2019
25th December
Buddha Day
To celebrate Buddha Day, our teachers and children put up a jaw-dropping art exhibition that displayed dazzling works and highlighted the promise of new emerging artistic talents.
Well done all!!!!
10th December
Birthday of H.H. the Dalai Lama
Our Class 7 organised a very special morning assembly to celebrate the birthday of our great religious leader. Much to everyone’s delight, thoughtful poems were recited and melodious songs were performed in four languages by our senior boys. The assembly ended with a surprise performance by our guest snow lion. All this under the dedicated and expert guidance of Gen Dradul. Many thanks to him and to our Class 7 boys for a very entertaining show.
The morning ended with junior and senior football finals between Green and Blue Houses. Both were gripping matches, but in the end the Green House won the day in both matches, with a penalty shoot-out in the senior match.
1st December
Birthday of H.H. the 42nd
Sakya Trizin
Today our monks celebrated the Tibetan Birthday of His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin with the performance of the Three Longevity Deities Puja (Amitayus, White Tara and Namgyalma).
Devout prayers and bountiful offerings were dedicated to His Holiness.
25th November
A New Dungsey!
We are hugely happy to announce the birth today of Dungsey Siddhant Vajra Rinpoche to Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche and H.E. Dagmo Sonam Palkyi.
Dungsey Siddharth Rinpoche and H.E. Jetsunma Tsejin Lhamo are delighted with the arrival of their new sibling.
Wishing them all a long, happy and healthy life!
25th November
Bonjour!
This morning our school extended a hearty welcome to a group of friends from France, and our children got to practise their 1-word knowledge of French: ‘Bonjour!’
After bidding their guests farewell, our monks took to their desks to tackle their week-long mid-term exams.
Good luck to all!
19th November
Lhabab Düchen
Today our children celebrated the Descent of the Lord Buddha from the Tushita heaven at Sankassa.
Lhabab Düchen is one of the four great Buddhist festivals remembering four special events in the life of the Buddha. On this day, the effects of all actions, positive and negative, are multiplied ten million times.
14th November
Children’s Day
Our amazing teachers never seem to stop astounding us!!!
Every year they put on a more elaborate and fantastic performance to show just how much they love our children. And this year exceeded all expectations!
Colour, zest, and creativity galore!!
And plenty of snacks to relish, including a lollipop, drinks and (vegetarian) baps from KFC.
The fun continued into the afternoon, with two football matches between Sakya Centre and Sakya Academy – one with the juniors and one for the seniors, which ended in victory for our Sakya Academy boys.
And to top it all, our teachers and students joined forces in the evening to make vegetarian momos. The end to a perfect day!
11th November
Guru Yoga Puja
This evening our monks participated in the Guru Yoga Puja conducted at the Sakya Centre by His Holiness the Trichen Rinpoche, assisted by His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin and Her Eminence Kunga Trinley Palter Sakya. The puja was held to commemorate the anniversary of the parinirvana of Sachen Kunga Nyingpo.
6th November
Visitors from Overseas
Today, our teachers had the privilege of attending a workshop led by Mrs. Wai Yin from Singapore, who shared with them valuable concepts and techniques reaped from her vast experience in the field of education. Most importantly was Mrs. Wai Yin’s way of incorporating Buddhist principles in her approach to teaching.
We also had the great pleasure of welcoming a group of visitors from France and sharing with them a glimpse of Rinpoche’s vision made reality. It was a joyous encounter, during which our children learned to say “Bonjour” and “Au revoir”!
5th November
Say No to Plastic
This morning our Class 7 boys, alongside Sakya Centre monks, took part in a “Say No to Plastic’ event that took place in Dehradun.
It consisted of the formation of a human chain that stretched over fifty kilometres and crossed the length of the city. It comprised students, social activists, local government representatives and concerned citizens.
The event is part of a nationwide movement that aims to raise consciousness of the threat that single-use plastic poses on the environment.
In spite of a ban that has been put on it, single-use plastic is still a critical issue in Dehradun, and it urgently needs to be addressed.
And so, this morning’s show of solidarity in defence of the environment brought a message of hope, and we’re very happy that our students were part of it.
1st November
Sports Day
Another exhilarating performance by all four Sakya Academy houses!
The event was graced with the presence of Yumla Sonam Dekyi as Guest of Honour, and Khenpo Ngawang Gyaltsen as Chief Guest.
And this year, an exciting innovation: the day counted with the spirited participation of Sakya Centre students, big and small.
The celebration began with a stunning March-past, followed by inspiring displays of yoga and aerobics. Then came hotly disputed races – from fancy races for the juniors, to sprinting, to hurdling, and on to medium-distance running, from 100 to 1,000 metres.
The meet climaxed with much-anticipated tugs-of-war that featured fierce determination and tenacity from each and every one of its competitors, from students, staff and visitors alike.
Although everyone did remarkably well, Green House took away the honours for this year’s Sports Day.
10th October
A Blessed Visit
His Holiness Gongma Trichen Rinpoche visited Sakya Academy and bestowed a blessing on staff and students.
A very special occasion indeed!
28th September
Rang Himalaya
Invited by Rinpoche, a theatrical group called Rang Himalaya brought their joy and enthusiasm to Sakya Academy today in an exuberant performance of song, dance and mime that celebrated diversity and earth fellowship.
Rang Himalaya is the name the group gives to their festival, which ‘aims to empower people by engaging them in creative endeavours that will broaden their social, cultural and environmental awareness.’
The performance engaged the active participation of our children, who came away hugely excited, and inspired to carry on the festival’s message.
27th September
Staff-Student Football Match
A late afternoon football match between staff members and our students has somewhat dented the aura of invincibility that has surrounded our boys’ team since the school’s early days. The staff team won the day with a score of 3-nil, not least thanks to the spirited contribution of Gyana Vajra Rinpoche as a forward.
It must be said in our boys’ favour that they had been immersed in their studies and hadn’t set foot on the football pitch over the past months, whereas the staff team had been having practice sessions in anticipation of the match.
It can safely be said that our student team are not likely to let themselves be caught short again anytime soon.
24th September
Refuge Vows Ceremony
This afternoon, 60 of our children took their Refuge Vows with Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche.
Rinpoche spoke to them about the significance of being a Buddhist, stressing that it means above all else being a good human being.
There was also a Khatag-Offering Ceremony dedicated to our five students who excelled in the challenging Vajrakilaya final exam. They certainly did their school proud, gaining 1st, 2nd and 5th places.
23rd September
Award-Giving Ceremony
His Holiness Gongma Trichen Rinpoche and Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche presided over the Sixteen-Arhat Puja and the distribution of awards to monks and nuns who did best in their Scriptural Studies. Special awards went to those monks who excelled in their final Vajrakilaya exam. Among the five award-winners were three of our Sakya Academy students. We’re so very proud of them!
20th September
Last Day Vajrakilaya Puja
Today was the elaborate ceremony of the dissolution of the mandala that marks the end of the annual puja.
Our five monks did very well in their exam, and we’re so very proud of them: Ngawang Samphel, Kunga Norbu, Kunga Gyatso, Kunga Jigmey and Kunga Palden. Well done all!!!!
15th September
SA monks at Sakya Centre
Today our monks went to pay homage to the Vajrakilaya Mandala at the Sakya Centre.
It was the smaller monks’ first experience of a temple and its depiction of awe-inspiring protector deities.
It was Kunga Palden’s turn to undertake the “Dumpa”, which he did admirably.
14th September
First Vajrakilaya Exam
For the very first time, one of our monks underwent the “Dumpa”, a gruelling exam taken by 11 Sakya monks, one each day during the Annual Grand Vajrakilaya Puja, held every year at the Sakya Centre, Dehradun.
Kunga Norbu acquitted himself admirably of this daunting task, which consisted in leading the assembly of monks in the intensive day-long Vajrakilaya ritual, in the presence of H.H. Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, H.H. Gongma Trizin Rinpoche and Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche. Every detail of the ritual is committed to memory, and the slightest mistake or hesitation loses the candidate points.
Four of our Sakya Academy monks will be undergoing this rite of passage over the coming days. We wish them every success.
13th September
Spell Bee Contest
Today, Sakya Academy’s held its first Inter-House Spelling Bee Competition.
Everyone did extraordinarily well, making it difficult to remember that English is a very recently acquired language for all our participants.
The words were chosen from different subjects – Science, Social Science, English and Computer Studies – and ranging from the relatively easy to the downright difficult.
However adept members of all houses were at rolling out the correct letters, the Green House won the day.
The runners-up received their prizes from H.E. Jetsunma Tsejin Lhamo, and the winners from Khenpo-la.
7th September
H.H. Gongma Trichen Rinpoche’s Birthday at Sakya Academy
Today, Her Eminence Jetsunma Tsejin Lhamo lit the ceremonial lamp as she presided over the ceremony marking the western Birthday of His Holiness Gongma Trichen Rinpoche.
5th September
Teachers’ Day
This morning, our students gave a performance to be remembered for a long time.
It was a most well deserved accolade to their treasured teachers. Messages of appreciation that came from the heart, performances filled with prowess and effervescence, gifts for all their mentors. All this and more, our children offered today. An endeavour completely crafted by them, without the slightest input from their teachers, but rather under the expert and dedicated guidance of our senior Class 7 students.
The morning concluded with a hotly disputed basketball match between staff and students from Yellow House, winners of the inter-house competition leading up to the day. Our teachers put on an excellent performance, but in the end, had to concede to their young adversaries, with a score of 38 to 23.
Everyone did astoundingly well, considering that our boys were introduced to basketball a mere 2 months ago, and that some of the teachers’ team players were rookies.
Well done everyone, and thank you for a wonderful day!
19th August
2019 Inter House Quiz Competition
This morning, our children participated in our school’s Fourth Annual Inter House General Knowledge Competition.
Everyone did remarkably well, but the prize went to Blue House, with Yellow House as Runners Up.
Congratulations to all!
15th August
Independence Day
This morning, our students paid homage to India on the anniversary of her independence.
Their audience was treated to a colourful and exuberant display of song, dance and artistic endeavour.
Several of the teaching staff members played their part by sporting Indian attire.
Our Principal Ma’am delivered a short but meaningful talk on the significance of freedom tempered by integrity and a sense of a responsibility.
Once the function over, the children embarked on a hike, on a hope and prayer that the dry weather would hold up.
5th July
Happy Birthday, Rinpoche!
This morning, our Sakya Academy students and staff came together at the monastery temple hall to celebrate the Three Longevity Deities ritual (Amitayus, White Tara and Namgyalma) to honour the western Birthday of Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche.
Rinpoche is currently away on his annual Dharma tour, but he and his family are firmly in the hearts of everyone at Sakya Academy.
2nd June
Holidays!
Our senior monks are enjoying a cooling day out during their holidays.
A welcome relief from the scorching summer heat!
18th May
Vesak Day
This morning, for the first time at Sakya Academy, our monks celebrated the Buddha Purnima, anniversary of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and parinirvana.
A makeshift temple was set up by our children in the school assembly hall, where they performed the Sixteen-Arhat Puja.
A programme followed, that elaborated on the significance of Vesak Day.
The event closed with the children sitting for a scriptures exam.
10th May
Mother’s Day
This morning, our children expressed through song and gifts the devoted love that they feel for Dagmo Kushok, whom they see as their mother.
Mother’s Day was celebrated a few days early so that Rinpoche could be there. He leaves the day after tomorrow on his Asian Phurdup Tour.
Needless to say, Rinpoche and Dagmo Kushok were deeply moved by the show of affection that poured from the children.
11th April
Founder’s Day
This morning, our Sakya Academy crossed a milestone in its short history. As it celebrated its 4th Founder’s Day, it was blessed by the presence of very special guests, with H.E. Jetsun Kushok as Chief Guest, and H.E. Gyalyum Chenmo and H.E. Sey Kushok as Guests of Honour.
This was the first time that our school’s anniversary was being graced by such honourable guests, and our children made their school ever so proud by their impeccable behaviour and exuberant participation.
One could not but be awestruck by the quantum leap that the school has taken since its first Founder’s Day in April 2016. This was eloquently described by H.E. Dagmo Sonam la in a moving talk that shone light on the transformation that the children have undergone in such a short span of time. It was also stirringly put into words by two students who recounted their own life-changing experience at the Academy.
As the morning unfolded, all the love and dedication that has been invested in the school by everyone that has a share in it impregnated the assembly hall. The joy and the passion for selfless excellence that reign at the school radiated through each performance. Everyone trying their best… the students, big and small, the staff and, underpinning every detail, the astonishingly dedicated leadership of our school Principal, Ma’am Tsering La.
What was hugely palpable was everyone’s genuine rejoicing for Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche that his vision was coming true, and their infinite gratitude and admiration toward him and Dagmo Kushok for creating this haven of happiness and golden opportunity.
The ceremony closed with its guests invited to visit the Science exhibition that the children had prepared, some features of which were truly inspiring – to name but one, an air compressor propelled by bio-gas built by one of our senior students. Merely this feature highlights the emphasis that our students place on the importance of the environment, for their and everyone’s future.
All wishes for a happy and successful new academic year at Sakya Academy!
1st April
First Day of School
Our new children are settling in nicely. They were introduced to their schoolmates at morning assembly, and were given a sturdy round of applause.
Monlam at Bodh Gaya
1st January
H.H. the 42nd Sakya Trizin, Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche and Dagmo Kushok Sonam la meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during Monlam at Bodh Gaya.
Monlam at Bodh Gaya
December 2018/January 2019
Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche and his family joined the Monlam Prayer Festival at Bodh Gaya.
Happy New Year!
