The high lamas and all of the attendees of the monastery’s opening. Click on the image to enlarge

His Holiness Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche (left) and His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche (right) greeting one another. Yongyal Rinpoche, the abbot of Serpom Monastery, is also Trijang Rinpoche’s tutor

Gaden Khachoe Shing is situated on 150 acres of lush land

Entering the gompa

The prayer hall (gompa) beautifully set up for the opening ceremony. Obscured by the columns is a gold-plated Shakyamuni on their main altar

The main altar for Gaden Khachoe Shing. In the centre is Lama Tsongkhapa in long life form. To the left is Shakyamuni and to the right, Maitreya (the future Buddha). All statues are fully gold-plated

An attendee steps back to take photos of Gaden Khachoe Shing’s main altar. From left to right are Shakyamuni, Lama Tsongkhapa in long life form and Maitreya, the future Buddha

Gaden Khachoe Shing’s wonderful Long Life Tsongkhapa, the central image of their main altar

Gaden Khachoe Shing’s beautiful gold-plated Vajrayogini statue

The monastery’s beautiful gold-plated Maitreya statue is ornately decorated with jewels as an offering on the Buddha’s body

The wonderful gold-plated Dorje Shugden statue in Gaden Khachoe Shing’s Protector chapel

Awaiting Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s arrival

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche’s arrival with his security escort. Such are the measures taken to protect his life from the very realistic threat of harm and violence against his life

From left to right, Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche, Kyabje Zasep Rinpoche and Ven. Dechen Rinpoche during a break at Gaden Khachoe Shing

Many people came from all over the world to celebrate in the opening of this new Dorje Shugden monastery, established by Ven. Kuten Lama in Indiana, USA

Ven. Dechen Rinpoche (left) and Geshe Jangchup Gyeltsen (right) escorting Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche

Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche joyfully greets a faithful practitioner of Dorje Shugden who came to attend the opening of this new monastery

Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche (centre), abbot of Serpom Monastery, poses for a photograph

Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche is escorted to his seat to begin the puja

Sangha gathered to do prayers at the opening of Gaden Khachoe Shing in Bloomington, Indiana (USA)

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche (left) with his teacher Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche (center)

H.H. Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche pays his respects in Gaden Khachoe Shing’s Dorje Shugden chapel

A group picture in Gaden Khachoe Shing’s Protector chapel. From left to right are Ven. Sherab Rinpoche, H.E. Gonsar Rinpoche, Ven. Rabten Rinpoche, H.E. Zasep Rinpoche, H.H. Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche, H.E. Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche, Ven. Achok Rinpoche, H.E. Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche and Ven. Kuten (Choijin) Lama

Gathering for a group photo

Two holy attained beings share a quiet, private moment together

The sangha gathered take a moment to relax and have something to eat during the celebrations

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche in front of Gaden Khachoe Shing’s main altar

Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche sitting with Ven. Achok Rinpoche, Kyabje Gangchen Rinpoche and H.E. Zasep Rinpoche

The event’s attendees gather to witness Kuten-la take trance of Duldzin

Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche greets the peaceful form of Dorje Shugden, Duldzin, during trance

Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche greeting Duldzin, the peaceful form of Dorje Shugden. Dorje Shugden is very unique as he can take full trance within a qualified oracle in both peaceful and wrathful forms. The peaceful form is known as Duldzin and the wrathful form is known as Dorje Shugden

Ven. Achok Rinpoche receives and is blessed by Duldzin

The oracle, Venerable Kuten Lama, in full trance of peaceful Dorje Shugden known as Duldzin. In this form, Duldzin can remain in the oracle for many hours, giving discourses, teachings and granting initiations

Wrathful Dorje Shugden about to take trance in Gaden Khachoe Shing

As wrathful Dorje Shugden enters the oracle, his monk assistants rush to tie on the oracle’s hat which weighs well over 120lb. The hat is tied so tightly that under normal circumstances (i.e. not in trance), a normal person would not be able to withstand the pressure to their neck

Wrathful Dorje Shugden has entered the oracle

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche receives wrathful Dorje Shugden and proceeds to consult the Protector on a number of Dharma matters

Wrathful Dorje Shugden makes an offering of body, speech and mind to Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche

Anyone who dedicates their lives to spreading the Dharma, and to benefiting sentient beings will receive Dorje Shugden’s affection, as Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche does here

The attendees queue to receive a blessing and make offerings directly to Dorje Shugden

Kyabje Gonsar Rinpoche, Kyabje Rabten Rinpoche and Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Seated behind Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche is his consort Cham Kusho-la

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche with Ven. Kuten Lama. Kuten Lama is the spiritual head of this beautiful new centre, Gaden Khachoe Shing and also one of the official oracles of Dorje Shugden recognised by the high lamas

H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche

H.E. Gonsar Rinpoche with Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche

Kyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche with Kyabje Yongyal Rinpoche

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche with Ven. Achok Rinpoche

Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche with Duldzin

H.E. Gangchen Rinpoche with Duldzin