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Buddhist monk performs once-in-a-life religious
ceremony in Himachal

     Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh): Gigmed Choekyi Syingey, a revered Buddhist monk performed the unique religious 'Chakrasamvara Abhisheka' ceremony in Himachal Pradesh on Sunday. Syingey who is believed to be eighth reincarnation of Yulgyula Rinpoche performed the ceremony at Drugtharpa Choeiling Buddhist monastery, situated at Tashigang in Kinnaur district. In the ceremony, Yulgyula Rinpoche imparted religious teachings according to Drukpa Kagyud school of Buddhism to the devotees. This religious ceremony is performed once in a life wearing rare ornamental dress. Hundreds of Buddhists from different parts of the country assembled to take the blessings and teachings from the priest. Devotees described the experience as a proud moment for Buddhists. "He (Yulgula Rinpoche) performs this ceremony once in his life wearing the rare ornamental dress. This is for the last time that he is performing this ceremony. This is a proud moment for all the Buddhists in the world," said Gyalu Lama, a Buddhist monk. Some foreign tourists also visited the monastery during the ceremony. Edward Jones, a tourist from Germany who has been to different parts of India considered himself lucky to be the part of the ceremony. "Today we are in Tashigang. I am very lucky to be here and part of this ceremony. And we are looking forward to it very much," said Jones. Drukpa Kagyud is an independent branch of Kagyu school of Buddhism. Within Drugpa school of thought there are further sub schools, most notably the eastern Kham tradition and middle Drukpa school which prospered in Ladakh and surrounding regions.
-June 29, 2009