Dharamshala: President Dr Lobsang Sangay on Thursday greeted Sakya Tibetan Society Puruwala and their patron, Kyabje Sakya Gongma Rinpoche on the occasion of their 50th founding anniversary.
The golden jubilee celebration was marked with full fervour and gaiety at the Sakya Thubten Namgyal Ling Institute. The celebration will extend for two days.
Chief guest President Dr Sangay chaired the ceremony along with Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, the 42nd Kyabgon Gongma Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche and members of the Dolma Phodrang and Phuntsok Phodrang lineage.
Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Pema Jungney and Kalon Karma Yeshi, Department of Finance, CTA were present as special guests.
The President extended his congratulations to all members of the Sakya Tibetan Society and took the occasion to express gratitude to Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche for the valuable leadership he gave the Puruwala Tibetan community throughout 50 years.
“I feel exceptionally fortunate to have participated in today’s long life offering ceremony towards Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche.”
“Rinpoche has played a commendable role in the founding of the Tibetan settlement and continues to support the spiritual and developmental needs of the settlement. Beyond that, He has consistently supported His Holiness the Dalai Lama in all his endeavours and visions. Rinpoche’s efforts in preserving the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, culture and the unity of Tibetan people have been exemplary,” President said in his remarks at the long life ceremony.
“On behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration, I pay my deepest gratitude and offer prayers for his long and healthy life.”
Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche served as the 41st head of the Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism until March 2017, when the spiritual throne was handed over to Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin. Sakya Tibetan Society situated in Puruwala, District Sirmur, Himachal Pradesh, was established by Sakya Gongma Rinpoche in 1969. The settlement has members from all the three provinces of Tibet with the majority being from Sakya. Under the blessings and guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and support from European Refugee Campaign, the site for the settlement was purchased in 1967. Two years later, Sakya Tibetan Society was formally registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 Government of India. His Holiness the Dalai Lama first visited the settlement in 1982.
Sakya Tibetan Society is today a vibrant and energetic Tibetan refugee settlement administered by a CTA Settlement Office and Sakya Society.
President Dr Sangay participating in the long life offering towards Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche at the golden jubilee celebration.
Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche at the golden jubilee celebration of Sakya Tibetan Society, Puruwala, 21 February 2019.
The 42nd Kyabgon Gongma Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche at the long life offering ceremony for Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche.
Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin, representative of Sakya Phuntsok Phodrang, President Dr Lobsang Sangay and Speaker Pema Jungney, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile at the religious ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Sakya Tibetan Society Puruwala.
Members of Sakya Tibetan Society Puruwala clad in traditional attire to mark the celebrations.