Khyen Rinpoche Dechen Dorje cremated at Tashiding

GANGTOK, 19 July: The mortal remains of the late Dorje Lopen of Phensang Monastery, Khyen Rinpoche Dechen Dorje was consigned to flames purified by the chanting of prayers and mantras by Rinpoches, Tulkus, Khyenpos and Udor-Choe-Sum of Sikkim at Drakar Tashiding on 18 July, a SIBLAC press release informs. 
The Kudung of the late Rinpoche reached Tashiding Monastery at 12: 20 PM and was straight away taken into the Monastery where short prayers were offered while the Kudung was placed on top of the specially erected Tri (Seat) in the main prayer hall.
The SIBLAC general secretary, Pem Tshering Lepcha, informs that when the Kudung arrived at Tashiding, it was accorded “Supreme Sikkimese Buddhist honor and protocol as elaborated an reserved for very high and accomplished Buddhist Lamas by the Sikkimese Parliament of Tingrigang declaration of Rabdentse palace (17th century) under the guidance of the 3rd Denjong Chogyal Chador Namgyal”.
A very long and elaborate ceremonial reception of Serbang from several monasteries accompanied the Kudung till the sacred crematorium of Thurte Silba-Tsal.
The Serbang was preceded by a large number of Jang-nga (Traditional Sikkimese Copper Drums) pairs offered by the various monasteries and students of the DPCA, Pelling and which rang across the entire serenity and thereby truly espousing the volume of the late Rinpoche’s greatness and wisdom, the release mentions.
Reverently called Phensang Khyen Rinpoche by his disciples, the connection of ‘samaya’ was reflected in the presence of the monks and disciples from almost the major and minor monasteries of Sikkim. Hardly any monastery of Sikkim remained unrepresented yesterday to pay their last homage to the great Lama.
All the prayers were presided over by Kyabje Denjong Lhatrul Terchen Rinpoche (Yangthang Rinpoche). The mortal remains were consigned to the flames at round 1 PM on a specially built Phurkhang amid chanting of prayers by monks amid the impressive mourners of around 10,000 -15,000 mourners. In fact, the late Phensang Khyen Rinpoche glows to his fullest at Tashiding, the release expresses.
“However, it is very unfortunate that this historic moment escaped the notice of our press and media as well as the local district administration to represent or at least attend the same,” the release further comments.