by Michael Joseph
Loden Rinpoche, now eight and a half years old, has been at Sera Je Monastic University for just over a year. He arrived in time for the start of the 2024 academic year, and is a student at Sera Je Secondary School, where he is receiving an education that covers Western subjects such as science and mathematics, as well as Tibetan, Hindi and English languages, memorisation of Buddhist texts and prayers and physical education.
Rinpoche’s daily routine includes early morning prayers, school classes and Buddhist studies. The school day starting at 6.30 am includes meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). After school, Rinpoche continues Buddhist studies, does homework, and concludes the day with prayers and dedication of the merit for the benefit of all sentient beings.
The school students have a half day Monday and Tuesdays off, and there are other scheduled holidays such as Tibetan New Year. As the school is affiliated with the Indian school system, they also enjoy Indian public holidays.
Rinpoche attends pujas that are conducted at Sera Lachi, Sera Je and Denma Khangtsen. Sera Lachi is the combined temple comprising all the Sera Je and Sera Me monks. Denma Khangtsen is Rinpoche’s and Loden Labrang’s college. Loden Labrang is Geshe Loden’s house, and where Rinpoche lives, with a supporting household. Rinpoche attends the 10-day annual Hayagriva retreat at Sera Je. Hayagriva is Sera Je’s tutelary deity.
The main holiday for Tibetans is Lunar New Year (Losar). This year Losar fell on 28 February. On New Year’s Day it is traditional for monks at the monastery to pay visits to high geshes, abbots, ex-abbots and incarnate lamas. Here’s a video made by the Loden Labrang monks of Rinpoche’s Losar visitors.
In February 2024 Rinpoche had the great good fortune to take the hair cutting Ceremony from His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. This ceremony is a prerequisite for boys entering the monastery. A number of TBS students were there then, and that was the first time we met Loden Rinpoche.
Rinpoche’s subsequent enthronement at Sera Je Monastery in November 2024 was also attended by a group of TBS students – see the photo gallery of images from this wonderful event.
Rinpoche returned to Dharamsala this year to take novice monk ordination from His Holiness on 11 March. Rinpoche was accompanied on this trip by his teacher Geshe Penpa.
If you would like to contribute to the care and support of Loden Rinpoche there is an ongoing fund established by the Tibetan Buddhist Society. The fund supports Rinpoche while he continues his studies at Sera Je Monastery School. To donate to the fund please click here. For any inquiries please email contact@tushita.org. The Tibetan Buddhist Society in Australia is responsible for all the needs of both Loden Rinpoche and his home at Loden Labrang.