The 26th Kagyu Gunchoe (Kagyu Winter Debate) 6 Jan. to 1 Feb. 2026, Bodhgaya
The 26th Kagyu Gunchoe (Kagyu Winter Debate), one of the most significant annual educational and spiritual gatherings of the Kagyu institutes held under the guidance of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa was successfully held from 6 January to 1 February 2026 at Terga Monastery and Kagyu Monlam Pavillon, Bodhgaya, Bihar, the sacred land of the Buddha’s enlightenment.
A total of 831students and teachers from all Kagyu institutes across Himalayan region participated in this month-long program dedicated to rigorous study, debate practice, philosophical debate competition and spiritual practice.
Trust Support and Facilities
The Trust extended comprehensive support to ensure the smooth conduct of the Gunchoe, including:
Travel arrangements for participating monks and teachers
Meals, Tea and snacks during the program
Lodging
Medical facilities and healthcare support
Though the funding of the program is done by the trust, the day to day organising of the program is done on rotation among the institutes. For the 26th Kagyu Gunchoe, Tergar Osel Ling is entrusted with managing and organising day to day events of the program.
Participating Monasteries and Institutes
The following institutes participated in the 26th Kagyu Gunchoe, along with the number of students and teachers (Khenpos) in attendance:
Karma Shri Nalanda Institute, Rumtek, Sikkim – 90
Palpung Lungrig Jampal Ling (Sherabling), Bir, H P – 120
Kagyu Thekchen Ling Monastery, Lava, West Bengal – 63
Vajra Vidya Institute, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh – 122
Tergar Osel Ling, Bodhgaya, Bihar – 124
Bokar Shedra Obar Chimeyling Institute, Damdim, W B – 115
Karma Lekshey Ling Institute, Nepal – 88
Samdrub Darjay Choling Monastery, Sonada, West Bengal – 15
Lhodrak Nyidey Monastery, Bhutan – 25
Karma Lekshey Ling Foundation, Nepal – 14
Program Highlights
The Gunchoe commenced with the auspicious Mahakala Puja on the first day, invoking blessings for the success of the gathering.Initially Gunchoes, competitive debates were held between institutes. However, this leads to rivalry and partisanship so there is a danger of it doing more harm than good. Consequently, it was decided to adopt a different approach, the teams comprising monks drawn from different institutes, mixed and grouped according to their levels and debating subjects. This system directly benefits students by fostering better understanding and bond among students from different institutes and facilitates mutual learning. This year’s inter-group debate completion began from 2nd day, with 7–8 teams in each of 5 divisions, comprising 15–18 students per team, fostering deep analytical inquiry, disciplined reasoning. The Debates competition was held across five divisions/ level of Buddhist philosophical studies:
Pramāṇa (Valid Cognition/Logic) (tshad ma) Training in the formulation of syllogisms, identification of valid analogies and so on.
Prajñāpāramitā (Perfection of Wisdom) (phar phyin) Study of the Ornament of Clear Realisation by Maitreya, with a focus on the first of the 8 chapters.
Collected Topics (bsdus grwa or düdra) Basic logical training – debating colours, different types of negations, universals and particulars and so forth.
Types of Evidence (rtags ) Reasons of nature, reasons of result (inference of its cause), reasons of non-observation and so on.
Types of Mind (blo rigs) – Analysis of valid and invalid cognitions, difference between mind and mental factors, difference between perceptual and conceptual cognitions and so on.
From the seventh day, a three-day “Five-deity Hayagrīva” ritual was performed, integrating ritual practice and training. The final stage of debates unfolded from 24 to 28 January 2026 deciding the winners from each division, culminating in an intensive exchange of philosophical understanding. The concluding four days were dedicated to debates on the profound teachings of Dhagpo Thargyen, Dhagpo Thargyen (Dwags po thar rgyan), literally “The Jewel Ornament of Liberation,” is one of the most important texts in the Kagyu tradition. Written by Gampopa (1079-1153), this masterwork presents a complete path to enlightenment. Marking a fitting and auspicious conclusion to the program.
Conclusion
The 26th Kagyu Gunchoe once again reaffirmed its vital role in preserving and strengthening the Kagyu institutions through collective study, debate, and practice, the gathering nurtured wisdom, discipline, and spiritual camaraderie among the kagyu institutions and students.
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Posted: March 11, 2026 by kunkyong
The 26th Kagyu Gunchoe (Kagyu Winter Debate) 6 Jan. to 1 Feb. 2026, Bodhgaya
The 26th Kagyu Gunchoe (Kagyu Winter Debate), one of the most significant annual educational and spiritual gatherings of the Kagyu institutes held under the guidance of His Holiness the Gyalwang Karmapa was successfully held from 6 January to 1 February 2026 at Terga Monastery and Kagyu Monlam Pavillon, Bodhgaya, Bihar, the sacred land of the Buddha’s enlightenment.
A total of 831students and teachers from all Kagyu institutes across Himalayan region participated in this month-long program dedicated to rigorous study, debate practice, philosophical debate competition and spiritual practice.
Trust Support and Facilities
The Trust extended comprehensive support to ensure the smooth conduct of the Gunchoe, including:
Though the funding of the program is done by the trust, the day to day organising of the program is done on rotation among the institutes. For the 26th Kagyu Gunchoe, Tergar Osel Ling is entrusted with managing and organising day to day events of the program.
Participating Monasteries and Institutes
The following institutes participated in the 26th Kagyu Gunchoe, along with the number of students and teachers (Khenpos) in attendance:
Program Highlights
The Gunchoe commenced with the auspicious Mahakala Puja on the first day, invoking blessings for the success of the gathering.Initially Gunchoes, competitive debates were held between institutes. However, this leads to rivalry and partisanship so there is a danger of it doing more harm than good. Consequently, it was decided to adopt a different approach, the teams comprising monks drawn from different institutes, mixed and grouped according to their levels and debating subjects. This system directly benefits students by fostering better understanding and bond among students from different institutes and facilitates mutual learning. This year’s inter-group debate completion began from 2nd day, with 7–8 teams in each of 5 divisions, comprising 15–18 students per team, fostering deep analytical inquiry, disciplined reasoning. The Debates competition was held across five divisions/ level of Buddhist philosophical studies:
From the seventh day, a three-day “Five-deity Hayagrīva” ritual was performed, integrating ritual practice and training. The final stage of debates unfolded from 24 to 28 January 2026 deciding the winners from each division, culminating in an intensive exchange of philosophical understanding. The concluding four days were dedicated to debates on the profound teachings of Dhagpo Thargyen, Dhagpo Thargyen (Dwags po thar rgyan), literally “The Jewel Ornament of Liberation,” is one of the most important texts in the Kagyu tradition. Written by Gampopa (1079-1153), this masterwork presents a complete path to enlightenment. Marking a fitting and auspicious conclusion to the program.
Conclusion
The 26th Kagyu Gunchoe once again reaffirmed its vital role in preserving and strengthening the Kagyu institutions through collective study, debate, and practice, the gathering nurtured wisdom, discipline, and spiritual camaraderie among the kagyu institutions and students.
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