Dharamshala | November 5, 2025
On November 5, Lha Charitable Trust organized the celebration of His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche’s 86th birthday, officially observed as Tibetan Teachers’ Day, at the Tibetan Settlement Hall in Dharamshala. The event honored His Eminence’s profound contributions to Tibetan education, cultural preservation, Buddhist philosophy, and his lifelong service to humanity.
The celebration highlighted the recognition of November 5 as Tibetan Teachers’ Day and aimed to inspire younger generations by acknowledging academic excellence through the Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche Merit Scholarship Program. The event also marked the launch of Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche’s Online Digital Repository, a significant resource preserving his teachings, speeches, and scholarly contributions for public access.
The program commenced with a welcome address by Mr. Sonam Palden, Executive Director of Lha Charitable Trust, followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the chief guests and a long-life prayer led by four monks.
Mr. Ngawang Rabgyal, President of the Governing Body of Lha Charitable Trust, delivered an introductory address emphasizing the significance of the celebration and the two major components of the program: the inauguration of the Digital Repository and the Merit Scholarship presentations.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Palden Dhondup (Secretary, Department of Home, CTA), and the Special Guest, Ven. Nawang Norbu (Executive Director, Mon Tendhon Culture Preservation Society), offered inspiring speeches reflecting on His Eminence’s extraordinary life, his guidance, and his legacy of wisdom and service.
Distinguished attendees included Mr. Tsering Dhondup (Secretary, Department of Finance), Mr. Dongchung Ngodup (former Minister, Department of Security), and representatives from various institutions. Over 55 guests and participants joined the celebration, creating a warm and vibrant atmosphere.
A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche’s Digital Repository. This comprehensive archive includes Rinpoche’s teachings, speeches, and talks on Buddhism, education, history, Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy, the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and his participation in debates, symposiums, and public events. The repository is now accessible to the public for study, research, and inspiration.
Another major highlight of the event was the presentation of Merit Scholarships. This scholarship was awarded to Tibetan students for their exemplary dedication to preserving the Tibetan language and cultural heritage. A total of 8 students from various Tibetan institutions—including Men-Tsee-Khang Sowa-Rigpa Medical College, Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education, and the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (Varanasi)—were awarded the Merit Scholarship.
Additionally, under this Merit Scholarship program, 16 students from Sarah College for Higher Tibetan Studies received supplementary scholarships to support their college fees as part of the Merit Scholarship Program.
The program concluded with words of thanks, followed by tea and snacks for all attendees, fostering a warm atmosphere of gratitude and fellowship. The celebration was a heartfelt tribute to His Eminence’s lifelong devotion to education, moral leadership, and the preservation of Tibetan language and culture. Moving forward, Lha Charitable Trust remains committed to advancing Tibetan language, culture, and community development through meaningful and compassionate initiatives.
