SIKKIM OBSERVER OCT 24, 2011
Sakya Trizin, CM at Ngor Gompa’s 50th anniversary
Gangtok, Oct 23: His Holiness the Sakya Trizin and Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, along with Sikkim Legislative Assembly Speaker KT Gyaltsen, were among those who participated in the 50th anniversary celebrations of Ngor Gompa here last Wednesday.
While His Holiness called on the people to preserve Sikkim’s distinct cultural heritage, the Chief Minister said his government was doing all it can to preserve and promote the “cultural and natural heritage” of the State.
In his address, the Sakya Trizin appreciated the State Government’s role in providing good governance while maintaining peace and harmony in the State.
The Sakya Trizin and Chief Minister jointly unveiled the plaque of the monastery’s proposed Buddhist centre for higher learning.
The Sakya Trizin also released the Golden Jubilee Souvenir of Ngor Gompa during the function. He and His Eminence Luding Dorji Chang and the lamas performed a special prayer for the earthquake victims on the occasion.
Bhutia-Lepchas call on Sakya Trizin to urge Chamling to scrap power projects
Gangtok, Oct 23: The minority Bhutia-Lepcha tribals have asked His Holiness the Sakya Trizin to urge the State Government to scrap all “anti-Buddhist” hydropower projects in West Sikkim, in order to preserve Sikkim’s rich cultural heritage.
While welcoming the Sakya Trizin to the State and also performing jensek (fire puja) for victims of the recent earthquake, a general meeting of the Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) held here last week passed several resolutions calling on the Head of the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism to convince the State Government to scrap three power projects – located at Lethang, Tin-Ting and Tashiding – located in West Sikkim.
“It might be reiterated here that despite several representations by the minority
Bhutia-Lepcha as well as Buddhist organizations calling for the immediate scrapping of this anti-Buddhist Projects over our sacred Rathongchu River, the adamant Government of Sikkim is simply unyielding,” said a press release by SIBLAC Convenor and former minister Tseten Tashi Bhutia.
“Development is very vital and necessary for the all-round
development of the people and the nation, however, the same
development cannot be allowed or afforded at the very cost of our
religion and lineage and above all, its sanctity,” the resolution said.
Bhutia said the minority community looks “towards His Holiness the Sakya
Trichen Rinpoche to uphold and preserve the same Sikkimese lineage and
its sanctity at the moment when the same is facing imminent threat
given the adamant attitude of ignorant people.”
The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation (NASBO) President Sonam Kaleon has also urged His Holiness to impress on the State Government to scrap the above power projects.
In a letter to the Sakya Trizin, NASBO President has “…we the Buddhist people of Sikkim sincerely pray His Holiness, the Sakya Trichen to kindly enlighten the Government of Sikkim on the significance of the Denjong Neyig and the necessity to preserve the sacredness of the Rathongchu at all cost. We request Holiness to kindly enlighten the Sikkim Government to immediately scrap all the three HEP slated on sacred Rathongchu in West Sikkim, thereby preserving the Buddha dharma, its ethos, tradition and sanctity.”
“Most of the cliffs, streams, trees, rocks, hills, etc in the West Sikkim is proclaimed either as the local deities or their abodes in the Denjong Neyig (guidebook to the sacred locations of Bayul Dremo Dzong as received as Terma by Lhatsun Namkha Jigme in the 16th century). River Rathongchu forms one of the most significant rivers amongst such locations.River Rathongchu is the source to the annual Tashiding Bumchu ceremony since centuries,” the letter said.
“There was a proposal to develop mega Hydro-power project over this sacred Rathongchu in 1990s. However, given the significant and sanctity of the river in Sikkimese Buddhist religion and its tradition, vis-à-vis the annual Tashiding Bumchu, the proposed Rathongchu Hydro-electric project was scrapped in 1997 by the present Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling.”
Kaleon said the Centre had objected to the Lethang project while the Home Ministry constituted a committee to look into the religious aspects of the two other projects in Ting-Ting and Tashiding.
Referring to the devastating effects of the recent earthquake, Bhutia said hydropower projects in the State “will fundamentally transform the landscape, ecology and economy of the region and will have far-reaching impacts on the rich bio-diversity of the State.”
He added, “Submergence of lands, homes, fields and forests on a large scale will displace hundreds of people. Damming and diversion of rivers will severely disrupt the downstream flows, impacting agriculture and fisheries and threatening livelihoods of entire populations. Degradation of the natural surroundings and a massive influx of migrant workers will have grave implications for the culture and identity of distinct Sikkimese people, who are protected under Article 371F of the Constitution.”
SNPP demands “White Paper” on Sikkim quake
“Centre should take up disbursement of relief funds till CBI clears Chamling’s name in graft case”
Gangtok, Oct 23: Not content with the way the State Government has handled the affairs of the State after 6.9 magnitude rocked the tiny Himalyan State on September 18 last month, the Sikkim National People’s Party (SNPP) has demanded a ‘White Paper’ on the subject.
The party wants the State Government to “make it clear to the people that they were aware of the high seismic activity” in the State when it signed MoUs with a number of private power project parties. The SNPP also wants to know whether the companies undertaking hydropower projects in the State were “experienced and were competent to work in a terrain like Sikkim.”
The SNPP has also demanded the Centre to immediately “constitute a committee of experts from outside Sikkim who would determine if these mega power projects did in any way aggravate the destruction caused by the earthquake and whether the allegations of financial impropriety pointed out by the CAG caused the overlooking of crucial measure to overcome obstacles like seismic activity,” the resolution passed during a party meeting said.
Alleging that “massive corruption” has resulted in the death of many people during the quake, SNPP President Biraj Adhikari said the Centre should take up disbursement of relief funds and materials till the CBI clears its graft cases against Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.
“The people do not have to be reminded that these power projects have turned out to be the fountainhead of the massive corruption plaguing Sikkim, and it is to our shame that the CBI has booked a case against the Chief Minister who has misused every democratic institution in the state to stall the investigation by using the protections of Article 371F,” a party release said.
It went on to say that “most of these power projects have been awarded in complete violation of the provisions of the article for personal gain.”
It added that “institutionalized corruption” led to “innocent Sikkimese losing their lives” during the devastating quake last month. “The party strongly believes that a decade of blasting and tunneling has also contributed to the death toll in a significant way and condemns the fact that the Chief Minister is trying to brush these facts under the carpet,” Adhikari said.
Editorial
PRESERVE SIKKIM
Sakya Trizin Approached on Hydel Projects
The indigenous Bhutia-Lepcha tribals of Sikkim have approached His Holiness the Sakya Trizin to impress on the Chamling Government to scrap three major hydropower projects in West Sikkim on the ground that if these projects are implemented they would lead to the destruction of Sikkim’s sacred socio-cultural heritage which has been preserved down the ages. Since the State Government seems hell-bent on going ahead with mega hydel projects in the State despite warning bells from various quarters, including the massive earthquake last month that rocked Sikkim, it is but natural for the minority Bhutia-Lepcha communities to seek the help of Sakya Trizin, whose ancestors share historical connection with Sikkim and its Namgyal Dynasty right from the 13th century. In his address during the 50th anniversary celebrations of Ngor Gompa last week His Holiness expressed the need to preserve Sikkim’s cultural and natural heritage.
On October 19, exactly a month after the devastating earthquake, the Sakya Trizin in his address at Ngor Gompa, where Chief Minister Pawan Chamling was also present said, “Sikkim has a very special place in Tibetan Buddhism. That Sikkim is no more ruled by the Chogyals, who were looked upon as Dharmaraj, should not change the people’s love and concern for Sikkim and its people. Changes in the political system of a place should not affect the people’s faith in themselves and for their homeland. Each generation of Sikkimese must and should continue to preserve the rich and unique cultural heritage of this place.” He added, “While we cannot avert natural disasters caused by earthquakes we also have a duty to preserve our ecology and natural environment to ensure that we minimize damages and destructions caused by such calamities.”
His Holiness the Dalai Lama, too, said much the same thing during his visit to Sikkim last year. “There are different religions in Sikkim. But as a whole the State has Buddhist community with many monasteries. One important aspect of the Sikkimese identity is the Buddhist culture. Therefore, it is very important to preserve it,” the Dalai Lama said during a talk in Gangtok last December. It is now up to the political leadership at the Centre and the State to respond positively to the aspirations of the people and their dharma masters. Failing to do so would lead to the gradual disintegration and destruction of Sikkim’s distinct cultural identity.
RIGHT TO RECALL
Constitutional Amendment Needed
Chief Election Commissioner SY Quaraishi needs to take a second look at Anna Hazare’s proposal for inclusion of “right to reject” and “right to recall” clauses in election rules. Quaraishi’s outright rejection of the proposal on the ground that it would destabilize the political process is completely unacceptable. The CEC's views are shared by several other experts, who see the proposal as unworkable in a multi-party democracy. Their view is that the right to reject will lead to frequent elections that the country cannot afford.
India may boast of being the world’s “largest democracy” but the ordinary citizens know fully well how the country’s ‘political process’ actually works. In theory, the political system appears to cater to the general people but in practice it serves the interest of the establishment. In the name of parliamentary democracy our elected representatives often betray the promises made to the people and go about as if they are above the people and the law. Very few politicians and political parties get absolute mandate to rule and at times they come to power through devious means. In a democracy people are the ultimate source of power and if they choose to act against their elected representatives and exercise their right to reject and recall no one dare question them. The Congress party has done the right thing to call an all-party meeting on the subject to elicit their views. In a democracy people are sovereign. Their elected representatives ought to listen to their voice and make the electoral process stronger through a constitutional amendment at the earliest.
Tibet PM at Darj school function
Lobsang Sangay grateful to CST
Darjeeling, Oct 23: Gracing the golden jubilee celebration of Central School for Tibetans at Darjeeling as the special guest, Tibetan exiled Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay said he hope to see more professionals coming out of this school in the future.
Addressing the landmark occasion, Sangay expressed his gratitude to the school and said his childhood was spent here and that he received his basic education in this school.
Moreover, as per the Central Tibetan Administration's policy of unity, innovation and self reliance, he asserted that the administration will give its wholehearted efforts for the return of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Myanmar keen to reopen Stilwell Road
New Delhi, Oct 23: The likely reopening of the historic Stilwell Road, which connects India with China through Burma, was discussed during a meeting between the Minister of Border Affairs of Myanmar, Lt General Thien Htay, and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Paban Singh Ghatowar, here last week.
The Myanmar Government has shown keen interest in reopening this road, suggesting additional construction of a 130 Km road linking Pancha and Khamti connecting the historic Stilwell Road.
“We have told them that Government of India would consider the proposal after it is formally submitted,” the Minister DoNER said.
Ghatowar said they have stressed on enhancing people to people contact, development of border areas and trade. “We have also suggested that sports activities between the region and Myanmar should be increased,” he said.
The 1,739 km Stilwell road starts in Assam and links Kunming in Yunnan Province of South China through Pangsau Pass on India-Myanmar border.
Earlier, the Myanmar Government was not keen on opening this road as it was concerned with the threat from its own rebels in Kachin region in northern Burma. India and Myanmar has also decided to strengthen the cooperation and coordination between the security forces of the two countries to collaboratively tackle insurgency, smuggling and drug trafficking. As such, the border management mechanism would also be strengthened and a meeting of the heads of Survey Department of both countries is being scheduled in November.
This was agreed during the high level visit of President of Myanmar U Thein Sein to India along with a 67-member delegation. U Thein Sein had a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. This was followed by a high level delegation talk in which 13 senior ministers of Myanmar took part. (also see article on Stilwell Road on page 2)
Tibet was never part of China: RSS
Dharamshala, Oct 23: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar has said that Tibet was never a part of China and the Indian government should reconsider its decision and review its policies concerning Tibet.
Kumar told the media here that after taking over Tibet, China had also grabbed the Himalayan region. Kumar said that Tibet must be looked as a distinct country and not as a part and parcel of China, ANI reported.
He said: "We appeal to Tibet to take a decision if it wants independence or not. Tibet has to decide on that, but we support them".
He added: "If Tibet was a part of China, then the entire world knows the place by the country's name and not a region. If someone is from Himachal, Uttarakhand or any other place like Manipur, Nagaland or Kerala, then no one says he is from Kerala, but they say he is from India. ".
China has ruled Tibet with an iron fist since Communist troops marched into Tibet in 1950. It claims its rule has bought much needed development to a poor and backward region.
An estimated 80,000 Tibetans along with their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, had arrived in India in 1959 after an unsuccessful uprising against the Chinese rule.
Govt urged to reconstruct Sikkim’s first monastery in Yuksam
Gangtok, Oct 23: Dubdi gompa, the former Himalayan kingdom’s first monastery, needs to be reconstructed after it was damaged in last month’s earthquake that rocked Sikkim.
The Duchi Committee of the monastery has urged the State Government to immediately undertake reconstruction of the ancient monastery on the same spot “with RCC structure” and with “modern technical skills” to neutralize “earthquake effect in future” keeping in view of the State being in an earthquake prone zone.
In its letter to West District Collector, the Duchi has asked for adequate measures for safeguard of the monastery’s various treasures. Presently, volunteers of Yuksam village are keeping a watch over the monastery.
“The September 18, 2011 earthquake has sustained major damages to the Monastery while the entire structure itself is in the verge of total collapse now. All the sacred and precious dharma treasures (Terma) of ancient times that uphold the Sikkimese dharma lineage and tradition is exposed open with every threat to theft or missing,” the letter said.
The monastery is located on a hilltop above Yuksam, West Sikkim. Yuksam was the first capital of Sikkim when Sikkim’s first Chogyal Phuntsog Namgyal was consecrated by three lamas in 1642.
Congress leaders’ ultimatum on ‘discrimination’ of cash distribution to quake victims
Gangtok, Oct 23: Senior Congress leader and former minister KN Upreti has threatened to take the matter to the Governor and Central leaders if the State Government continues to discriminate in the distribution of earthquake relief funds and materials.
Not content with issuing Press statements on the matter, Upreti and some Congress leaders have approached the East District Collector and urged him to “conduct re-survey and re-assessment of the damage” caused by the September 18th earthquake.
In their letter to the DC, Congress leaders said relief measures have to be taken in a fair manner so that the victims are not discriminated on grounds of political affiliation. They have pointed out that during their tour in certain parts of the State relief funds were being distributed by panchayat members belonging to the ruling party and no representatives of the State Government were present during the distribution.
The Congress leaders said if the authorities fail to follow concrete guidelines for cash distribution to earthquake victims they would have “no alternative but to take up the matter with HE the Governor and also the Central Government in the interest and for the justice of the victims of earthquake,” the letter signed by Upreti, Phuchung Bhutia, Arun Rai, Avinash Yakha, Laxuman Gurung and Nima Wangchuk Bhutia said.
Puja for quake victims at Lheuntse monastery in Mangalbarey
Mangalbarey (West Sikkim), Oct 23: A three day Shapten-Pooja was performed at Lheuntse Goompa at Mangalbarey, West Sikkim, last week.
Sponsored by the villagers and devotees, the shapten was performed by over 20 monks of the monastery to pray for the victims of last month’s earthquake, to appease the deities and the denjong soongmas (Sikkim’s guardian deities) and also to pray for non- occurrence of such severe seismic shocks in the future.
The Lheuntse Goompa, a branch of Pemiongchi Monastery, was established in 1850. The monastery, which was reconstructed 30 years ago, was spared severe damages.
NGOR GOMPA/50th Anniversary Celebrations
“The Sikkimese people must continue to preserve the rich and unique cultural heritage of Sikkim
His Holiness the Sakya Trizin, supreme head of the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, spoke at length on the need to preserve Sikkim’s rich natural and cultural heritage during the 50th anniversary celebrations of Sa-Ngor Chotsog Centre (Ngor Gompa) in Gangtok on October 19, 2011.Highlights of his address:
It was indeed 50 years ago that, in the wake of our flight from Tibet and the dissolution of the Buddha Dharma in our country, a fervent aspiration was formed that its seed might be sown in the blessed land of Sikkim Sikkim
Luding Khenchen
Among all those who contributed to the growth of the Sa-Ngor Chotsog Centre, one person distinguishes himself eminently: Luding Khenchen Dorje Chang. It was together with Luding Khenchen Dorje Chang that, shortly after our arrival in India , we first envisioned the establishment of a monastery in Sikkim , which would be the main seat of the Sakya School
Chogyal of Sikkim
Sa-Ngor Chotsok Centre also owes an enormous debt of gratitude to the late Chogyal Chenpo Palden Thondup Namgyal who, in 1972, magnanimously donated the land where the current monastery now stands. A strong bond has existed between the Namgyals of Sikkim and the Khöns of Tibet for several hundreds of years, ever since Khye Bumsa of the Minyak House, an ancestor of the Namgyal family, built the four main pillars of the Sakya Monastery in Tibet Sikkim Sakya School during its exile in Sikkim
Khenpo Lodro Zangpo
Another driving force behind the flourishing of Sa-Ngor Gompa was its first abbot, Khenpo Lodro Zangpo, who bore full responsibility for its management when, in the early sixties, circumstances forced His Eminence Luding Khenchen Rinpoche to move to another part of India. Khenpo Lodro Zangpo remained for 12 years in charge of Ngor Gompa at the Khyentzong house, during which time he also made a significant academic contribution to the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology. A great scholar and teacher, as well as an accomplished practitioner, Khenpo Lodro Zangpo was a true Bodhisattva. He dedicated his every moment to the welfare of others and to the promotion of the Holy Dharma, and he spared no effort in ensuring that Ngor Gompa fulfill its destiny as a centre of religious learning and activity. That the monastery is what it has become today is in large part due to him.
Kunga Yonten Hochotsang
Special acknowledgement is also owed to Kunga Yonten Hotchotsang, founding member and director of Ngor Gompa. Kunga Yonten’s devotion to the Sakya School and the unmitigated dedication of his extensive energies and capabilities to the successful functioning of Ngor Gompa, have been and continue to be of consummate value to the monastery. Not least among his numerous accomplishments, was his participation in the launching in Mahayana Buddhist countries of a UNESCO project dedicated to the Revival and Survival of Buddhist Arts and Skills, in which Ngor Gompa contributed by sharing its expertise in the vital skill of woodblock carving, thus enriching the resources in all Buddhist countries for carrying out the reproduction of sacred texts.
Local community
Throughout the half century of its existence, Ngor Gompa has been blessed with the support of its community. From its very beginnings, not only Sakyapas, but also the community at large has proven to be its lifeblood. It is thanks to their openhandedness that the building of the monastery was made possible, that its monks’ needs were taken care of and that, crucially, the Ngor Gompa Tsechen Samten Ling Retreat Centre was built and inaugurated by Luding Khenchen Dorje Chang in 2002. Ngor Gompa is now well on its way to becoming a full-fledged monastic institution. With the ritualistic aspect taken care of by the temple, and the meditation component covered by the Retreat Centre, all that is needed now is a third vital feature, a Centre of Philosophical Studies, in order to give Ngor Gompa full status as a comprehensive monastic establishment. There is every hope that auspicious circumstances will continue to bless the monastery and that, through the dedication of its management staff and the largesse of its benefactors, this commendable aim will also come to completion.
Khenzong family
It would prove impossible to name here all those who participated in one way or another to the progress of the monastery, but we are especially indebted to all those volunteers, especially government employees, who physically participated in the construction of the monastery, selflessly giving their time and effort, and even sometimes covering great distances to make their way to the building site. We are extremely grateful to all those who donated funds, materials and food, as well as to all the well-wishers who offered their moral support. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Khyentzong family who, beyond offering the temple accommodation in the early years, have continued to be an unfailing source of support, in particular Chum Dorje Wangmo.
Last, but certainly not least, the Sa-Gnor Tsochok Centre owes its very existence to the kindness and hospitality of the state government and people of Sikkim
Namgyal Dynasty
It was my special privilege to spend some time in Lachen when I left Tibet
Preserve natural & cultural heritage
I have come here this time when the entire State has been going through a traumatic experience following the devastating earthquake on 19th September last month. I truly hope that the prayers and pujas that are being held during my visit at Ngor Gompa and elsewhere in many of the monasteries, temples, mosques and churches will help those who were killed in the earthquake and who have suffered much. While we cannot avert natural disasters caused by earthquakes we also have a duty to preserve our ecology and natural environment to ensure that we minimize damages and destructions caused by such calamities.
Spiritual tourism
Honourable Chief Minister, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the invaluable work that you have achieved in the administration of your state, in particular your endeavour to cultivate and promote its sacred character and opening pathways for spiritual tourism.
Since the first time that I came to Sikkim Buddha Park Sikkim
I understand, Honourable Chief Minister, that these projects are in the larger part your initiatives, and I commend you on the vision and dynamism with which you are carrying out these undertakings as well as all the other responsibilities of your office. I sincerely wish that all your enterprises be crowned with complete and undiluted success.
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