Tezu : Speaker Ven. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel attended the auspicious inauguration ceremony of Lhagon Choeling Monasery and the enthronement ceremony of H. E. Lhadrang Chogtrul Pema Thinley Dodhul Rinpoche at Dhargeyling Tibetan Settlement, Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh from Dec 24 to 26.

The joyous occasion was also attended by H.E. Gyangkhang Rinpoche, Chairman of Namdrolling Monastery, H.E. Lhadrang Chogtrul Ripoche, H.E. Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche and the state’s Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Home Minister Kumari Waii, Art and Culture Minister Mohesh Chai, State BJP President Tapir Gao, Health Parliamentary Secretary Phurpa Tsering, RWD Parliamentary Secretary Jambey Tashi along with hundreds of local Tibetans.

On Nov 24, the first day of the ceremony saw its Chief Guest H.E. Gyangkhang Rinpoche and Special Guest Speaker Ven. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel joining together for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by lamp-lightening and scarf offering ceremony, thereafter, paving way for the enthronement ceremony of H. E. Lhadrang Chogtrul Pema Thinley Dodhul Rinpoche. After the completion of the ceremony, Black Hat ritual dance (Shanak Garcham) along with libation offering and cultural performance occupied the later part of that day.

On Nov 25, with the recitation of Vidyadhara and Guhayasama Tantra, the monastery conducted the religious ceremony to offer their tribute and gratitude to H.E. Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche and thereafter, the Dance of the Eight Manifestation of Guru Rinpoche (Guru Tsen Gye Cham) was performed.

On Nov 26, with the arrival of the state’s Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the religious functions of inaugurating the shrines of Amitābha—the Buddha of Infinite Light and Tara (Jetsun Dolma) as well as lamp lighting ceremony at the new monastery was carried out.

Mr. Dhondup Sangpo, the Tibetan settlement officer of Dhargeyling Tibetan settlement, Tezu welcomed all the imminent guests and the local Tibetans to the auspicious function. H. E. Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche extended his gratitude to the CM Pema Khadu and his ministerial colleagues, Speaker Ven. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel as well as other guests and offered them mementos as a token of his gratitude. Lama Lobsang Paljor and Dr. Pema Tsetso then read out the program for the day. Thereafter, Speaker Ven. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel addressed the gathering.

‘I offer my sincere congratulation on the successful completion of Lhagon Jangchup Choeling Monastery. It is through the years of H.E. Dzogchen Ganor
Rinpoche’s vision, guidance and prayers that made possible the construction of this new monastery. I would like to convey my gratitude to the magnanimous sponsors and supporters of the Monastery and I am especially humbled to be in the presence of the state’s ministers including C.M. Pema Khandu.’ said the Speaker.

He further said “Late Shri Dorjee Khando, who was a staunch devotee of our Unsurpassable leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama, had always held the Tibetan people dear to his heart. I would like to thank C.M. Khando, who is following the foot steps of his late father, for facilitating to the needs of Tibetans settled in the state.”

‘Tibetans should preserve and promote the religion, culture and language endowed to us by our parents and follow the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Central Tibetan Administration. If we practice our unique custom of courteousness and virtuousness with compassion as its principal, we would not only help our own community but also other communities by large.”

He concluded his speech on a hopeful note saying, “Never lose your hope in our common struggle, for one day all of us will be back together  in Tibet.”

The function was later followed by speech from Art and Culture Minister Mohesh Chai and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein.

Chief Minister Pema Khando expressed his appreciation to H.E. Dzogchen Ganor Rinpoche for his vision and guidance on the successful completion of construction of the new monastery at Tezu. He also conveyed his steadfast support in rendering necessary assistance to the Tibetans in the state in future as well.

The program concluded with the Chairman of Local Tibetan Assembly Chemi Tsering acknowledging the presence of all the imminent guests and personnel as well as the local Tibetans.

Later that evening, everyone reveled in the auspicious masked dance (Cham) accompanied by lively cymbals and the cultural dances by the local Tibetans, thereby, concluding the joyous 3-days historical occasion.