Dharamsala : On 12th April at Zabsang Choekhorling Monastery, Chauntra, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile Khenpo Sonam Tenphel attended the ‘Thanksgiving program’ for its patron Mr. Terry Cheng, coinciding with his birthday.
Along with the Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, other imminent guests also included Ven. Rigo Tulku Rinpoche, Ven. Shartrul Rinpoche, Mr. Terry Cheng and his wife Mrs. Lucy, Mrs. Gyari Dolma, former Kalon of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Mrs. Juchen Kunchok Chodon, member of 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Mr. Tenzin Lungtok, Secretary, Department of Religion and Culture, CTA as well as representatives of different monasteries and Settlement Officers.
The program commenced with Ven. Shatrul Rinpoche’s welcome speech. wherein he thanked the patron of the monastery Mr. Terry Cheng and his wife Mrs. Lucy for their patronage and stated the necessity of support in whatever task is being undertaken as well as highlighting the significance of patronage in preservation and promotion of Buddhism dharma. He also shared anecdotes of Mr. Terry Cheng’s support and assistance towards the monastery within the 12 years of close association.
Thereafter, following the program’s schedule, Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel addressed the gathering by greeting them. He expressed his gratitude towards Ven. Shartrul Rinpoche for his tireless endeavor to uphold, sustain and promote Buddhism dharma. While explaining the difficulties of establishing monastery, Speaker applauded Ven. Shartrul Rinpoche for successfully establishing Zabsang Choekhoeling monastery, describing it as the outcome of fate and supplications. He also expressed his gratitude to Mr. Terry Cheng, who, despite being a retiree, rather than living a comfortable life of post-employment, still strives to work for the benefit of others as the patronage of Buddhism Dharma in general and Zabsang Choekhorling monastery in particular. He then requested the concerned authorities and the monks of the monastery to work together collectively.
Ven. Rigo Tulku Rinpoche and Mrs. Gyari Dolma, former Kalon of the Department of Home, CTA also addressed the program thereafter.
It was followed by the presentation of memento to Mr. Terry Cheng by Ven. Rigo Tulku Rinpoche and the Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel as token of their gratitude and indebtedness to the patron.
The program concluded with Ven. Lama Zopa delivering the vote of thanks, followed by cultural dance performance by the students of Tibetan Children Village (TCV), Suja and Sambhota Tibetan School (STS) school.
