Solan: Sikyong Penpa Tsering attended the closing ceremony of the 34th Menri Drubchen at Yung Drung Bon Monastery in Dolanji, Solan, as chief guest on 27 April 2024.
Presided over by His Eminence the 34th Menri Trizin Lungtok Dawa Dhargyal Rinpoche, the Menri Drubchen’s concluding ceremony was also attended by Menri Lopon Rinpoche, Menri Shedrup Khenpo, Menri Shedrup Master, Tibetan Parliamentarians: Geshe Monlam Tharchin, Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen, and Sonam Norbu Ratsa, former Tibetan Parliamentarian Tsewang Tashi Bhara, Dolanji Tibetan Settlement Officer Tenzin Choephel, monks of the Menri Monastery, Tibetan residents and devotees.
Following the presentation of cultural performances by Tibetan settlers, STS Dolanji and Zhang-Bod Sorig Bumshi students, Sikyong Penpa Tsering delivered his keynote address.
Beginning with the history of long-established Tibetan medicinal tradition, Sikyong said, “The advent and prevalence of this tradition can be traced back to the composition of medical treatises by Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche and His son Chedbu Trishe. The tradition later reached its culmination during the reign of King Trisong Detsen, as it can be comprehended from the historical accounts of Yutog Yontan Gonpo’s discourse with nine learned physicians from neighbouring kingdoms at Samye Monastery and the establishment of a medical school at Menlung Valley in Kongpo.”
“The tradition of Tibetan medicine has been supplemented by the practical experiences and findings of many learned and accomplished masters of the past and present, who have written hundreds of medical treatises throughout the centuries, and separate medical colleges have been established at many monasteries to continue the study and practice of medicine that has been carried out in varying ways, including the study and practice of the texts, the therapeutic techniques, and the unique practice of associating deities.” Sikyong added, ” Likewise, the practices of this tradition are also widespread in the Yungdrung Bon monasteries, and the Menri Drupchen ritual has been Tibet’s unique heritage that was carried out by successive throne holders of Menri monastery without any degeneration following its restoration by Nyame Sherab Gyaltsen.”
Mentioning the revival of this ritual in exile by the 33rd Menri Trizin in 1988, Sikyong Penpa Tsering extended his gratitude to the 34th Menri Trizin and Menri monastery for being able to take part in this great event.
After concluding his address, Sikyong was presented with a memento by His Eminence the 34th Menri Trizin.