16th March 2022 

Enthronement of His Holiness Gyana Vajra Rinpoche as the 43rd Sakya Trizin

In an elaborate 2-day ceremony held in Puruwala, Himachal Pradesh in India, His Holiness Gyana Vajra Rinpoche was enthroned as the 43rd Sakya Trizin, taking upon himself the responsibility of leading the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism over the upcoming 3 years. Rinpoche took on this charge from his elder brother Ratna Vajra Rinpoche, the 42nd Sakya Trizin.

The first day was dedicated to the religious aspect of the occasion. It was celebrated at Sakya Magon Shedra Thubten Namgyal Ling. There to celebrate this memorable event with the 43rd Sakya Trizin were His Holiness Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, His Eminence Luding Khenchen Rinpoche, the Dungseys from the Sakya Phuntsok Phodrang, a number of high Lamas, representatives of the Ganden Phodrang and of the Tibetan Government in exile, and representatives of the Puruwala settlement.

An elaborate Tenshug ceremony was held, in which numerous offerings were presented to His Holiness, including the Mendal Tensum, offered by His Eminence Luding Khen Rinpoche, current head of the Ngor branch of the Sakya School.

On the second day, the lay part of the ceremony took place in the Puruwala sports ground, and featured speeches by His Holiness Kyabgon Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, Their Holinesses the 42nd and the 43rd Sakya Trizin, and other dignitaries. The event was graced by the presence of Rajendra Arlekar, Honourable Governor of Himachal Pradesh, other distinguished guests, and numerous Dharma friends.

The ceremony featured vibrant cultural performances, which included an offering of “The Mani Song’ by His Holiness’ wife, Her Eminence Sonam Palkyi Sakya, along with their daughter Her Eminence Jetsunma Tsejin Lhamo Sakya, and members of Sakya Academy, Sakya Centre and Sakya Nunnery.

We wholeheartedly rejoice in the accession of Rinpoche to the Sakya Throne; we pray for his continued success throughout his tenure, and for his long life. May it be filled with auspiciousness.