From March 6 to April 8, 2023, nuns from the Kagyu shedras gathered at the Vajra Vidya Institute in Sarnath for a month of teachings and debates under the guidance of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. The 7th Arya Kshema was presided over by Drupon Dechen Rinpoche. This event is organized by the nunneries in rotation, and this year, Tilokpur Nunnery, Karma Drubgyu Thargay Ling assumed responsibility. Kun Kyong Charitable Trust sponsored the event.
Aside from the daily schedule of classes and debates, the Spring Teachings featured teachings by His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa on Mikyö Dorje’s Autobiographical Verses, which took place over 12 days between March 14 and April 8, 2023.
On April 8th, under the guidance of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, the debate competition between the nunnery shedras, adjudicated by judges from five Kagyu shedras, was successfully concluded. The Gyalwang Karmapa presided over the closing ceremony via a Zoom link. Drupon Dechen Rinpoche presented the awards for first and second place in each of the three debate topics—Dupa: Collected Topics, Tagrig: Types of Evidence, and Lorig: Mind and Awareness. Thrangu Thoisam Dargyeling Shedra took first prize in Dupa. Karma Drubdey took first prize in both Tagrig and Lorig, and Tilokpur Nunnery took second prize in all three topics. Prizes were also awarded to celebrate the achievement of individual nuns in each of three categories: most diligent, best defender, and best responder.
Following the awards ceremony, the Gyalwang Karmapa gave a brief talk over Zoom, expressing gratitude to Drupon Dechen Rinpoche, the organizers, the Khenpos, and all the participants. He then discussed two important topics raised at previous Arya Kshemas. The first concerned the Karmapa’s intention to establish a shedra specifically for Kagyu nuns, indicating that the plan is still in progress and the proposed location would be in Nepal. The second topic concerned bhikshuni ordination. Although the process had commenced several years ago during the Arya Kshema in Bodhgaya, a final decision on the ordination process had not been reached. However, it remains one of His Holiness’ objectives for the nuns.
The event concluded with a body, speech, and mind mandala offering to His Holiness. The 7th Arya Kshema concluded with the final all-night debate, an extended debate that marks the completion of the Arya Kshema debates.
The 7th Arya Kshema concluded with the final debate called ‘The all-night debate’, an extended debate which completes the Arya Kshema debates.
Following were the other events at the 7th Arya Kshema:
March 6 – ‘The Ritual For the Nuns’ Teachings to Flourish and the Milarepa’s Parinirvana
March 7 – The Long-Life Offering of the Union of the Three Roots and Marpa’s Parinirvana
March 8 – The Great Audience and Sangarama Ritual
March 17 – The Chöd Puja “Wellspring of All Qualities”
March 29 and 30 – The Five Deity Tara and Tseringma Pujas
Last Updated: November 20, 2023 by kunkyong
7th Ārya Kshema Spring Teachings
From March 6 to April 8, 2023, nuns from the Kagyu shedras gathered at the Vajra Vidya Institute in Sarnath for a month of teachings and debates under the guidance of His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa. The 7th Arya Kshema was presided over by Drupon Dechen Rinpoche. This event is organized by the nunneries in rotation, and this year, Tilokpur Nunnery, Karma Drubgyu Thargay Ling assumed responsibility. Kun Kyong Charitable Trust sponsored the event.
Aside from the daily schedule of classes and debates, the Spring Teachings featured teachings by His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa on Mikyö Dorje’s Autobiographical Verses, which took place over 12 days between March 14 and April 8, 2023.
On April 8th, under the guidance of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa, the debate competition between the nunnery shedras, adjudicated by judges from five Kagyu shedras, was successfully concluded. The Gyalwang Karmapa presided over the closing ceremony via a Zoom link. Drupon Dechen Rinpoche presented the awards for first and second place in each of the three debate topics—Dupa: Collected Topics, Tagrig: Types of Evidence, and Lorig: Mind and Awareness. Thrangu Thoisam Dargyeling Shedra took first prize in Dupa. Karma Drubdey took first prize in both Tagrig and Lorig, and Tilokpur Nunnery took second prize in all three topics. Prizes were also awarded to celebrate the achievement of individual nuns in each of three categories: most diligent, best defender, and best responder.
Following the awards ceremony, the Gyalwang Karmapa gave a brief talk over Zoom, expressing gratitude to Drupon Dechen Rinpoche, the organizers, the Khenpos, and all the participants. He then discussed two important topics raised at previous Arya Kshemas. The first concerned the Karmapa’s intention to establish a shedra specifically for Kagyu nuns, indicating that the plan is still in progress and the proposed location would be in Nepal. The second topic concerned bhikshuni ordination. Although the process had commenced several years ago during the Arya Kshema in Bodhgaya, a final decision on the ordination process had not been reached. However, it remains one of His Holiness’ objectives for the nuns.
The event concluded with a body, speech, and mind mandala offering to His Holiness. The 7th Arya Kshema concluded with the final all-night debate, an extended debate that marks the completion of the Arya Kshema debates.
The 7th Arya Kshema concluded with the final debate called ‘The all-night debate’, an extended debate which completes the Arya Kshema debates.
Following were the other events at the 7th Arya Kshema:
March 6 – ‘The Ritual For the Nuns’ Teachings to Flourish and the Milarepa’s Parinirvana
March 7 – The Long-Life Offering of the Union of the Three Roots and Marpa’s Parinirvana
March 8 – The Great Audience and Sangarama Ritual
March 17 – The Chöd Puja “Wellspring of All Qualities”
March 29 and 30 – The Five Deity Tara and Tseringma Pujas
April 5 to 7 – Sarvavid Vairochana Puja
Category: Nuns Training Tags: 17th Karmapa, Arya Kshema, Kagyu, Kagyu Nuns, karmapa, Karmapa Lama, Tibetan Buddhism, Varanasi
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