Dehradun — A ceremony of prayer for long life and the celebration of the 80th birthday of Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche, the 41st holder of the throne of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, took place on October 3, 2024. Representatives of Central Tibetan Administrations and Tibetan communities joined in the celebration of his birthday.
Sakya community and the 42nd Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, Khondung Avikriti Vajra Rinpoche, Khondung Asanga Vajra Rinpoche, Dungsey Abhaya Vajra Rinpoche, high lamas of the Sakya, offered a long life prayer to Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche in the morning. Representatives of Central Tibetan Administrations and Tibetan communities joined the event. The event was organised by the Sakya community at the Sakya Monastery in Rajpur, Dehradun, on October 3, 2024.
Representing the Central Tibetan Administration, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, as the incumbent Kalon (Minister) of the Department of Religion and Culture, made the offering of mandala and three auspicious jewels to Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche during the long-life prayers.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the 42nd Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, Khondung Avikriti Vajra Rinpoche, Khondung Asanga Vajra Rinpoche, Dungsey Abhaya Vajra Rinpoche, and reverent lamas and Dagmos of Sakya and its sub-schools Ngor and Tsar lineage. Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, Tibetan Justice Commissioner Tenzin Lungtok, former Speaker Pema Jungney, former Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, former Kalons (Ministers), Public Service Commissioner Karma Yeshi, standing committee members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament, some former parliamentarians, Secretary Dhondul Dorjee of the Department of Religion and Culture, Secretary of the Gaden Phodrang Lobsang Jinpa, and other dignitaries from India and the Tibetan community also joined the long life prayer offering event.
The member of National Commission for Minorities, Smt. Rinchen Lhamo, former Lok Sabha member Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, and other dignitaries representing various schools of Tibetan Buddhism and civil societies also attended the long-life prayer offering.
In the afternoon, a birthday celebration was held for Sakya Trichen Rinpoche, presided over by the 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, and other members of the Khon lineage. The chief guest was Satpal Ji Maharaj, Minister for Public Works Department, Culture, and Tourism of Uttarakhand state. Special guests included Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, and Tibetan Justice Commissioner Tenzin Lungtok, along with other reverent lamas, representatives of spiritual leaders, current and former officials of the Central Tibetan Administration, guests from various regions, and members of the monastic and lay communities.
Secretary Lobsang Jinpa delivered the message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Abbot of Gaden Shartse Monastery read the message of the 104th Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Palsangpo for the occasion. Similarly, Sikyong Penpa Tsering delivered the message of the Kashag (Cabinet). They offered their sincere greetings and best wishes on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Sakya Trichen and praised the contributions of Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche. They also highlighted the important religious, political and cultural contributions of the Sakya tradition, led by great scholars who have helped to establish Buddhism in Tibet and promote its teachings over the centuries.
Sakya Gongma Rinpoche and the 43rd Sakya Trizin, as well as other dignitaries, including chief guest Shri Satpal Maharaj, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Irrigation (Government of Uttarakhand), and special guests Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Sikyong Penpa Tsering, also spoke at the celebration.