Sonam Wangchok appointed teacher

Dr Sonam Wangchok, the secretary of the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) and the Ladakh Liaison Officer for International Association for Ladakh Studies (IALS) was recently appointed as teacher for modern subjects to Most Ven. Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, Stanzin Nawang Jigmed Wangchuk by Spituk Gonpa Committee until he goes for higher studies.

The Previous Bakula Rinpoche sent Sonam Wangchok to Sri Lanka for higher studies and advised him to make sure that he would go back to Ladakh and work for the preservation and promotion of Himalayan Cultural Heritage. By keeping the words of the most Ven. Bakula Rinpoche, Dr Sonam Wangchok has started Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF) in 2009 with the guidance of Prof. Geshe Konchok Wangdu who has later become the president of HCHF.

Most Venerable Previous Bakula Rinpoche, who passed away at the age of 86, was a distinctive Lama of great endowment and exceptional talent, statesman, and international diplomat of India. His support, passion and determination played an important role in the field of education to help the Ladakhi people to fight for their rights and sustain their own ancient Himalayan cultural heritage in the contentious political environment of the State of J&K.

In 1986, in appreciation of his distinguished services of high order to the nation, the President of India awarded him the nation’s second highest honour, “Padma Bhushan”. In 1990, he became the Ambassador of India to Mongolia and rendered his service for over 10 years not only as ambassador but also as a guiding spirit and for which he received “Polar Star” award from Mongolia.

To the delight of many, the identification of a two year old boy from Kyagar, Nubra was confirmed by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in 2008 as the 20th Bakula Rinpoche. With the advice of Ganden Tri Rinpoche, he was brought to Leh on 6th August 2010 and the religious ceremony of enthronement was held on 12th August 2010 where the Rinpoche formally took seat of Bakula at Pethup Gonpa. In this way, the Rinpoche starts his mission for the happiness and wellbeing of all sentient beings from where he left in his previous life. In order to teach him more languages and give him all-round education, both Prof Geshe Konchok Wangdu and Dr Sonam Wangchok serve as his teachers at the moment.