
Taklung Matrul Rinpoche, Head of Taklung Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhist tradition speaking at the All Religions Prayer for World Peace and Special Talk on Inter-religious Harmony, an initiative of Kullu-Manali Settlement Office. Photo/Kullu-Manali Settlement Office
Kullu, Manali: On 3 March, the auspicious White Wednesday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, the Settlement Office of Kullu- Manali organised the first of a kind inter-religious dialogue, titled ‘All Religions Prayer for World Peace and Special Talk on Inter-religious Harmony’ under the auspices of the Central Tibetan Administration.
The Central Tibetan Administration led by the 15th Kashag dedicated the year 2020-21 as ‘Year of Gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It is in this spirit that TSO Kullu Manali has taken the initiative to organise a special talk, bringing together representatives of various religious traditions to talk about one of the four principal commitments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama: the promotion of Inter-religious harmony.
Honorary representatives of the different religions who graced the event include Taklung Matrul Rinpoche, Head of Taklung Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Lochen Rinpoche, Khentsap, Kais Dagpo Shedup Monastery, Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Pandit ji Mahima Nautiyal, Bodh Nath Mandir at Manali, Imam Molana Sajit ji, Masjid at Manali, Reverend. Naresh Lall ji, the Lady Willington Hospital, Manali, Sardar ji Bhagtishwar Sigh ji, Gurudwara Temple based in Manali. Local pradhan, members of Tibet Support Group also attended.
Mr Thupten Chophel, Settlement Officer of Kullu-Manali Tibetan Settlement delivered the welcome address, followed by all the representatives of various faith who spoke on inter-religious harmony.
On behalf of the CTA, the Settlement Officer felicitated each representative with a traditional Tibetan scarf and souvenirs and thanked the Kais Dagpo Shedup Monastery, Kullu-Manali for sponsoring the luncheon and refreshments for all the guests and audience at the gathering.
The special talk concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr Thokmey, President of Local Tibetan Assembly, Kullu-Manali.
The second segment of the event included Buddhist introductory teaching and conferring of initiation by Kyapje Taklung Matrul Rinpoche.
- Report filed by Kullu-Manali Settlement Office

Mandala offering by Mr Thupten Chophel, Settlement Officer of Kullu-Manali Tibetan Settlement to Taklung Matrul Rinpoche during the Buddhist introductory teaching and conferring of initiation. Photo/Kullu-Manali Settlement Office

Mr Thupten Chophel, Settlement Officer of Kullu-Manali Tibetan Settlement delivers the welcome address. Photo/Kullu-Manali Settlement Office

Tibetans from in and around Kullu-Manali gathered for the daylong event. Photo/Kullu-Manali Settlement Office

Representatives of the various religious traditions at the event. Photo/Kullu-Manali Settlement Office

Pandit ji Mahima Nautiyal, Bodh Nath Mandir at Manali, addressing the Special talk on inter-religious harmony. Photo/Kullu-Manali Settlement Office

Imam Molana Sajit ji, Masjid at Manali, addressing the Special talk on inter-religious harmony. Photo/Kullu-Manali Settlement Office

Reverend. Naresh Lall ji, the Lady Willington Hospital, Manali, addressing the Special talk on inter-religious harmony. Photo/Kullu-Manali Settlement Office

Sardar ji Bhagtishwar Sigh ji, Gurudwara Temple based in Manali, addressing the Special talk on inter-religious harmony. Photo/Kullu-Manali Settlement Office

Felicitation of Taklung Matrul Rinpoche by the representatives of the various religious traditions.

Felicitation of Lochen Rinpoche, Khentsap, Kais Dagpo Shedup Monastery, Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhist tradition, by the representatives of the various religious traditions.

The felicitation ceremony in progress.

Rinpoche blessing members of the audience. Photo/Kullu-Manali Settlement Office