Prayers to mark Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo’s Mahaparinirvana at Tsuklakhang

Rare public display of sacred crown Rinchen Tokshu

GANGTOK, : The ‘RinchenTokshu’ – one of the most sacred crowns in Tibetan Buddhism, first worn by Guru Rimpoche and later offered to Sikkim’s first Chogyal in 1642 by the Fifth Dalai Lama – would be open for a rare public display on October 11 at Tsuklakhang Monastery here.

The occasion marks the Mahaparinirvana commemoration of GyalwaLhatsunChenpo, the revered lama who brought the crown to Sikkim in 1642 as an offering of the fifth Dalai Lama to ChogyalPhuntsogNamgyal, as a sacred empowerment (Tenkyal).

GyalwaLhatsunChenpo (LhatsunNamkhaJigme) was one of three highly revered Buddhist lamas who journeyed to Yuksam and consecrated PhuntsogNamgyal as the first Chogyal (king) of Sikkim. It was through him that the Fifth Dalai Lama’s offering of the sacred crown reached Sikkim.

The priceless artefact, ‘RinchenTokshu’ - also referred to as the “Five Jewels Crown” - has since been passed down through successive generations of Chogyals and is currently preserved at the Tsuklakhang Monastery within the Tsuklakhang Palace.

In an exclusive conversation with SIKKIM EXPRESS, Prince PaldenNamgyal and Tulku Rinpoche LodayZangpo shared that the ‘RinchenTokshu’, along with the ceremonial headdress and boots of GyalwaLhatsunChenpo, will be displayed to the public during the Mahaparinirvana ceremony on October 11. This marks an exceptionally rare public viewing of a historical artefact that holds immense significance in both Tibetan Buddhism and Sikkimese history.

It was noted that the crown is among the most sacred objects in Tibetan Buddhism, with profound historical importance. The ‘Five Jewels’ crown was originally worn by Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava), who established Buddhism in Tibet, during the consecration of Samye Monastery, Tibet’s first Buddhist monastery, in the 8th century. The crown was later offered by the Fifth Dalai Lama to ChogyalPhuntsogNamgyal through LhatsunChenpo, who was also one of the spiritual teachers of the “Great” Fifth Dalai Lama.

“The Mahaparinirvana commemoration on October 11 is an important occasion to remember and express our gratitude to GyalwaLhatsunChenpo. It is also a fitting time to showcase the sacred crown to the people of Sikkim,” said Tulku Rinpoche LodayZangpo.

“The crown has been passed down from one Chogyal to the next. We want the people to know that such a sacred object is here at Tsuklakhang.”

Prince Palden Namgyal added that the Mahaparinirvana commemoration seeks to celebrate the life, legacy, and teachings of Gyalwa LhatsunChenpo, whose consecration of the kingship marked Sikkim’s emergence as the holiest Beyul (hidden land), as declared by Guru Padmasambhava.

 “The crown has been in Sikkim since the time of ChogyalPhuntsogNamgyal but has been displayed only on rare occasions. Tulku Rinpoche decided to bring the crown out during this year’s Mahaparinirvana commemoration for the benefit of the public,” said Prince PaldenNamgyal.

It will now be displayed from time to time, during the anniversary of Gyalwa Lhatsun Chenpo’s Parinirvana commemorations in the future, he added.