Dzongu monks meet and confer with Sangha MLA

DIKCHU, 23 Oct: Monks from different monasteries of Dzongu today convened a coordination meeting with Sangha MLA, Pheetuk Tshering Lama, here at Namprikdang Forest Guest House in Upper Dzongu, North Sikkim.
During the meeting, the monk representatives placed demands of their respective institutions and other suggestions for proper functioning of monastic schools, repair of the damaged monasteries and other requirements and also expressed gratitude towards the Chief Minister for his consistent efforts in upgrading Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
The representative of Namok monastery urged for early completion of construction work at Namok Monastery while the representative from Tholung Monastery highlighted the pathetic state of the damaged monastery and requested for early sanction of project for construction of a new monastery.
Some of the monks requested a general meeting of the monks with the Sangha MLA since owing to some communication gap some monastic work are being delayed and pending.
MLA Lachen Mangan, Tshering Wangdi Lepcha informed that the upcoming Janta Mela will start from North Sikkim and that all the communities in Sikkim are equal before the state government.
The meeting was also addressed by Power Minister cum MLA Dzongu, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha who urged all the lamas to be responsible and dedicated towards their religious duties. While responding to the monk’s grievances regarding delay in restoration of some monasteries, the Minister admitted that there have been some problems which have led to such delay.
The Sangha MLA, Pheetuk Tshering Lama while addressing the meeting highlighted that the SDF government has developed more infrastructure and pilgrimage sites for the Buddhist community and appealed to all the monks to be more active in religious activities. He further highlighted different schemes under the welfare department.
Similarly, the president Monk Cell, Rinzing Namgyal Bhutia highlighted about the different schemes for the lamas and monasteries from the government.
A similar meeting was also held on Tuesday at Chungthang for the three monasteries of Lachung, Lachen and Chungthang along with a meeting at Ringhem monastery in Mangan.