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Key Points

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang met with the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition delegation in Delhi. The IHCNBT, led by Padma Thegtse Rinpoche, discussed efforts to preserve Buddhist traditions across the trans-Himalayan region. Tamang praised their work and assured continued state support for cultural initiatives. The meeting follows IHCNBT's March assembly where 120 representatives discussed safeguarding Himalayan Buddhist identity.

Key Points: Sikkim CM Tamang Meets Nalanda Buddhist Tradition Delegation in Delhi

  • Sikkim CM pledges support for Himalayan Buddhist heritage
  • IHCNBT promotes trans-Himalayan cultural preservation
  • Delegation briefs on Bhoti language recognition
  • March assembly united 120 Buddhist representatives
2 min read

Sikkim CM meets delegation from Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition in Delhi

Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang discusses Buddhist heritage preservation with IHCNBT delegation led by Padma Thegtse Rinpoche in Delhi.

"We must be Buddhists of the 21st century - Lochen Tulku Rinpoche"

New Delhi, June 18

Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang, held a meeting with a delegation from the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition (IHCNBT) in the national capital on Wednesday.

According to a Sikkim Chief Minister's Office statement, the delegation was led by the President of IHCNBT, His Eminence Padma Thegtse Rinpoche.

During the meeting, His Eminence briefed the Chief Minister on the Council's extensive work at the national level, particularly its efforts to promote and preserve Buddhist traditions across the trans-Himalayan region, spanning from Arunachal Pradesh to Ladakh.

As per the statement, Chief Minister Tamang lauded the Council's commitment and contributions toward the spiritual and cultural enrichment of the Himalayan Buddhist community. He assured the delegation of the continued support of the Government of Sikkim in their initiatives.

The Chief Minister also shared the various initiatives and developmental work undertaken by the Sikkim Government in support of the Buddhist community in the state. In response, the IHCNBT delegation extended its heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister for his support and encouragement.

Earlier, on March 21, the First General Assembly of the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition was successfully held at the India International Centre (IIC) in New Delhi. The assembly brought together 120 Buddhist representatives from various Himalayan states for a historic discussion on safeguarding cultural identity and religious heritage.

Key figures present included Lochen Tulku Rinpoche, then-President of IHCNBT; Maling Gombu, General Secretary; Sonam Wangchuk, a founding member; and Rajiv Kumar, Director of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), among other distinguished participants.

In his keynote address, Lochen Tulku Rinpoche had emphasised the urgent need to preserve indigenous Himalayan languages and transform monasteries into modern learning centres. "We must be Buddhists of the 21st century," he said, underlining the importance of comprehensive knowledge of Buddhist philosophy and practice. He also noted the Council's achievement in securing recognition for the Bhoti language through NIOS, following the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun S.
Great initiative! Our Himalayan Buddhist heritage is a national treasure that needs preservation. Glad to see Sikkim CM taking active interest. More states should follow this example 🙏
P
Priya M.
The recognition of Bhoti language is a significant step. India's linguistic diversity is our strength. Hope more indigenous Himalayan languages get similar attention and support.
R
Rahul K.
While I appreciate the cultural efforts, I hope the government also focuses equally on infrastructure development in these regions. Both spiritual and material progress should go hand in hand.
S
Sunita T.
As someone who's visited Sikkim multiple times, I can say their Buddhist monasteries are not just religious centers but also major tourist attractions. This preservation work will boost cultural tourism too!
V
Vikram J.
"Buddhists of the 21st century" - what a powerful thought! Modernizing monasteries while preserving traditions is the perfect balance needed today. Kudos to IHCNBT for their vision.
N
Neha P.
Hope these efforts also help counter China's attempts to appropriate Buddhist heritage. India is the true home of Buddhism and we must protect our cultural sovereignty in the Himalayas.
K
Karan D.
Would love to see more interfaith dialogues happen through such councils. India's diversity is our strength, and understanding each other's traditions builds national unity.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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