82nd Birthday Anniversary Celebrations around the world
On 5 November 2021, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche’s 82nd Birthday Anniversary was celebrated, voluntarily, all over the world, by monastic institutions, organisations, community associations, etc.
Gyuto Tantric Monastery, Dharamshala convened a Tenshuk-Formal Request Ceremony, supplicating His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche to kindly continue to live long for the benefit of the Teachings and sentient beings. Based on Discourse System’s rituals, the monastery’s Honourable Abbot and Presiding Teacher (Lama Uzed) made the formal supplication to His Eminence Rinpoche to kindly continue to live long. On the occasion, Gyuto Library formally launched the Ninth Volume of His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche’s Important Speeches, Discourses and Writings (Edited by Dr Tenzin Dhonyoe)—see the separate report.
The Alumni Association of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, celebrated the day with 1) release of fish, 2) feeding the poor, 3) providing new rickshaws to ten poor families in the area, as the source of income for them, 4) expert-panel discussion on His Eminence’s Life and Legacies, and so on.
Lha Institute of Social Work and Education (Lha Charitable Trust) celebrated His Eminence’s Birthday Anniversary with various programmes and co-hosting, along with others in Canada, of the virtual panel discussion on His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche’s Life and Legacies.
The public of Ladakh celebrated the day with a Gratitude Conference, in the capital Leh, participated by eminent dignitaries and representatives of numerous monasteries, education institutions, etc.
In Mon, Arunachal Pradesh, the day was celebrated with major public programmes at Gadhen Gontse Rabgyeling Monastery, Bomdila, and at Balika Girls’ School. In honour of His Eminence Rinpoche, the monastery also provided monetary grants to the poor and needy.
Nechung Monastery, Dharamshala; Zongkar Choede Monastery, Gurupura; Tsawa Khangtsen, Drepung Loseling Monastery, Mundgod; Sera Je Secondary School, Bylakuppe, celebrated the day with congregation recitals, dignitaries’ addresses on His Eminence Rinpoche’s Life and Legacies. Birthday Anniversary Greetings were offered by Nechung Monastery, Gyudme Monastery, Gaden, Sera, Drepung Monastery and many other Institutions.
Community celebrations were convened at Kollegal Dhondhenling Settlement; G Camp, Dhondhenling; , Bylakuppe, (organised by the local Alumni Association of CIHTS, Bylakuppe Chapter); Tibetan Paeton School, Dharamshala.
Celebrations took place also in Nepal and Bhutan.
In Canada, the Alumni members (through Dr Tashi Topgyal), along with Mr Ngawang Rabgyal (former Director, Lha Institute), organised a virtual panel discussion on the Life and Legacies of His Eminence Rinpoche.
In the United States, the Tibetan community of Minnesota, New York & New Jersey (organised by the local branch of The Middle Way Association) and various other areas celebrated the day with numerous programmes, including cultural singing and dance.
In Australia, Belgium, France and Switzerland, the Tibetans celebrated His Eminence’s 82nd Birthday Anniversary with public programmes and community get-together.
