Celebration of the 75th Birthday of His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche
On November 5, 2014, the 75th Birthday of His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche was extensively celebrated, at Central University of Tibetan Studies (CUTS), Sarnath, Varanasi. The event was organised by CUTS alumni.
At 07:30am, Incense Offering took place at the Kalachakra Temple grounds of CUTS.
At 10:00am, His Eminence Kyabjey Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a commentarial teaching on the text The Eight-Verse Thought Training, to a congregation of over a thousand ordained and lay attendees, comprising of the University’s alumni, the staff and present students.
At 03:00pm, the formal celebration and felicitation ceremony took place in the University’s Atisha Hall. With His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche as the main Presence, those who attended the event were the University’s Vice-Chancellor Ven. Prof. Geshe Ngawang Samten, the renowned Indian Professors who have been Rinpoche’s associate friends from a long time back—Prof. Krishnanath and others; the former Cabinet Minister, Member of Parliament, and alumnus, Mr. Thupten Lungrik; the former Speaker of the Parliament, Member of Parliament, and alumnus, Mr. Pema Jungney; a great many alumni from India and abroad; the Lecturers, Staff and students of the University; the students and staff of Teacher Training Institute Bundar; Representatives of Gyuto Tantric Monastery, who have specifically come for the occasion, from Dharamshala; the Director and associates from Lha Institute for Social Work and Education. Over two thousand people attended the ceremony.
The ceremony commenced with His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche lighting an Offering Lamp, followed by the Honourable Former Minister Mr. Thupten Lungrik reading the Message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, which contains the lines: “Since we arrived in exile, seeing the importance of education to our youths, as I instructed, Rinpoche shouldered the responsibility courageously and whole-heartedly, in the various sections of education establishment, as mentioned in the Felicitation Volume. Similarly, in order to upgrade the Democratic system of our society as per the need of the time, I appointed Rinpoche a member of the 11th Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies (ATPD) and, subsequently, from then onwards, for two consecutive terms. During the tenure, in order to govern by law, Rinpoche made a standard charter, through formulation and enactment of many constitutional laws.
After that, 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].”
After that, the renowned adepts, the guests for the occasion, spoke at length, detailing the marvellous excellent virtues of His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche: Unequalled mental intelligence and exalted dedication, simplicity (of little wants) and contentment, one who works with a great dedication, forbearing hardships; a great Vinaya practitioner, who observes the ethical practices similar to the manner how a person would guard one’s precious eyes; a greatly efficient Administrator; one who bases all his thoughts and deeds based entirely on truth and justice.
There then followed the launching of the 64-pages Felicitation Volume, which contains the Prayers requesting His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche to kindly live long; pictorial history of the University, as brought to its grandeur by the vision and monumental works of His Eminence Rinpoche; and profiles of the alumni.
Mr. Pema Jungey, the Honourable Former Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, read the Felicitation Preamble from all alumni. Dr Penpa Dorje, a member of the Felicitation Organising Committee, read the Verses of Praise sent by scholars from inside Tibet. These were followed by the Representatives of Gyuto Tantric Monastery offering the Three Represents (of Enlightened Body, Speech and Mind), in the form of a Thangka, a Text and Stupa. The Representative of Speaking Tibetan Purely Association offered a Thankga of the Three Deities of Longevity. The ceremony concluded with a Thanks-giving speech by Prof. Jampa Samten, from the Felicitation Organising Committee.
At 06:30pm, Ven. Prof. Geshe Ngawang Samten, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, launched (1) the Felicitation Volume in Gratitude to His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche, published by Lha Charitable Trust, Institute for Social Work and Education, and (2) the website (in Tibetan and English) on His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpcohe www.samdhongrinpoche.com, published by the Lha Charitable Trust, Institute for Social Work and Education.
There then followed a cultural show programme, with dances and songs of Tibet, Ladakh, India, Bhutan and Nepal, performed by alumni and present students and staff of the University.
(Several disciples of Rinpoche had at early morning at 05:00am, gone to the river Ganga, and set free fish and gave alms to the poor, the merits of which were dedicated for the long life of His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche.)