DHARAMSHALA: His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche welcomed  Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay to Palpung Sherabling monastery in Bir, Himachal Pradesh on Monday. Sikyong was invited to the monastery to address the monks of the monastery on his way back to Dharamshala from attending the Himalayan festival in Shimla.

Sikyong was given a warm welcome to the monastery. Hundreds of monks lined up on the streets to receive him, after which a traditional Tibetan snow-lion dance was performed to grace his arrival.

In his address to the monks, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay talked about the importance of Tibetan Buddhism and the huge contribution that Situ Rinpoche has made to it till now. Sikyong acknowledged that Tibetan Buddhism, culture and language are the three precious jewels of Tibet.

Speaking on education, Sikyong urged the monks to pursue modern education with as much zeal as they pursue traditional Tibetan knowledge. “The Tibetan monasteries including Palpung Sherabling, are a great reservoir of traditional Tibetan knowledge. The monasteries should now focus on modern education so that it becomes an even greater institution of learning,” he said.

Sikyong emphasised the prioritisation of education and academic excellence by the 14th Kashag. He talked about the Sikyong scholarship as well as the various other scholarships provided by the Central Tibetan Administration to boost academic excellence in the Tibetan community.

Sikyong Dr Sangay also talked about the Middle Way Policy of the Central Tibetan Administration. The Middle Way Policy is a non-violent, mutually beneficial solution that seeks to resolve the Tibet issue amicably with the Chinese side, he said. Government officials and parliamentarians across the world support  this policy. Moreover, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has assured that the Middle Way Policy will resolve the Tibet issue within his lifetime, he added.

His Eminence Tai Situ Rinpoche, in his address, gave a brief history of the Palpung Sherabling monastery and the earlier Situpa lineages. He talked about the rich history of Tibetan Buddhism and the role that various Indian and Tibetan scholars have played in the growth of Tibetan Buddhism.

Situ Rinpoche also urged the importance of unity among the Tibetan community and the importance of inculcating the values espoused by His Holiness the Dalai Lama to lead a happy and contented life.

The current Situ Rinpoche Pema Dhonyoe is the 12th in the Tai Situpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism’s Kagyu tradition.  

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay returned back to Dharamshala in the afternoon.