Sakya Head’s 60th Birthday Celebrated
Dharamsala, 31 December: The 61st birthday (as per lunar calendar) of His Eminence Sakya Ghongma Rinpoche, the head of Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, was held yesterday at the Sakya Magon monastery in Rajpur, Uttranchal. The ceremony began with a long life prayer offering to His Eminence who turned 60 yesterday. 125 different orgnisations and His Eminence’s devotees all over the world made the offering.
Also present were religious heirs to the thrones of Sakya Dolma Phodrang and Phuntsok Phodrang. Many lamas of the various disciplines of Sakya tradition also attended the ceremony. Representative from the office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mr. Pema Jungney, Chairman of the Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies, Kalon Thupten Lunkrik, minister for departments of religion & culture and Education, attended the celebrations.
The prayer ceremony was followed by cultural performances which entertained around 1000 people who were present for the celebrations.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in a written message, had appreciated Sakya Ghongma Rinpoche for his dedicated service to humanity in general and the Tibetan people in particular. His Holiness had also prayed for the long life of Rinpoche.
Mr. Jungney and Kalon Lungrik also said that the Tibetan people will be ever grateful to Rinpoche for his commitment and dedication to Tibet’s cause and the protection of Dharma. |
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