Losar Tashi Delek (English)

On the occasion of the beginning of the Tibetan Year 2148, the year of the Iron Ox, we want to send our heartfelt best wishes for a very happy New Year to everyone in Spiti Valley, the monks in Tabo Monastery, the teachers and students at Serkong School, and to all of our friends and supporters in India and all over the world.

The Year of the Iron Mouse, 2147, has come to a close. It presented many challenges for all of us, and thus good opportunities to learn. Spiti Valley is a remote area, with few health facilities, and many people did not have the chance to build up material reserves to endure a long period of lockdown or other measures to contain COVID-19. Therefore, the pandemic was a real challenge for our community. However, the people of Spiti focused on their core values: being responsible, standing up for the community, acting with kindness for each other, and being there for each other whenever a word of encouragement or help was needed. Let’s utilise the new year to strengthen and extend these good qualities further!

Throughout the past year, we have frequently heard His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama refer to the principal commitments he has taken up, and the joy he has in pursuing them:

• First commitment: Encouraging people to be happy and to practise human values in order to live together.
• Second commitment: Promoting harmony among different religious traditions.
• Third commitment: Preserving the Tibetan language and culture, and protecting the environment.
• Fourth commitment: Raising awareness among young people in India about the high value of Indian traditions in today’s world.

These commitments are vital for our development and we are all equipped to support His Holiness in putting them into effect. Let’s all join together and support His Holiness to fulfil his commitments!

We wish all of you an auspicious start to the new year. May it be filled with joy, happiness, health, and peace! Losar Tashi Delek!

Yours sincerely,

Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche

Khen Rinpoche Tulku Tenzin Kalden

Venerable Zangpo la

Acharya Tenzin Dorjee, Principal of Serkong School

Losar card: calligraphy by Geshe Gedun Samdup & photo of the Kalachakra Stupa by Thupten Sherap (Tsenshap Serkong Labrang)