Khensur Rinpoche receiving khata (traditional Tibetan offering of a white scarf) by attendees

Khensur Wangdak Rinpoche, former abbot of H.H. the Dalai Lama’s personal monastery, Namgyal Monastery in Dharamsala, India and Geshe Lharampa graduate of Drepung Loseling Monastic University, graciously accepted our request to bless the space here at Forest of Wisdom and offered a White Tara long life blessing and empowerment. This is a traditional ceremonial practice related with the visualization-rich practices of the Buddhist Tantric tradition, known for its unique ability to increase the practitioner’s lifespan.

During his visits here, Khensur Rinpoche affectionately dubbed the monastery “Lama Tsongkhapa Center.” We indeed aspire to realize his lofty hopes for us and make Forest of Wisdom a place where Lama Tsongkhapa would feel at home. He was the founder of the Geluk lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and was a literary and spiritual genius who contributed many elements to the Tibetan’s understanding of Buddhist thought and practice.

We are extraordinarily fortunate that Khensur Rinpoche blessed the Forest of Wisdom before his passing on March 6, 2022.