2020
19th November
A Friendly Match
Today a friendly football match took place between staff members and our senior boys. At the time of writing, it hadn’t been established which was the winning team, but one thing was certain, that everyone had a great time!
17th November
A painful loss
Dagmo Sonam la’s mother, Mayum Sonam Deki Khamritshang, passed away peacefully on the 12th of November 2020 in Dehradun, surrounded by her loved ones.
Amala, as she was affectionately called by all, was a familiar and soothing presence at Sakya Academy, always accompanied by her smile and her kindness.
14th November
Children’s Day
With classes suspended because of the ongoing pandemic, our teachers thoughtfully and lovingly came to the school laden with pizzas and drinks to celebrate Children’s Day with their students. They expressed their regret that they couldn’t perform for their beloved children this year, but promised to put in an extra exciting performance next year! The teachers made this little video to remember the occasion. We thank them one and all for their amazing love and dedication.
9th August
Zoom Teaching
This morning, Rinpoche gave a precious Zoom teaching: “A Buddhist Teaching in Uncertain Times”.
Organised by the Tibetan Educational Foundation, the event gave the opportunity to over 200 students to participate, and ask questions from Rinpoche at the end of the teaching.
We are fortunate that the teaching was recorded and that we access to it. We can watch it on: https://www.facebook.com/tibetanedu/videos/295000954907498
8th August
Zoom Teaching
On 8th August, Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche will be giving a very special online teaching, so direly needed in these uncertain times.
23rd July
Investiture Day
This morning, Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche presided over this year’s Investiture Ceremony, alongside H.E. Dagmo Kushok.
The outgoing School Captain, House Captains and Vice-Captains, and Prefects were presented with Leadership Award Certificates by Dagmo Kushok, after which the new team were sworn in to their respective positions.
After investing the new team members with their badges, Rinpoche gave a most inspiring speech to all the children assembled, as did Principal Ma’am, Mrs. Tsering Choedon.
A special Certificate of Gratitude was also given by Rinpoche to Khenpo Gonpo Dhondup for his very kind contribution to the maintenance of the football field, something dear to the hearts of all our students.
7th July
A precious family gathering
The Sakya Dolma Phodrang at Purkul was graced over the past week with the presence of His Holiness Gongma Trichen Rinpoche and Her Eminence Gyalyum Chenmo.
These were precious and happy family days, enjoyed by all.
They were also joined for a time by His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin.
6th July
His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Birthday
This morning, our monks celebrated the 85th Birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
In appreciation to His Holiness for the invaluable gift of his blessing, they held a ritual and prayers for his long and fruitful life.
We devotedly join them in their aspiration.
5th July
A Celebration
Today, Rinpoche celebrated his western birthday at Sakya Academy.
He shared this happy occasion with all our monks, and treated one and all to a scrumptious ice cream tub.
Another happy day at Sakya Academy!
30th June
Celebrating Gyana Vajra Rinpoche’s Tibetan Birthday
Today, Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche’s Tibetan Birthday was celebrated at the Sakya Dolma Phodrang and at the Sakya Academy.
Our loving wishes to Rinpoche on this special day. We pray that he graces us with many long years of his blessed presence and activities.
5th June
Saka Dawa
A Very HAPPY SAKA DAWA DÜCHEN To YOU ALL !
Today, on the auspicious Saka Dawa Düchen, the 15th day ( full moon ) of the fourth Tibetan month, we celebrated the holy anniversary of Buddha Shakyamuni’s birth at Lumbini, enlightenment at Bodhgaya and parinirvana at Kushinagar.
We believe that any merit accumulated on this day is multiplied by 100,000 times or more.
Today is a great opportunity to generate a virtuous mind through the practice of positive thoughts, speech and activities, such as reciting prayers, circumambulating temples, being kind and compassionate, not harming others, saving lives and so on. The blessings gained by these virtuous actions are amplified immeasurably on this day.
We should dedicate all our merits to the longevity of our Gurus, and especially to the victims of the corona pandemic, as well as to the happiness of all sentient beings.
With profound love and prayers,
Pvt. Office of Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche
05/06/2020
Sakya Academy
7th May
HAPPY VESAK DAY!
A gift from Dagmo Sonam la:
“On this auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima , I would like to offer you a supplication chant to Guru Padmasambhava.
May the blessing and power of this chant bring peace, healing and protection during this time of the corona pandemic.
May those who have died rest in light and liberation.”
With profound love and prayers,
Dagmo Sonam Palkyi
(Click here to see this inspiring video.)
14th April
Parnashavari Mantra
Rinpoche guides us in the chanting of the Parnashavari mantra, said to be very powerful in averting disease and pandemics.
14th April
Words of Advice from Rinpoche
Q. Rinpoche, right now we are facing a crisis all over the world with a pandemic. What is your advice to your followers and everyone around the world? What is the best we can do at this time?
A. There are certainly a few things we can do. To begin with, of course, we should heed the advice of medical authorities by strictly observing basic hygiene rules, such as washing our hands frequently, changing and washing our clothes often, keeping a safe distance from others – both for others’ benefit and our own.
Secondly, from a religious point of view, this is a very good time to reflect on the Buddha’s teachings about impermanence. A few months ago, everyone was leading a normal life; and now, everything has changed, nothing is secure. A great number of people have died.
Also, we can see that Coronavirus is not respecting any racial or social divides, affecting not just the poor but also the rich, not just one race, but all the races. Whether we are Asian, American, European or Australian, we’re all part of the world, and we are all being affected by this crisis. This reminds us that we are all the same. The colour of our skin or the food that we eat, none of these things matter. The point is that the Coronavirus is affecting everybody. So it’s a good time to reflect on the Buddha’s teaching on equality – that everyone is same.
I think there are many things that we can think about and do while we are at home, or wherever we find ourselves at the moment. We can recite prayers, especially during this pandemic we can pray to the goddess Lomagyonma (Parnashavari), The One With A Leaf Skirt. Her mantra is especially good in helping us mentally when we are fighting this kind of disease. But this does not mean that by just chanting the mantras, we will be cured, or that we can do whatever we want. Thinking that we can just chant the mantra and everything will be fine, is a wrong view. And there are unfortunately some people who hold this view, that if we pray and recite mantras, we will be safe from the virus.
I believe that, whichever religion we belong to, if we want prayers to have an effect, we have to start by taking care of ourselves, taking all the precautions necessary to keep safe. Only then will prayers be effective, helping us emotionally and keeping us strong with their blessing.
So now, we need to look after our family and our neighbours. But at this time, the best way to look after them is to stay away from everyone – stay at home. Of course, this is much easier for wealthier people, because they have big houses, plenty of food, and everything they need; but for poorer families, this is infinitely more difficult, because everyone is either homeless or forced to live in cramped spaces, often without enough food to eat, and at great risk of contagion.
So when people find themselves in this sort of situation, when they are helpless, then all they can do is try to survive and pray that they will not be affected. As for those who are better off, they should not only pray for their own safety, but also – and especially- for that of people who are not so fortunate.
Because we don’t see first-hand the effects of the pandemic and we only know about it through whatever we read in the news, it’s difficult to gauge the extent of damage it will inflict on the world. One thing is clear is that it is not a problem that will just go away once the rate of infection has gone down. It will have longlasting effects, especially on the world economy. Many big businesses will be affected, of course, but much harder hit will be those smaller ones, because they cannot run for so many weeks or months without functioning. So they might have to go bankrupt and close down. This means so many people might lose their homes and sink into poverty. These are very difficult times for many people, in fact for most people in the world. The effects of this virus are not just going to be with us for one or two weeks, or one or two months, but it is most likely that they’re going to be felt for years to come.
So these are things we should remember and reflect upon. I believe that we all have to be materially and mentally prepared for this. We will have to adjust to whatever material changes the pandemic is making in our lives, and have the strength of character to make the best of it. This is where prayer can be of great help.
And so, we fervently dedicate our prayers to all beings into whose lives this crisis is bringing suffering. If we face these difficult times with a positive mindset, it will make it much easier for us to successfully tackle any situation that life brings us. With the blessing of the triple gem and our gurus, we will overcome this battle and victoriously look to a brighter tomorrow.
10th April
Sharing with the needy
This morning Rinpoche and Dagmo Kushok distributed relief rations of rice, flour, dahl and cooking oil to local families hard-struck by the virus lockdown.
Our school staff and students participated as one in the preparation of the relief packages. Hearty thanks to Ven. Kunga Rinchen for making this possible!
8th April
Prayers and good wishes
A message from Rinpoche and Dagmo Kushok:
Today on this auspicious full moon day, we’d like to share a short video of Khöndung Siddharth Vajra Rinpoche, Siddhant Vajra Rinpoche and Jetsunma Tsejin Lhamo, which they have dedicated to everyone around the world, while they pray for the wellbeing of each one of you.
We thought this might bring a smile and a bit of freshness into everyone’s lives, a small relief from all the sad news that have been surrounding us over the past months.
8th April 2020
Supporting the Relief Fund
Today His Holiness the Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche and Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche remitted to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Honourable Trivendra Singh Rawat, a contribution from Sakya institutions in Uttarakhand of 23 lakhs rupees to the government’s relief fund to help tackle the devastating effects of the Corona Virus.
23rd March
A painful loss
Sakya Academy has suffered a terrible loss today with the news of the passing of our beloved Anjali Sharma Ma’am.
Ma’am had been a loving pillar of our school since the day that it opened.
Barely a week has passed since our school had a farewell party for her retirement.
Everyone has been crushed by the news, and we can only pray for her fortunate rebirth and the alleviation of her family’s pain.
She is sorely missed.
14th March
Results Day and Staff Party
This morning, our students received their results for the academic year. Rinpoche and Dagmo Kushok were delighted and exceedingly proud to see how everyone’s efforts had paid off. Nearly all students have passing marks, with some boasting above 90.
Then a staff party followed, blessed with the presence of Rinpoche and Dagmo Kushok, and family. On offer were a gourmet lunch, a hotly-disputed game of tambola and a dance session, which was enlivened by the enthusiastic participation of some of our younger children.
13th March
Farewell Tea Party
An emotional day for all members of staff.
Staff members came together this afternoon to bid farewell to two of its valued colleagues Anjali Ma’am and Tashi Tsomo la.
Rinpoche and Dagmo Kushok were at hand to express their deep appreciation for all their teachers, and their regret at having to bid farewell to two among them who had served our school so well.
It was touching the see how strong the sense of kindredship is that bounds everyone at Sakya Academy, from Rinpoche, Dagmo Kushok and their family, through all members of staff, to our children.
We wish all out teachers every success and happiness, wherever they are, whatever they do.
12th March
Dungsey Siddharth’s Birthday
Today was the celebration of Dungsey Siddharth Vajra Rinpoche’s Tibetan Birthday at Sakya Thupten Namgyal Ling, Puruwala.
The ceremony was conducted by His Holiness Gongma Trichen Rinpoche and Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche.
May Siddharth Rinpoche have a long and happy life!
2nd March
Final Exams
Today is the first day of final exams at Sakya Academy.
Good luck to all!
28th February
Tenshug Ceremony
This morning, our Sakya Academy students welcomed His Holiness Gongma Trichen Rinpoche to the Sakya Centre Gompa for the celebration of a Tenshug held in his honour by Sakya monks and Tsogpas from India and abroad.
Some of our senior monks welcomed His Holiness with a performance of the Tashi Shopa dance. (Click here to see the video).
Our deepest respect and gratitude to His Holiness Gongma Trichen Rinpoche.
26th February
Tenshug Preparations
Our senior monks are participating in the four-day Ushnisha Vijaya puja that is being held at Sakya Centre in preparation for the Tenshug ceremony to be celebrated on the 28th in honour of His Holiness Gongma Trichen Rinpoche.
The preparation ritual is being conducted by Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, assisted by Their Eminences Thartse Khen Rinpoche, Khar Shabdrung Rinpoche, Lo Shabdrung Rinpoche and Khangsar Shabdrung Rinpoche.
24th February
LOSAR TASHI DELEK!
10th February
Khenpo Gyatso visits Sakya Academy
Today Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche and Dagmo Sonam la welcomed Khenpo Gyatso to their Phodrang, after which Dagmo Sonam la showed him around the school.
3rd February
Dungsey Siddhant arrives at Sakya Academy
Today was truly a wonderful day, and one to remember!!!
Our Sakya Academy staff and students gave a warm and exuberant welcome to our new Dungsey Siddhant Vajra Rinpoche.
15th January
Dagmo Sonam’s Birthday
Today is our beloved Dagmo Sonam’s birthday, and we echo Khöndung Gyana Vajra Rinpoche’s message to her:
“Today we celebrate the birthday of my loving wife, Dagmo Sonam la.
You always put everyone’s happiness before your own, and today is your day. I wish that all your dreams come true, because you deserve it.
The way you care for our children and elders, the way you are kind to others, and the way you make me feel every day remind me of how lucky I am. Happy Birthday !”
Happy Birthday from us all, Dagmo Kushok!!