Ravangla: On 17 October 2024, the leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) joined a celebration of the 600th birth anniversary of 1st Gyalwey Gyaltsab Drung, Goshri Paljor Dhondup, at Densa Palchen Chosling, Sikkim, India.

The ceremony commemorated the birth of the 1st Gyalwey Gyaltsab, Drung Goshri Paljor Dhondup, and was graced by the presence of prominent religious figures, including Kyabje Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche, Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche, Khen Lodoe Dhonyoe Rinpoche, and Gonjang Rinpoche. Representatives from various Tibetan monasteries, namely Tshurpu Labrang, Palpung Labrang, Jamgon Labrang, and Benchen Monastery, along with Tulkus, members of the Sangha, Khenpos, monks, and nuns, were also in attendance.

Other notable attendees included Madam Sarda Tamang, former MLA Shri Aditya Golay, Shri Prabhakar Golay, and Shri M. N. Sherpa, Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, who represented the Chief Guest, Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri P. S. Tamang. The royal parents of Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan, alongside devotees from around the globe, also attended the event.

Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Standing Committee members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, including Parliamentarian Juchen Kunchok Chodon, Parliamentarian Ven Tenpa Yarphel, Parliamentarian Ven Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten, Parliamentarian Ven Lopon Thupten Gyaltsen, Parliamentarian Dhondup Tashi Tsaneytsang, Parliamentarian Ven Geshe Monlam Tharchin, Parliamentarian Ven Kunga Sotop, and Parliamentarian Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar, and Secretary Dhondul Dorjee from the Department of Religion and Culture represented the Central Tibetan Administration, along with Secretary Lobsang Jinpa from the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

During the celebration, Kyabje Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche addressed the gathering, followed by a video message from the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. Secretary Lobsang Jinpa read a message from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Other notable speeches included a talk on the 600-year legacy of Gyaltsab Rinpoche by historian Tashi Tsering and a presentation on the life of the 1st Gyaltsabpa, Goshri Paljor Dhondup, by Khenpo Lekthong. Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration also delivered speeches.

Sikyong Penpa Tsering delivered a keynote address at Densa Palchen Chosling Monastery, focusing on the critical need to preserve the Tibetan language and culture.

In his speech, Sikyong Penpa Tsering remarked on the resilience and growth of Tibetan Buddhism outside Tibet. “Despite the loss of our homeland, we have been fortunate to retain our religious teachers, including His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, whose teachings continue to benefit us and the world through Tibetan Buddhism,” he said.

According to the Sikyong statement, there are currently 292 registered monasteries and nunneries under the Religious and Cultural Department of the Central Tibetan Administration, with around 40,000 monks and nuns. Of these, 69% come from the Himalayan region, 29% are Tibetans, and 2% are non-Tibetans and non-Himalayans, composed of Mongolians and others.

In particular, he emphasised the importance of the Tibetan language, not for promoting the Tibetan language but for a deeper understanding of Tibetan Buddhism.  “Between the 8th and 13th centuries, many of our masters, including many Kagyu masters, transliterated the Sanskrit and Pali into the Tibetan language,” he explained. “And today, the Tibetan language is the only language with all the Buddha’s teachings.”

Addressing the state of Tibetan Buddhism in Sikkim, Sikyong Penpa Tsering expressed his gratitude to the leadership and people of Sikkim, along with Buddhist leaders, for their tireless efforts in representing the matter to the Government of India. “I want to thank the people of Sikkim, the leadership, the general public, and the Buddhist leaders who have made numerous representations to the Government of India,” he said.

In conclusion, Sikyong Penpa Tsering referenced a recent development concerning a case involving the Enforcement Directorate in the Himachal Pradesh High Court. “Just yesterday, there was a hearing regarding the Enforcement Directorate case, and the outcome of that proceeding seems promising. I believe it will create a conducive environment that may further encourage 17th Gyalwang Karmapa Rinpoche to return to Sikkim,” Sikyong Penpa Tsering concluded, extending his appreciation to all those involved.

In the afternoon, a cake-cutting ceremony was held to mark the 600th anniversary. Sikyong Penpa Tsering was granted a special audience with Kyabje Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche earlier that day.

After a lunch break, the ceremony resumed with a speech by the representative of the Chief Guest, Speaker Shri M. N. Sherpa. The launching of several vital works followed this: Kyabje Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche unveiled the collective writings of Goshri Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Madam Sarda Tamang launched a pictorial book on Kyabgon Gyaltsab Rinpoche, and Kabje Bokar Rinpoche released a biography of Marpa Lotsawa, written by the 4th Gyaltsabpa. Sikyong Penpa Tsering launched the transcribed teachings of the 12th Kyabgon Gyaltsab Rinpoche, and Shri M. N. Sherpa launched an English biography of Gyaltsab Rinpoche. The 12th Kyabgon Gyaltsab Rinpoche presented awards to Chief Minister Shri P. S. Tamang and posthumously to Lt. Karma Dhamchoe Khedup, received by his niece, Pema Yangchen.

The event concluded with a Tsog offering by the nuns of Kyegu Dagmo Chosling, followed by a tea party and a performance by the Tibetan Opera group of Remtek D.C.C. Khenpo Gyurme Dorje of Densa Palchen Chosling delivered a vote of thanks. At 3:30 p.m., the celebration concluded with mass prayers for world peace.