On May 1, 2026, Jaya Sidhartha Hospital near Dekyiling Tibetan Settlement, Dehradun, organized Buddha Purnima, 2026, and Tibetan Settlement Officer Dr. Tsewang Phuntsok was invited as the chief guest for the program. The event was commemorated with Tibetan cultural performances, a speech by Shri Durga Prasad Verma, chairman of Siddhartha Group of Institutions, and a speech by Dr. Kumar Prashant, director of Jaya Group of Hospitals. Tsewang was accompanied by Mr. Tenzin Choephel, Vice President of the Local Tibetan Assembly, Dekyiling, and Mr. Tsewang Dhondup, President of the Dehradun Freedom Movement Office. The organizer also invited camp leaders of nearby Tibetan settlements, staff, doctors, and law, nursing, and pharmacy college students of the hospital.
Tsewang talked about how Buddhism started flourishing in Tibet during the reign of three Tibetan religious (Dharma) kings, Songtsen Gampo, Trisong Duetsen, and Tri-Ralpachen, who invited Indian Nalanda scholars to Tibet and their translation works from Sanskrit to Tibetan, which is not only an indication of an ancient historical spiritual tie between India and Tibet but also a significant contribution to the preservation of Buddha’s teachings in Tibetan text. He connected His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s legacy with Buddha’s teachings, which brings him universal recognition as a global icon of peace. His messages of non-violence, love, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness, kindness, and universal responsibility continue enlightening humanity in today’s world. Due to his true practice of Buddha’s teachings, he is being offered over 150 to 200 awards, honorary doctorates, and prizes, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, the US Congressional Gold Medal in 2007, and the Templeton Prize in 2012. His travel to more than 67 countries significantly indicates benefiting humanity.
Tsewang further underscored the four principal commitments of His Holiness and the inclusion of SEE (Social, Emotional, and Ethical) Learning into modern education curricula, which helps in the enhancement of more peaceful communities and the world.
He introduced the Ghoton, Year of Compassion, marking the 90th birthday of His Holiness, free meals, blankets, cloth distributions, and other Ghoton activities that the Dehradun Tibetans served. He offered Ghoton mementos, including His Holiness’s latest book titled “Voice for the Voiceless,” to Shri Durga Prasad Verma, requesting him to keep one book in the college library.
The hospital held a free medical checkup camp for the day.
Tsewang also attended another Vesak Buddha Purnima Mahotsav as guest of honor, invited by the Doon Buddhist Committee in the evening at the IRDT Auditorium, near Survey Chowk, Dehradun. The program was graced by Shri Malling Gombu, Chairman of the Arunachal Pradesh Khadi & Village Industries Board, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, and General Secretary of the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition; Shri Baljeet Singh Soni, Vice Chairman, Uttarakhand Minorities Commission; other guests of honor, special guests, dignitaries, performers, and attendees. The program was further valued by different Tibetan, Bhutani, and Nepali cultural performances and chanting of prayers by monks of Gaden Jangtse, Dekyiling, and Bhikhunis of Myanmar from Subharti University.
Tsewang’s speech in the gathering emphasized studying and practicing the Buddha’s teaching, which is significantly understood from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s principal commitments, particularly the promotion of human values and revival of ancient Indian knowledge. Tsewang highlighted “Be your own lamp, be your own lamp!” scripted on the screen show movie to the public about the 12 Deeds of Shakyamuni Buddha . “We cannot be our lamp without dispelling our ignorance; we cannot be our lamp without study and practice”. Therefore, His Holiness guides us to treat the volumes of Buddhist scriptures as if they were your textbook, rather than placing them on a sacred altar remaining untouched.” The program was concluded with Nagar Parikrama for World Peace.
