Professor Samdhong Rinpoche
Photo: samdhongrinpoche.com
Over 2,000 people attended a ceremony to mark the 75th birthday of His Eminence Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, and to offer him Long Life wishes. The ceremony took place on November 5 at the Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS) at Sarnath, Varanasi.
The day started with some of Rinpoche’s disciples going to the River Ganga at 5.30am to set free some fish and give alms to the poor; the merits gained from this were dedicated to the long life of Prof Samdhong Rinpoche. This was followed with an incense offering at the Kalachakra Temple grounds at CUTS.
“The Eight-Verse thought training
Photo:samdhongrinpoche.com
Rinpoche gave a teaching in the morning, on the text “The Eight-Verse Thought Training” to over a thousand ordained and lay attendees: the university’s alumni, staff and present students. The celebration followed in the afternoon in the University’s Atisha Hall, opening with Professor Samdhong Rinpoche lighting an offering lamp.
Mr Thupten Lungrik, a former Minister, read a message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, “Since we arrived in exile, seeing the importance of education to our youths, as I instructed, Rinpoche shouldered the responsibility courageously and whole-heartedly… Similarly, in order to upgrade the Democratic system of our society…I appointed Rinpoche a member of the 11th Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies …During the tenure, in order to govern by law, Rinpoche made a standard charter, through formulation and enactment of many constitutional laws.”
His Holiness’s message continued, “Rinpoche was elected by the majority of people as the Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) for the 12th and 13th Kashag, and performed all responsibilities without any shortcomings. For the last more than fifty years, Rinpoche has lived with simplicity, contentment and with exalted dedication, has greatly contributed during this crucial period [in Tibet’s history].”
Guests at the celebration paid tribute to Rinpoche’s many virtues, his dedication and the enormous contribution he has made to the Tibetan cause.
Ngawang Rabgyal, Director of Lha Charitable Trust, presents the Felicitation Volume
Photo: samdhongrinpoche.com
The speeches were followed by the launch of the Felicitation Volume, a celebratory book containing prayers for the long life of Prof Samdhong Rinpoche as well as a pictorial history of the University which acknowledges his contribution, together with profiles of the alumni.
Mr Pema Jungey, the Honourable Former Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, read the Felicitation Preamble from all alumni and Dr Penpa Dorje, a member of the Felicitation Organising Committee, read verses of praise from the Volume which had been sent by scholars from inside Tibet. Then the Representatives of Gyuto Tantric Monastery offered the “Three Representation”s (of Enlightened Body, Speech and Mind), in the form of a thangka, a text and stupa. A representative from the Speaking Tibetan Purely Association presented a thankga of the Three Deities of Longevity and Prof Jampa Samte of the Felicitation organising committee gave a thanksgiving speech.
The Felicitation Volume, together with Prof Samdhong Rinpoche’s new Tibetan/English website: www.samdhongrinpoche.com was launched at 6.30pm, both are published by Lha Charitable Trust, Institute for Social Work and Education.
Performance
Photo: samdhongrinpoche.com
The ceremony closed with dances and songs of Tibet, Ladakh, India, Bhutan and Nepal, performed by University staff, and students and alumni.
The event was organised by CUTS alumni and attended by: the University’s Vice-Chancellor Ven Prof Geshe Ngawang Samten; Prof Krishnanath, the renowned Indian professor who has been Rinpoche’s associate from a long time back; other eminent Indian professors associated with Rinpoche; the former Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament and alumnus, Mr Thupten Lungrik; the former Speaker and Member of Parliament and alumnus, Mr Pema Jungney; a great many alumni from India and abroad; the University lecturers, staff and students; the students and staff of the Teacher Training Institute, Bundar; Representatives of Gyuto Tantric Monastery from Dharamshala; and the Director and associates from Lha Institute for Social Work and Education based in Dharamshala.
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