The Central Monastic Body today honoured a group of senior monks and religious practitioners with Tashi Lekdhar during a ceremony held at Punakha Dzong. The recognition was conferred by the Dorji Lopen on one Shedra Khenpo, five meditation masters, and two community service lams for their contributions to Buddhist scholarship, meditation practice, and monastic service.
Among the appointments, 43-year-old Dawa Tshering, who holds a PhD, was named the new Shedra Khenpo of Dagapela Shedra in Dagana. Having entered monkhood at the age of nine, he pursued higher Buddhist studies at Tango Buddhist University and later completed a traditional three-year retreat at Chari Meditation Centre. Before assuming his new role, he served as a lecturer at both Talo Shedra and Rinchenling Shedra.
Several senior monks were also appointed as meditation masters at key meditation centres across the country. Sangay Dorji, 52, was appointed Meditation Master of Goen Zabsel Meditation Centre in Gasa. He joined Punthim Dratshang at the age of 11 and graduated from Tango Buddhist University. Known for his extensive retreat experience, he completed the traditional three-year meditation retreat more than four times at various centres and previously served as a Kangjupa at Dochoten and Tashichhodzong.
Lodroe, 55, was appointed Meditation Master of Zhinchen Gatshelling Meditation Centre at Nalandra in Punakha. He entered the Central Monastic Body at the age of 12 and later completed advanced studies at Tango Buddhist University, followed by a three-year retreat at Tango Dzong Meditation Centre.
Wangchuk was appointed Meditation Master of Rinchenling Meditation Centre in Khotokha, Wangdue Phodrang. Having joined the monastic body at the age of 11, he completed his studies at Tango Buddhist University and undertook a three-year retreat at Pelgeri Meditation Centre. He also previously served as the personal attendant to His Holiness the late 68th Je Khenpo Tenzin Doendrup and earlier held the position of meditation master at the same centre.
Sonam Tshering, 48, was named Meditation Master of Sha Dechencholing Meditation Centre in Wangdue Phodrang. He joined the Central Monastic Body at the age of seven and later graduated from Tango Buddhist University. He completed retreats at both Chari and Dolung meditation centres and had earlier served as meditation master at Sha Dechencholing.
Dorji Gyelpo was appointed Meditation Master of Tshelung Yoesel Chholing in Thimphu. After enrolling in the monastic body at the age of seven, he pursued higher Buddhist education at Talo Shedra and graduated from Tango Buddhist University. He completed his retreat training at Drolung Sangngag Choling Meditation Centre and most recently served as retreat master at Tshelung Yoesel Chholing.
Two monks were also appointed to community service roles. Kinley Namgay, 52, from Bjena Gewog in Wangdue Phodrang, was appointed Lam of Jabar Yangchen Gonpa in Paro. He entered monkhood at the age of 14 and completed his studies at Tango Buddhist University. Prior to the appointment, he served as an accountant at the Rajgir Bhutan Temple in India after completing a three-year retreat at Chari Meditation Centre.
Meanwhile, 42-year-old Yeshi Dorji from Gase Tshogom Gewog in Wangdue Phodrang was appointed Community Services Lam for Kuenzang Dechen and Patsekha village in Thimphu. He underwent extensive monastic training in ritual arts and discipline, including mask dances and mandala construction, and completed a three-year retreat at Chizhi Sonam Gatshel Meditation Centre. He previously served at both Chizhi Gonpa Meditation Centre and Kuenzang Dechen Meditation Centre.
