Sikyong Penpa Tsering addressing the function to mark the 105th anniversary of Mentseekhang in Lhasa, and the 60th anniversary of the Mentseekhang in exile on 17 October 2021.

Dharamshala: Sikyong Penpa Tsering of the Central Tibetan Administration today attended a function to mark the 105th founding anniversary of Mentseekhang in Lhasa by Thupten Gyatso, the 13th Dalai Lama and the 60th founding anniversary of the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute in Exile since its reestablishment in 1961 by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The function also celebrated the 14th anniversary of the conferment of the US Congressional Gold Medal to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in 2007.

The function to celebrate the three coinciding anniversaries was organised by the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute. With Sikyong Penpa Tsering as the chief guest, the special guest at the celebration was Palden Dhondup, secretary of the Department of Health. Other guests include Chief Justice Commissioner Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Justice Commissioners, the Auditor General, Public Service Commissioner, and the Secretaries of the various departments of the Central Tibetan Administration.

The event commenced with the Chief Guest and Special Guest lighting a lamp, followed by opening remarks from Tashi Tsering Phuri, Director of Mentseekhang.

In his address, Sikyong Penpa Tsering highlighted His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s visions behind re-establishing the Mentseekhang in exile and expressed the need to show gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his lifelong struggle and contributions for the Tibetan people. He said we must follow His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s guidance and also condemned those who cause unnecessary concerns.

Sikyong also applauded Mentseekhang’s achievements since its establishment. He said Mentseekhang is a unique Tibetan institution in exile that serves multiple purposes simultaneously such as providing physical and mental sustenance to Tibetans and foreigners alike through its medicines and astrology, creating employment opportunities for Tibetan people, and offering financial support to the Central Tibetan Administration. He attributed the achievements to the far-sighted vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the unwavering efforts of the successive staff and administrators of the institute.

The program saw the felicitation of several long-serving staff of Mentseekhang and presentations of awards to meritorious students of the institute. The program also included traditional dance performances by students, a book launch, and the inauguration of a new section on its website (www.product.men-tsee-khang.org).

The event successfully concluded with a luncheon.

Group photo of the guests with several long-serving staff of Mentseekhang. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA

Sikyong at the function.

Students of Men-tsee-khang performing a traditional dance. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA

The Secretary of Health Department Palden Dhondup inaugurating the new book. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA