Dehradun: Sikyong Penpa Tsering concluded the official visitation to the Dehradun region after attending the 60th Founding Anniversary of Tibetan Homes Foundation (THF), a registered Tibetan charitable institution established in 1962, earlier today on 30 October 2022.
The 60th founding anniversary of THF was celebrated with the school’s inter-house sports competition at the Sambhota school’s, adjacent to THF, football ground.
Addressing the gathering, Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang, the event’s chief guest, highlighted His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s efforts in preserving Tibetan cultural heritage while expressing appreciation to the government of India and its people for their unceasing support. Rinpoche further emphasised the study of Tibetan languages in conserving Tibetan religion and traditions.
Likewise, the 41st Sakya Trizin stressed the continuous inheritance of Tibetan traditional and modern education through dedicated commitments by the respective generations. Finally, Rinpoche prayed for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other holders of Tibetan Buddhism during the commemoration.
Following the conclusion of his address, Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche launched the school’s magazine and memoir of Taring Jigme Sumten Wangpo Namgyal, the eldest son of the half-brother of the Maharaja of Sikkim and an important aristocratic official of the government of independent Tibet.
In his address, the guest of honour, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, recalled the contributions of Rinchen Dolma Taring and older generation Tibetans in establishing Tibetan Homes School and other major institutes. He also urged the students to be active partakers in resolving the Tibetan conflict while assuring diligence from the current Kashag.
Narrating His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s journey into India and eventual settlement at Dharamshala, Sikyong advised students to follow His Holiness’ guidance while persuading gathering to consistently seek blessing and advice from Sakya Trizin Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, given the closeness between THF and the later’s residence.
Special guest honourable Subhash Kumar, the former Chief Secretary of the government of Uttarakhand, and Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel also addressed the school’s founding anniversary cum sports day.
The event also witnessed the bestowal of Tibetan thangka to Sikyong and Speaker from THF to express gratitude for their dedicated services. At the same time, honourable Subhash Kumar and Tsedor from Swiss Norsang Aid were also presented with souvenirs.
Before attending the inter-school debate at Tsering Dolma Auditorium in the afternoon, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Sikyong Penpa Tsering escorted Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang during the consecration of newly built shrines of Shedup Choephelling, the first Tibetan temple in exile.
The celebration to mark the completion of one rabjung (sixty-year cycle in the Tibetan calendar) since the institute’s inception was attended by chief guest Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang, special guest Honourable Subhash Kumar, guests of honour Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Sikyong Penpa Tsering.
The other dignitaries on the guest list of the commemoration include Kasur Ngodup Dongchung, Secretary Jigme Namgyal from the Department of Education, Dehradun Tibetan Settlement Officer Dhondup Gyalpo and the members of the governing body of Tibetan Homes Foundation led by General Secretary Gendun Rinchen.