Dharamshala: Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok of Department of Religion and Culture, CTA returned to Dharamsala today evening after successfully concluding his official tour to attend the long life offering ceremony for Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche and official visit to Tibetan Monastic institutions located near Dehradun.
After attending cremation ceremony of late Kyabje Taklung Tsetrul Rinpoche at Shimla Dorjedrak Monastery on October 19, 2017, Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok left for Satoan to pay official visit to the Tibetan Monasteries located around Dehradun. The visit to the Tibetan monasteries is a part of his ongoing program to visit Tibetan Monastic Institutions and Cultural Centers for the purpose of taking stock of present status and to inspect overall administrations of them.
On October 21 to 22, 2017 Kalon visited Tibetan monasteries and nunneries located in Sataun, Kamrao, Paonta, Herbertpur and Puruwala. During the visit, Kalon had taken tour in monasteries halls, offices, library and hostels and more. He also met Khenpos and monks in charge of their respective monasteries.
On October 23 to 24, 2017 Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok paid a visit to Tibetan Monasteries and Nunneries in Manduwala and Rajpur which are under the jurisdiction of Dehradun Tibetan Settlement office. As per program arranged by Tibetan Settlement office, Kalon also visited Dickyiling Sambota Tibetan School, Rajpur old people’s home, Branch office of Audit General and office of Local Tibetan Justice Commission, Dehradun.
During his visit to the Tibetan Monastic institutions in the Tibetan Settlements, Kalon was warmly received by Tibetan Settlement officers, speaker of local Tibetan Assembly, Justice Commissioner of Local Tibetan Justice Commission, representatives of the respective Tibetan settlements, Khenpos and representatives of respective monasteries and various organisations. He was also accompanied by respective settlement officers when visiting the monasteries.
Kalon offered veneration and tea (Nyinkur and Mangja) to the monks & nuns and expressed his appreciation to Khenpos and monks in charge of their respective monasteries for devoting their lives in preserving Tibetan religion and taking care of the monasteries which are the only source of knowledge on Tibetan Buddhism and center for learning and practicing ancient Nalanda Buddhism. Kalon expressed that the department will continue to support the Tibetan monasteries and will do its best to extend necessary help and facilities required by the monasteries. Kalon also gave a public talk in Herbertpur settlement as requested by Tibetan settlement officer.
After successfully completing official visit in Tibetan Monastic Institutions, Kalon left of Drikung Kagyu Monastery where he met Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, the spiritual head of Drikung Kagyu of Tibetan Buddhism, at his residence and paid an official greeting. On October 25, 2017 Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok attended the long life offering ceremony for Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche organized by International Drikung Kagyu Council at Drikung Kagyu Monastery, Dehradun. Around ten thousand sponsors and devotees came to attend the ceremony.
-Report filed by Department of Religion-