Udayagiri, Jajpur: The ancient hills of the Diamond Triangle resonate with sacred chants this week as the 2nd Guru Padmasambhava Ceremony (Monlam) commenced at the historic Udayagiri Buddhist site. Running from 11 to 16 January 2026, the event has transformed the archaeological landscape into a vibrant hub of global spiritual exchange, drawing over 1,700 monks, scholars, and devotees from across India and international Buddhist communities.
The spiritual heart of the gathering centered on the profound discourses delivered by Guruji Jigme Rinpoche. Addressing a diverse congregation of the Sangha and lay practitioners, Guruji Rinpoche emphasized that Guru Padmasambhava, often revered as the Second Buddha, is not merely a figure of the 8th century but a living presence within the practice of compassion and wisdom.
Guruji Rinpoche spoke extensively on the historical and spiritual tether between Odisha and the Himalayan Buddhist traditions. He noted that the teachings of Vajrayana, which Padmasambhava famously carried to Tibet, found some of their most fertile early grounds in the monastic universities of Ratnagiri and Udayagiri. According to Rinpoche, the reawakening of these sites through prayer ceremonies serves to bridge a millennium-old gap, reconnecting the modern practitioner with the primordial energy of the lineage.
In his daily talks, Jigme Rinpoche focused on the contemporary relevance of the Padmasambhava teachings. He urged the global community to look toward the Guru’s example of taming inner and outer conflicts through the power of meditation and altruistic intent. He spoke of the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) and the importance of maintaining pure awareness amidst the chaos of the modern world.
Guruji Rinpoche’s presence has been a catalyst for the Knowledge Dialogues held during the ceremony. These sessions bring together traditional lineage holders and academic scholars to discuss the archaeological evidence supporting the claim that Padmasambhava hailed from Oddiyana, a region many historians and practitioners identify with present-day Odisha.
The six-day programme is a meticulous blend of ritual and education. Each morning begins with collective prayers for world peace, followed by sacred chanting that fills the ruins of the ancient monasteries. The evenings are marked by the lighting of thousands of butter lamps, symbolizing the dispelling of ignorance.
The event, organized by the Light of Buddha Dharma Foundation International (LBDFI) with support from the Odisha Tourism and Culture Departments, underscores the state’s commitment to revitalizing its Buddhist heritage. By hosting spiritual giants like Guruji Jigme Rinpoche, Odisha reaffirms its status as a premier destination for spiritual learning and a guardian of the civilizational links that united ancient India with the rest of the Buddhist world.
As the ceremony continues through 16 January, participants will participate in a pilgrimage walk (Jatra) through the Diamond Triangle—connecting the stupas of Ratnagiri, the relics of Lalitgiri, and the sprawling monastic complexes of Udayagiri—solidifying the region’s role as a living center of harmony.