Buddhist body felicitates first Indian head of Tibetan sect

The Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association on Thursday felicitated the spiritual head of Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism on his becoming the first Indian national to attain this high position.

The Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association (HBCA) on Thursday felicitated the spiritual head of Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism on his becoming the first Indian national to attain this high position.

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Rizong Sras Trul Rinpoche (82), born in 1927 in the royal family of Ladakh, was appointed the spiritual head of Gelugpa sect by the Dalai Lama in October this year.

Representatives of various states and regions having Buddhist population, including Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh, Darjeeling and Kalimpong regions felicitated the religious head on his being enthroned to the seat of Gaden Tri (golden throne).

HBCA north zone chairman Lochen Tulku Rinpoche said this was a lifetime achievement for an Indian and only a fortunate one can reach this highest position.

Department of Environment Studies, Government of India, and HBCA east zone chairman Tsona Gontse Rinpoche said the people of Himalayan region are proud of the spiritual head whose religious teachings take inspiration from Nalanda, one of the places in India related to Buddhist philosophy.

Union Minister of Steel Vir Bhadra Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Tarlochan Singh, representative of the Dalai Lama, Tempa Tsering, and members of the Tibetan government-in-exile were also present on the occasion.

Earlier, a souvenir, highlighting the achievements of the 82-year-old religious head and the Gelugpa sect, was also released on the occasion.