The group carried 18-inch golden Buddha statues and volumes of the Kangyur in a grand procession that circumambulated the temple before walking over two kilometers to the new Pal Thubten Shedrub Ling monastery.

The event included a consecration and cleansing ritual for 1,000 Buddha statues, among other practices. Nepal’s Prime Minister, Prachanda, joined the ceremony before the unveiling of the 16-foot golden Buddhas of the three times, surrounded by 1,022 smaller golden Buddha statues. The monks then began reciting the Kangyur, the collected words of the Buddha, a process that took two and a half days to complete.

The day after Saga Dawa Duchen, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche delivered the first teaching in front of the newly consecrated statues.

On Sunday, sixty nuns from Nagi Gompa, having recently completed their 17-day Nyungne Retreat, performed various practices, including two Tara pujas.

These four days of celebration and practice marked the first phase of the inauguration of Pal Thubten Shedrub Ling Monastery. The grand inauguration is scheduled for Lhabab Duchen on November 22, 2024, coinciding with Lhabab Duchen, the day that commemorates the Buddha's Descent from Heaven.

The inauguration date aligns with cooler autumn conditions and the 44th Annual Fall Seminar in Nepal, attracting students worldwide.

The seminar will commence on November 23, 2024, in the newly inaugurated temple and will span five days, followed by a three-day Tara's Triple Excellence retreat. Additional information will be available on Facebook and via email from shedrub.org.

The new temple aims to be a sanctuary for Buddhist practitioners of all traditions and a source of joy and peace for all visitors. Located in Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Thousand Buddha Temple welcomes both Buddhists and non-Buddhists to experience its tranquil environment, flower gardens, sacred statues, and intricate wall paintings.