His Holiness Je Khenpo Trulku Jigme Choeda became the 70th Je Khenpo on this day 25 years ago. Observing the Silver Jubilee celebration at the Namdruling Goenzin Dratshang in Autsho, Lhuentse, His Holiness launched two biographies published by the Central Monastic Body and Namdruling Goenzin Dratshang this morning. Gyalsey Trulku Jigme Tenzin Wangpo also attended the event.
His Holiness graced the silver jubilee celebration by offering butter lamps and prayers. His Holiness also launched two books to mark the day. A book titled 25 Years On The Vajra Throne: The Noble Activities of His Holiness the 70th Je Khenpo published by Namdruling Goenzin Dratshang highlights some of the major initiatives taken by His Holiness during his 25 years of service to the nation as the Je Khenpo. The other book, Drukgi Tenpai Zaygyen published by the Zhung Dratshang highlights His Holiness the Je Khenpo’spersonal details and also some of the major activities undertaken by the Je Khenpo.
Gyalsey Trulku Jigme Tenzin Wangpo who also attended the event expressed gratitude to His Holiness the Je Khenpo for his selfless 25 years of service to the nation. Gyalsey Trulku said His Holiness steered the nation to peace by performing kurims during the COVID-19 pandemic and also during the 2003 military operation.
To commemorate the day, a group of people from Haa and Paro offered statues of Tārā and Amitayus (the Buddha of Eternal Life) and other religious items.
“I am so blessed to get such an opportunity. We the group of Sangay Menlha Tshogpa from Paro came here to pay tribute to His Holiness the Je Khenpo on this silver jubilee celebration on behalf of the public. A Je Khenpo like him was never born before, and I doubt if such Je Khenpo would be born again. But we pray for such Je Khenpo to be born again,” said Tshering Dorji, the Dopshar-ri Gup from Paro.
“His Holiness the Je Khenpo is so grateful to the public of Haa since both first Moenlam Chhenmo and thri was first introduced from Haa Dzongkhag. Coinciding with the silver jubilee celebration, we the community of Haa came here to commemorate the day by offering 25 number of Tshepamey statues, Tshedor, Namgyel Chorten and Sungbum,” said Chen Chen Dorji, from Haa.
The community of Autsho and Lhuentse will observe the celebration tomorrow with some cultural programme at Namdruling.
Meanwhile, the three-day Monelam Chhenmo presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo to contain the pandemic also concluded today.
His Holiness the Je Khenpo was born to Yab Rigzin Dorje and Yum Kunzang Choden on 22nd August 1955 at Kurmed Drubtse Goenpa, located at the foothills of Phuningla under Tsaenkhar Gewog in Lhuentse
Sonam Tshering, Lhuentse
