Choekerling Development and Management Committee

Rabong, South Sikkim

                                                                                

Dzung Ceremony, Curtain Raiser and Naming ceremony of Buddha Park on 25^th February

The Sakyamuni Project, an international Buddhist landmark in Rabong, South Sikkim, dedicated to the people of Sikkim is now complete and awaits formal opening.

While the Consecration / Inauguration Ceremony to be presided over by His Holiness The Dalai Lama will be held in the third week of March, 2013, a curtain raiser to the main consecration, the Dzung Ceremony of The Statue and the official naming ceremony of the Tathagatha Preserve will be held between 21st to 25^th February, 2013.

This was informed by the Committee to a gathering of people from different walks of life at a meeting held here at the Gymnasium hall of the Paljor Stadium on 5^th February, 2012.

The meeting was presided over by Shri D. D. Bhutia, Hon’ble Advisor to the HCM and also the Chairman of the Mane Choekerling Development and Managing Committee (MCDMC). Also present at the meeting were Gangtok MLA, Shri Dorjee Namgyal, Barfung MLA Shri Sonam Gyatso Bhutia, Mayor GMC, Shri K. N. Bhutia and former chief secretary T. T. Dorji, who is also the Vice Chairman of the MCDMC. Shri D. D. Bhutia thanked all those who have been helping mentally and physically with the project.

The MCDMC had taken up the Sakyamuni project in Rabong, South Sikkim for the construction of one of the largest Buddha Statue in the world made of metal repousse in 2007. The project was conceived as a vision after the state government decided to have a yearlong celebration of the 2550^th birth anniversary of Lord Buddha in 2006.

The prayers for the Dzung ceremony will begin on 21^st February at the Rabong Karma Thekchenling Donkun Duppai Gatsal monastery and the Dzung ceremony will be performed by His Eminence, Goshir Gyaltshab Rinpoche on the final day i.e 25^th February at the Statue.

The committee also informed that Hon’ble Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has consented to preside over as the Chief Guest for the curtain raiser and the naming ceremony of the park on 25 February, 2013.

With a view to make this a vibrant destination, the committee had solicited the presence of people from different walks of life in the meeting to seek their valuable advice and suggestions. It was attended by retired senior citizens, officers, wellwishers, people of the area and representatives of Buddhist associations. Shri C. Zangpo, Chief Engineer Buildings who is also the general secretary of MCDMC gave a technical report of the project while Additional Secretary Shri Rinzing Chewang mentioned the details of the project in his welcome address.

The committee has also invited those wishing to offer any help for the Dzung ceremony and installation of the Mane.

For further details please contact  C. Zangpo, CE @ 9434022326 and

Mr. Rinzing Chewang, Addl. Secy. @ 9434186234

( Press release received from the MCDMC published as it is for the benefit of readers.)