Dehradun: On 3 October 2024, a long-life prayer ceremony was held along with the 80th birthday celebration of the 41st Sakya Trizin, Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, organised by the Sakya community at the Sakya Monastery in Rajpur, Dehradun.
The event was attended by 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, high lamas of the Sakya, Ngor, and Tsar traditions, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, Tibetan Justice Commissioner Tenzin Lungtok, former Speaker Pema Jungney, former Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok, former Kalons (Ministers), Public Service Commissioner Karma Yeshi, standing committee members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament, some former parliamentarians, Secretary Dhondul Dorjee of the Department of Religion and Culture, Secretary of the Gaden Phodrang Lobsang Jinpa, and other dignitaries from India and the Tibetan community.
In the afternoon, a birthday celebration was held for Sakya Trichen Rinpoche, presided over by the 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, and other members of the Khon lineage. The chief guest was Satpal Ji Maharaj, Minister for Public Works Department, Culture, and Tourism of Uttarakhand state. Special guests included Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, and Tibetan Justice Commissioner Tenzin Lungtok, along with other reverent lamas, representatives of spiritual leaders, current and former officials of the Central Tibetan Administration, guests from various regions, and members of the monastic and lay communities.
At the event, Sikyong Penpa Tsering delivered the Kashag’s message, offering heartfelt greetings and best wishes on the 80th birthday of Sakya Trichen, Ngawang Kunga Tegchen Palbar Trinley Samphel Wanggi Gyalpo. Warm regards were also extended to the 43rd Sakya Trizin, the 42nd Sakya Trizin, the Khön lineage descendants, and all the attendees. The message highlighted the significant religious, political, and cultural contributions of the Sakya tradition, led by great scholars who helped establish Buddhism in Tibet and has promoted its teachings over centuries.
In his remarks, Sikyong highlighted the enduring legacy of the five Sakya founding masters and their successors, who have upheld and propagated the Buddha’s teachings through explanation, debate, and practice. The message highlighted the significant religious, political, and cultural contributions of the Sakya tradition, led by these great scholars who helped establish Buddhism in Tibet and promoted its teachings.
It praised the efforts of figures like the great scholar Kunga Gyaltsen and his disciple, Drogon Chogyal Phagpa, who earned the favour of the Mongol emperors and their subjects through their profound Dharma teachings. By halting a major Chinese invasion, they offered fearless refuge to hundreds of thousands. They also unified Tibet’s three provinces under one political authority, ending a period of division.
In the speech, Sikyong applauded Sakya Gongma Rinpoche for his steadfast support of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s leadership and the Tibetan administration throughout his time in exile. Sikyong also highlighted Rinpoche’s global efforts to spread the teachings of Sutra and Tantra, while fostering non-sectarian disciples in Tibet, which have greatly benefited the preservation of Buddhism and the Sakya tradition. Reflecting on the hardships of exile, Sikyong praised Sakya Trizin’s pivotal role in re-establishing Sakya monasteries, modernising their education systems, and promoting gender equality by empowering female teachers and abbots. Additionally, the Sikyong acknowledged his founding of Dharma centres worldwide and his transparent reforms to the Sakya throne-holder system, underscoring the far-reaching impact of his religious and secular contributions.
Sikyong expressed personal gratitude for the privilege of attending several significant events honouring Sakya Gongma Rinpoche, including the golden jubilee of his enthronement in 2009, the 50th anniversary of the Sakya Institute of Higher Buddhist Studies in 2022, and now the celebration of Rinpoche’s 80th birthday. He conveyed his appreciation for being able to offer a brief long-life prayer on behalf of the Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration.
Additionally, Sikyong emphasised that this celebration is an opportunity to reflect on Sakya Gongma Rinpoche’s remarkable contributions and to put his teachings into practice.
In his concluding remarks, Sikyong extended heartfelt birthday greetings and wished Sakya Gongma Rinpoche a long life, hoping that all his noble aspirations will be fulfilled.