KULLU: Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel oof the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and Kalon Karma Gelek Yuthok of Deparment of Religion and Culture, Central Tibetan Administration yesterday attended the inauguration ceremony of Pangang retreat Ngodup Choeling Monastic School at Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.
Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament in Exile and Speaker arrived in Kullu on 3 June where they were warmly received by the Khenpo of Pangang retreat, Tibetan settlement officer, Manali, Deputy speaker of Local Tibetan Assembly, President of Regional Tibetan Freedom Movement, President of Regional Tibetan Youth Congress and Reginal Tibetan Women’s Association, and representatives of various monasteries and institutions and monks, nuns and general public.
The chief guest, Kyabje Yangsi Jigme Tenzin Gyurmey Rinpoche graced the inauguration of the school followed by serving of sweet rice and tea to the guests. The main function began at Monastery ground where khenpo Samten Tsering, head of the Pangang retreat Monastery and its newly established school, gave welcome speech to the guests and general public gathered here. He briefly gave the background of the monastery and stated the aims of establishing monastic school as increasing the community of ordained Sangha in general and to contribute to the advancement of the teaching of Tibetan Buddhism in particular. He further emphasised creating opportunities for the people of Himalayas to study Tibetan Buddhism.
In his address, Kalon praised late Kyabje Thupten Odzer Rinpoche for dedicating his entire life for the preservation of Tibetan Buddhism in general and particularly his contribution towards the monastery, which was earlier a small retreat center during its inception and has now become a learning centre of Tibetan Buddhism. Kalon also paid his warm wishes for the success of Yangsi Rinpoche’s study in Buddhism and carrying the legacy of late Kyabje Khen Rinpoche.