Kham Kathok, Sataun: The 900th birth anniversary of Shargyalwa Kathokpa Chenpo Dampa Desheg, the founding master of the Kathok Monastery at Nyingma Kathok monastery in Kham Kathok Tibetan Society, Sataun, Himachal Pradesh was observed on 29 July 2023.
The ceremony was presided by chief guest Kyabje Minling Khenchen Rinpoche and special guests Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Kyabje Tang Rinpoche, Kathok Monastery’s principal Gyashoe Kyabtrul Rinpoche, Additional Secretary Kunga Gyaltsen of the Department of Religion & Culture, Amnye Machen Institute’s Director Khenpo Ju Tenkyong, and attended by neighbouring Settlement Officers, LTA members, Tibetan Freedom Movement Committee, Chair and Vice-chair of Kathok Tibetan Association, representatives of former residents of Kham Kathok currently residing in Delhi’s Samyeling settlement, sponsors, teachers and students of Puruwala Tibetan School and the general public of Kham Kathok settlement.
Kathok Monastery’s principal Gyashoe Kyabtrul Rinpoche delivered the welcome address and introduced the programme, followed by the address of the chief guest and special guests. During the programme, Puruwala Tibetan School gave a cultural performance.
The guests launched a book on Shargyalwa Kathokpa Chenpo Dampa Desheg‘s life.
In India, Kathok Monastery’s Kyabje Wonpo Trulku established Kham Kathok settlement in 1967 and reestablished the Kathok Monastery in 1979 in Kham Kathok. Kyabje Wonpo Trulku, Kyabje Drimey Shingkyong Trulku and Nyagrong Khenpo have successively administered the monastery. Currently, the monastery is administered by principal Gyashoe Kyabtrul Rinpoche and there are 30 monastics at the monastery.