Ravangla, Sikkim: From 17 to 18 October 2024, Palchen Choling Monastery in Sikkim hosted a ceremony marking the 600th birth anniversary of the First Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Drung Goshri Paljor Dondrub, along with a long-life prayer offering for the current Gyaltsab Rinpoche. The Sikyong who also serves as the Kalon (Minister) of the Department of Religion and Culture, and the department’s Secretary attended the event.

The 12th Drung Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche, Zurmang Garwang Rinpoche, Bokar Rinpoche, a representative of Bhutan’s spiritual leader Je Khenpo, Gonjang Rinpoche, and other lamas and tulkus graced the ceremony. The chief guest was the Speaker of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly, Migmar Norbu Sherpa, representing the Chief Minister of Sikkim. Other guests included the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, the Sikyong and Minister of Religion and Culture, Penpa Tsering, the wife of Sikkim’s Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, Krishna Kumari Rai, the Deputy Speaker and some members of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly as well as the standing committee members and regional members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, a representative of the Gaden Phodrang, the Secretary of Religion and Culture, the Chief Administrator of the North-East, and local Tibetan settlement officers. Over a hundred local and international guests and community members were also present.

During the ceremony, Goshir Gyaltsab Rinpoche gave a speech concerning the occasion. Representatives read out messages from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other high lamas. A video message from His Holiness the Karmapa was screened. The Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, the Sikyong, and other dignitaries addressed the ceremonial gathering.

In the afternoon, Kyabje Garwang Rinpoche unveiled the five-volume collected works of the successive Gyaltsabs in the lineage. The chief guest unveiled a photo book of Gyaltsab Rinpoche. Kyabje Bokar Rinpoche unveiled the biography of Marpa Lotsawa by the Fourth Gyaltsab. The honourable Speaker unveiled four volumes of transcribed teachings by Gyaltsab Rinpoche. The honourable Sikyong unveiled one volume of (Goshir’s) biography. The State Assembly Speaker unveiled an English translation of the biography of the Gyaltsab lineage. Then, Kyabje Gyaltsab Rinpoche presented awards to the wife of the State Chief Minister and the two granddaughters of the late State Treasurer. Finally, the monastery’s Khenpo delivered a thank you speech, concluding the ceremony.

On the morning of 18 October, at Palchen Choling Monastery, former Khenpos and teachers from Karma Shri Nalanda Institute, along with devoted students, offered a long-life prayer ceremony to Kyabje Gyaltsab Rinpoche using the Chakrasamvara practice. The Central Tibetan Administration also participated in the ceremony.

-Report filed by Department of Religion and Culture, CTA