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Speaker of the Tibetan People’s Assembly attended the 82nd birthday celebration of former Chief Kalun Sang Dung Rinpoche
Tibet News Agency reporter, November 8, 2021
On November 5, the Dharamsala, India-Tibet Friendship Association, Ü-Tibet Association, Domai Association, Global Tibetan Middle Way Movement, and Tibetan Women’s Association jointly held the 82nd birthday celebration of Lobsang Tenzing by the former chief of the Tibetan Administration Central Committee, Kalun Sang Dong Rinpoche, in Daramsala.
Khenpo Solangdampei, Speaker of the Tibetan People’s Assembly; Vijay Singh Mankotia, former Minister of Tourism of Himachal Pradesh; Gudan of Naichung Monastery; representatives of Tibetan People’s Parliament members and NGOs were invited to attend the celebration.
Speaker Khenpo Solang Dampei said in his speech at the celebration: “Since early 1961, Sangtong Rinpoche has served our exiled Tibetan community, successively serving as a teacher and president at the Central Institute of Tibetan Studies in Varanasi, India. Especially under the leadership of Sangtong Rinpoche, the Central Institute of Tibetan Studies developed into a renowned university in India, making an indisputable contribution to its development. Graduates of the institute hold many important positions in society and make significant contributions to the Tibetan exile community, all thanks to the kindness and dedication of Tsangdong Rinpoche. In this regard, we must always remember the tremendous contributions Samdong Rinpoche made in the fields of Tibetan culture, language, and religion, which will benefit contemporary Tibetan society and future generations. On this occasion, I would like to call on Tibetan people to actively learn from the knowledge imparted by Rinpoche, and to further protect and promote it.
The Speaker further pointed out: “Sangtung Rinpoche has also made tremendous contributions in the political sphere of the Tibetan community in exile, especially during the most difficult times for our generation of Tibetans. Starting in 1970, Rinpoche served as chairman of the Tibetan Youth Assembly, later as Secretary-General of the Ministry of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration and as a member of the drafting committee for the Tibetan Charter in Exile. From 1991 to 2001, he served twice as President of the Tibetan People’s Congress (now known as the Tibetan People’s Assembly), and from 2001 to 2011, as Chief Minister of the Central Tibetan Administration for two terms (now known as Si Zheng). During his tenure as speaker, the parliament enacted numerous laws, regulations, and ordinances, transforming Tibet’s political system into a democratic and rule-of-law system. At the same time, Rinpoche was a believer in truth, nonviolence, and democracy, and he strengthened the administrative capacity of the Tibetan administrative center, making it a stable and efficient administrative system. Rinpoche always said that democracy is both a right and a responsibility, especially during the most difficult times, when exercising rights should be prioritized for fulfilling responsibilities. Therefore, whenever our society encounters any problems, we must always remember Rinpoche’s beliefs and work together to solve Tibetan problems and foster unity among Tibetans. Moreover, Samdon Rinpoche followed the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, benefiting not only Tibetan society but also other societies in education, politics, democracy, and other areas.
Speaker Khenpo Solang Dampei also emphasized the worsening human rights situation within Tibet and called on Tibetans to follow the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Sangtong Rinpoche, and other Tibetan leaders to make collective efforts to resolve the Tibetan issue. At the same time, the Speaker extended his 93rd birthday wishes to Mr. Kalodun Djun, the elder brother of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
TheChairman and chief guest of the India-Tibet Friendship Association, former Himachal Pradesh Tourism Minister Vijay Singh Mankotya, also delivered speeches at the celebration, wishing Sangtong Rinpoche his 82nd birthday. Subsequently, the Vice Chairman of the Domai Association delivered a speech of thanks.
Source: Tibetan People’s Council