Dehradun: The Central Tibetan Administration has joined in the offering of long-life prayers to Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche, the 41st throne holder of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, on 3 October 2024.

Representing the Central Tibetan Administration, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, as the incumbent Kalon (Minister) of the Department of Religion and Culture, made the offering of mandala and three auspicious jewels to Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche during the long-life prayers.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of the 42nd Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, Khondung Avikriti Vajra Rinpoche, Khondung Asanga Vajra Rinpoche, Dungsey Abhaya Vajra Rinpoche, and reverent lamas and Dagmos of Sakya and its sub-schools Ngor and Tsar lineage.

From the Central Tibetan Administration, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, Tibetan Justice Commissioner Tenzin Lungtok, Public Service Commissioner Karma Yeshi, Standing Committee member of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, and Secretary Dhondul Dorjee attended the event, along with a former Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, former Tibetan Parliamentarians, and Gaden Phodrang Secretary Lobsang Jinpa.

The member of National Commission for Minorities, Smt. Rinchen Lhamo, former Lok Sabha member Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, and other dignitaries representing various schools of Tibetan Buddhism and civil societies also attended the long-life prayer offering.

Later that afternoon, a birthday celebration marking the 80th birthday of Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche was held where Secretary Lobsang Jinpa delivered the message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the occasion. Likewise, the Abbot of the Gaden Shartse Monastery read the message from 104th Gaden Tripa Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Palsangpo.

The celebration was also addressed by Sakya Gongma Rinpoche and the 43rd Sakya Trizin, and other dignitaries, including the chief guest, Shri Satpal Maharaj, the Minister of Tourism, Cultural, and Irrigation (Government of Uttarakhand), and the special guests Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Sikyong Penpa Tsering.

In addition, on the morning of that day, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the incumbent Kalon of the Department of Religion and Culture, received a special audience with Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Rinpoche. A day earlier, the Secretary of Department of Religion and Culture received an audience with the 42nd Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche and the 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra Rinpoche.