His Eminence Ling Rinpoche visited and made offerings to monks and nuns at several monasteries following the successful completion of his Geshe Graduation Ceremony, including Ganden, Sera, Tashi Lhunpo, Gyudmed and Dzongkar Choede monasteries in South India and Gyuto Monastery in Dharamsala. His Eminence had an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala on 19th December.

His Eminence the 7th Kyabjé Yongzin Ling Rinpoche's two-day Geshe Graduation Ceremony commenced at Drepung Loseling Monastery on 20th November, on the auspicious holy day of Lhabab Duchen, which honors Lord Buddha's descent from Tushita Heaven. His Eminence sat for the Geshe Dhamcha (public debate) examination in the presence of the entire Drepung Loseling assembly of monks, current and previous Abbots of many monasteries, distinguished scholars and guests. Dignitaries including His Eminence the 103rd Gaden Tri Rinpoche, the Abbot of Drepung Loseling monastery, a representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the CTA Minister of Culture and Religion gave inspiring speeches recognizing Rinpoche's achievement. Rinpoche made extensive offerings to the monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery. The Geshe Graduation continued on the following day with a Long-Life Ceremony offered to Rinpoche by Drepung Loseling Monastery and the customary offering of khatas to Rinpoche by all guests, concluding with a celebratory luncheon.

A preview of a soon to be released Documentary of H.E. Ling Rinpoche's Geshe Graduation Ceremony.

Documentary Preview

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche visited Toronto (Canada), New York and Boston (USA) for the first time in August and September. The Tibetan Communities in these cities gave Rinpoche a traditional welcome. The Tibetan Canadian Culture Center, Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, Himalayan Elders Project, Tibetan Association of Boston, Kurukulla Center (FPMT), Prajnopaya at MIT and many other groups organized teachings, initiations, public talks, informal dialogues, audiences, gala dinners and a picnic. Rinpoche visited and blessed several projects, Dharma centers and community halls. Rinpoche spoke to the Tibetan community about culture, language and religion, including dialogues with Tibetan youth. Rinpoche gave Dharma teachings on "Eight Verses of Thought Transformation," "A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" and "The Foundation of All Good Qualities," and he bestowed the White Tara Long-Life initiation.

On 31st August, in an interview with Voice of America (VOA) Tibetan, His Eminence Ling Rinpoche discussed his visit to North America and the challenges of preserving traditional monastic education and Buddhist culture in exile.

Voice of America Interview Video

On 2nd September, Rinpoche continued his teachings at Kurukulla Center in Medford, Massachusetts on "The Foundation of All Good Qualities".

Teaching Video

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche visited Ladakh from 8th – 15th August to participate in the Great Summer Debate Festival, along with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, at the invitation of Thiksey Rinpoche and Thiksey Monastery. His Holiness and Rinpoche visited the Shia Mosque in Thiksey, and other locations in the Leh area. Rinpoche also met with Bakula Rinpoche at Pethup Monastery in Ladakh.

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche visited Singapore in June to give teachings and initiations. Rinpoche met with His Eminence Drikung Kyabgon Rinpoche during the visit. Rinpoche bestowed the Manjushri, Thousand-Arm Chenrezig and Vajrapani initiations during a Grand Puja event at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Center.

Rinpoche gave three days of teachings on the "Three Principles of the Path" at the Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling Center.

• "Three Principal Aspects of the Path" Day 1, 28^th June  Teaching Video
• "Three Principal Aspects of the Path" Day 2, 29^th June  Teaching Video
• "Three Principal Aspects of the Path" Day 3, 30^th June  Teaching Video

Rinpoche also gave two days of teachings on the "Eight Verses of Thought Transformation" at the Amitabha Buddhist Centre (FPMT).

• "Eight Verses for Thought Transformation" Day 1, 22^nd June  Teaching Video
• "Eight Verses for Thought Transformation" Day 2, 23^rd June  Teaching Video

Rinpoche’s busy program in Singapore concluded with a Long-Life Puja at Gaden Shartse Dro-Phen Ling center, in honor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 81st birthday.

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche bestowed the Avalokitesvara and Tara Initiations during a visit to Bylakuppe Tibetan Settlement in South India.

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche visited Australia for the first time in April. Rinpoche was greeted at the Brisbane International Airport by H.H. the Dalai Lama's Representative to Australia, a former Gyume Monastery Abbot, organizers of the Festival of Tibet and representatives from the Tibetan community and Dharma centers. In Brisbane, Rinpoche gave a talk to the Tibetan Community and taught on "Karmic Imprints and Life after Death" at the 8th Annual Festival of Tibet. Rinpoche also blessed a stupa and taught "Eight Verses of Thought Transformation" at Langri Tangpa Centre (FPMT). In Byron Bay Rinpoche gave a teaching on "The Heart Sutra" and blessed the Kalachakra stupa at Crystal Palace. In Sydney, Rinpoche gave an "Introduction to Buddhism" teaching to the Tibetan community and gave teachings at Rigpa and Vajrayana Institute (FPMT). Rinpoche also visited the Sunshine Coast to give teachings on "The Three Principal Aspects of the Path" at Chenrezig Institute (FPMT).

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche visited and gave a talk at Gaden Choeling Nunnery in Dharamsala during the annual exam result ceremony.

Rinpoche also visited the Tibetan Children's Village School in Dharamsala at the beginning of their school year. Rinpoche gave a talk and presented awards to long serving staff members.

His Eminence Ling Rinpoche held the annual meeting with the Nechung State Oracle of Tibet in Dharamsala.