At the consecration and inauguration of the newly built Dukhang, the prayer hall of Thubchog Gatsel Ling monastery, by His Holiness, the 104th Gaden Tripa—the throne holder of Gaden Monastery of the Gelug sect, Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Palzangpo—from Gaden Monastery in Mundgod, Karnataka, here on Monday, Chief Minister Pema Khandu stated, “It is our responsibility to maintain and continue this relationship, which is centuries old.” The Chief Minister went on to say, “Monasteries are very important; in order to learn more about the faith, we need to master the Bhoti script. Buddhism from the Nalanda school is significant because it spread to Tibet and then to Arunachal Pradesh.
In his speech, Sikyong Penpa Tsering said, “Align your thoughts with the teachings of Buddha and use the monastery as a center of learning.” Tibet has seen a string of tragedies since losing our nation in 1959, including natural and man-made disasters. This was particularly true during the Cultural Revolution, which lasted from 1966 to 1976 and resulted in the destruction of 6,000 monasteries throughout China and Tibet.
The Sikyong also conveyed the expectation that the new monastery would guarantee religious continuity and spread spiritual knowledge among the local populace. His holiness “The consecration and inauguration have been completed; now what remains is to improve and continue the teachings of Buddha,” stated Jetsun Lobsang Tenzin Palzangpo in his speech. From now on, teaching and putting Buddha’s teachings into practice will be the primary objective.
