked a memorable and significant day for the Kagyu Institute Of Buddhist Studies - the day of its grand inauguration and opening.

His Holiness Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche, His Eminence Kyabje Trulshig Rinpoche, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche, His Eminence Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche, His Eminence Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, Ven Sang Sang Rinpoche and many other most respected Rinpoches and lamas as well as the Excellency Mr. Deep Kumar Upadyay, the Minister for Culture, tourism and civil aviation of the government of Nepal came all the way from various part of Nepal to bestow their blessings and grace the inauguration of the this important event.

From the morning, the Institute was filled with more than 1,500 well wishers and devotees. Amongst them were 200 foreign devout disciples and devotees who flew in specially from Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Europe to rejoice in this event and to send their well wishes.

After the inauguration ceremony, all the guests were entertained with local Tibetan and Nepalese performances and blessed by the Lama Dances. The day ended with a grand dinner cum cultural performances and video viewing for the VIP guests at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

On the following day (6.12.2004), longevity prayers were made by HE Trulshig Rinpoche and all the monastery lamas and nuns for longevity of Ven Shangpa Rinpoche, along with the offering of body, speech and mind by the devout followers to both HE Trulshig Rinpoche and Shangpa Rinpoche. In the same afternoon, HE Trulshig Rinpoche gave an empowerment signifying the turn of the wheel of Dharma in commemoration of the opening the institute.

The grand opening of the Institute is the beginning of the fruit of Rinpoche's Vision and unceasing years of hard work in benefiting sentient beings in the Dharma.

Below is an extract from Rinpoche's Speech during the opening ceremony, signifying his great aspiration and compassion :

"I believe that the Institute will begin, from here on, a long and illustrious career in guiding countless beings on the path of Buddhism towards Enlightenment. May it be a wish-fulfilling gem that brings forth blessings of wisdom, compassion and attainments and may it be the source of boundless wisdom to all who seek the fruit of Enlightenment."