Purpose of religion is to bring out the goodness in people: Rijiju

‘Tse Chu’ festival at Khinmey Sangnag Chockorlling Monastery

TAWANG, Jun 24: “The purpose of any religion is to bring out the goodness in the people”, said Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju.
Rijiju, who along with Chief Minister Pema Khandu, RWD Parliamentary Secretary Jambey Tashi and Tawang MLA Tsering Tashi, attended the annual celebration of ‘Tse Chu’ festival at Khinmey Sangnag Chockorlling Monastery here on Sunday, said this is an occasion that provides us an opportunity to imbibe the teachings of Lord Buddha to lead a disciplined life.
“On this pious occasion, people from all walks of life cleanse themselves of any misfortunes and take this opportunity to accumulate spiritual merits and to attain enlightenment, which is the ultimate goal of the Buddhists,” said Pema.
He thanked Thegtse Rinpoche for inviting him to the festival and said the celebration is a moment to offer thanks to Guru Padmasambhava for blessing the land of Tawang.
“Lord Buddha was the one who had overcome five poisons – ignorance, jealousy, desire, attachment and anger,” said Thegtse Rinpoche Gyurmey Losel Gyatso.
“We should be devoid of jealousy and work together for peace and harmony in the entire society,” he added.
Earlier, the celebration began with the colourful religious dances to commemorate the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Lopon Rinponche.
Devotees and followers of Nyingmapa Guru from all over Tawang and West Kameng district dressed in their best traditional attires attended the celebration.
Masked dancers performed Cham dances taking on the wrathful and compassionate deities and demons. (CMO)