OBITUARY: Venerable Chodak Gyatso Nubpa Saturday, 17 October 2009, 10:07 a.m.

File photo of Venerable Chodak Nubpa while serving as chairman of the 10th Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies from 1988 – 1990

Dharamshala: The
Central Tibetan Administration deeply mourned the sad demise of
Venerable Chodak Gyatso Nubpa, who served as the chairman of the 10th
Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies from 1988 – 1990 and took leading
roles in the administration and non governmental organisations in the
exile Tibetan community. Ven. Chodak Gyatso Nubpa passed away
after prolonged illness in the northeastern Indian city of Gangtok on
13 October. He was 58. As a mark of respect, the departments
and offices of the Administration remained closed this  afternoon,
following an hour-long prayer session at 2:15 p.m.  Senior officials
from the Supreme Justice Commission, Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile,
Kashag and three autonomous bodies attended the prayer session.
In his condolence message, Kalon Venerable Tsering Phuntsok praised
late Chodak Gyatso’s contribution, dedication and selfless devotion to
the Tibetan cause. He was extolled for his mastery of both traditional
Tibetan and modern education.

Central Tibetan Administration officials observe a minute silence on the sad demise of Chodak Gyatso Nubpa/Photo by Sangey Kyap

Born
into an eminent Nyingma lineage family in 1951 in Aninkar, Tibet,
Chodak Gyatso began his education at the age of four at Nyendril Ling
Monastery. With his family, he fled Tibet in 1959. Many of his
immediate family died during the perilous escape into India.
Chodak Gyatso received his school education from the Tibetan school in
Mussoorie. He continued his studies in traditional and modern education
at the Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies. He later spent two years at
the University of Delhi, studying both Eastern and Western philosophy
at the postgraduate level. He received teachings and
transmissions from many learned spiritual teachers, including His
Eminence Dudjom Rinpoche and H.E. Dilgo Kheyntse Rinpoche.
Chodak Gyatso worked in various capacities in the exile Tibetan
community from 1979 – 1990. He served as the president of the Bod
Rangwang Denpai Legul Tsokchung in Varanasi. He took charge as the
president of students’ welfare committee at the Institute of Higher
Tibetan Studies, Varanasi. Later, he was chosen as the adviser of the
international students’ association at Delhi University. He also served
as the first president of the Indo-Tibetan Friendship Association in
Dharamsala. He chaired the 10th Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies
from 2 Sept 1988 to 11 May 1990 after getting elected as the
representative of Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism in the assembly.
Earlier from 2 Sept 1987 to 1 Sept 1988, he was elected as the vice
chairman of the 9th ATPD. He came to Los Angeles in 1992 at
the request of His Eminence Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, and took charge of
the Thondup Ling Buddhist Center in Los Feliz, Los Angeles.