Dharamshala: The 700th anniversary commemorative event honouring Lhodrak Drupchen Namkha Gyaltsen was held on 1 July 2026 at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA).

The event was graced by revered lamas and tulkus, including Kyabje Samdhong Rinpoche, Kyabje Tokden Rinpoche, Lelung Rinpoche, and others. It was also attended by leaders of the Central Tibetan Administration’s three pillars of democracy and autonomous bodies, including Chief Justice Commissioner Yeshi Wangmo, Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, and others.

Addressing the esteemed gathering, Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang expressed her deep appreciation and commended the remarkable efforts to uphold and preserve the precious teachings of Lhodrak Drupchen Namkha Gyaltsen. She described these teachings as “a gift of the Tibetan people to the world” and encouraged practitioners to continue applying their timeless wisdom in daily life, emphasizing their enduring relevance even today.

She further stated that the truest way to express gratitude to and honor Drupchen Namkha Gyaltsen is by upholding the authentic essence of the Dharma through one’s body, speech, and mind, and by sincerely putting its teachings into practice.

As the so-called new legislation titled “Law of the People’s Republic of China on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress,”adopted by National People’s Congress of China becomes effective from 1 July 2026, the Speaker reiterated her serious concern of this legislation which destroy the Tibetan language, culture, and religion.

On behalf of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, she also extended her gratitude to Tibetan religious leaders along with monasteries and nunneries who continue to promote and preserve the doctoral studies of Tibetan Buddhism across the world as monasteries and nunneries inside of Tibet are unable to do so under the PRC’s of occupation. She also appealed Tibetans in the free world to protect their distinct language and cultural heritage.

Members of the Standing Committee of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, namely Juchen Kunchok Chodon, Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten, Lopon Thubten Gyaltsen, Lobsang Thupten Pontsang, and Gyaltsen Choekyi Gagya, as well as parliamentarians Dawa Tsering, Khenpo Kada Ngedup Sonam, Geshe Lharampa Gowo Lobsang Phende, Yeshi Dolma, Wangdue Dorjee, and Lhamo Tsering Kongtsa were present at the event.