Dharamshala: On 6 November 2026, the official Enthronement Ceremony of the 44th Sakya Trizin, Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche, was held at Pal Sakya Thekchen Phuntsok Ling in Jaigaon, located along the India-Bhutan border. The ceremony was presided over by Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen Dorje Chang Chenpo.

The ceremony was attended by the 42nd Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche and the 43rd Sakya Trizin Gyana Vajra Rinpoche; Khondung members from both Phodrangs; high lamas; Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile; Kalon Chukya Dranyi Tsegyal of the Department of Religion and Culture; Chair Karma Yeshi of the Public Service Commission; the Prince of Sikkim; Parliamentarians Tenpa Yarphel, Geshe Lharampa Atuk Tseten, Lopon Thubten Gyaltsen, and Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen; Parliamentarians Khenpo Kada Ngedup Sonam and Ngawang Lodoe Drawu; Secretary Lobsang Jinpa of the Gaden Phodrang; Gyalyum Chenmo and Dagmos; Jetsunmas; Khenpos and Tulkus; other distinguished guests; and the devoted monastic and lay public.

During the ceremony, the 43rd Sakya Trizin conferred the official Sakya Trizin Seal upon the 44th Sakya Trizin.

Following this, a message from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was read by Gaden Phodrang Secretary Lobsang Jinpa. The gathering then received gracious advice from Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen. Deputy Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel delivered an address on behalf of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, while Kalon Chukya Dranyi Tsegyal of the Department of Religion and Culture read out a message from the Kashag.

Addresses were also delivered by the 43rd Sakya Trizin and the 44th Sakya Trizin. Messages from the Governor of West Bengal and the Chief Minister were read out. Khondung Manju Vajra Rinpoche delivered a speech, while Gyalyum Jamyang Palmo gave an address via visual presentation.

Delivering the statement of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), the Deputy Speaker extended heartfelt greetings and auspicious wishes on behalf of the Parliament on the formal enthronement of the 44th Sakya Trizin, Khondung Avikriti Vajra Rinpoche.

The TPiE statement paid tribute to Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen and the Khon lineage for their longstanding contributions to preserving, safeguarding and disseminating the Buddha’s teachings, particularly the rich spiritual heritage of the Sakya tradition.

The statement highlighted the Sakya lineage’s historic contributions to Tibet’s religious and political history, as well as its continued efforts to preserve Tibetan Buddhist traditions through monasteries, Dharma centres, and the promotion of scriptural study and practice in exile.

The statement also acknowledged the Sakya tradition’s rotational succession system for the Sakya Trizin, established in 2014, as a significant milestone in ensuring the continuity of its spiritual leadership.

Extending his sincere congratulations to the 44th Sakya Trizin, the Deputy Speaker prayed for his long life and the successful fulfilment of his responsibilities in upholding the Buddha’s teachings and serving the Tibetan people and all sentient beings.

The statement concluded with prayers for the long lives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen, the fulfilment of their noble aspirations, and the swift resolution of the Sino-Tibetan conflict and reunification of Tibetans inside and outside Tibet.