Sikkim tribal leader Tseten Tashi Bhutia has urged the people of Sikkim and Buddhist followers across India to unite in safeguarding the Mahabodhi Temple at Buddhagaya and the sacred Mt. Khangchendzonga, highlighting the need to preserve the state’s spiritual and religious heritage amid rising development pressures. Speaking at a public gathering, Bhutia stressed that centuries-old traditions are at risk if neglect continues. He emphasized that the Sangha MLA seat in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly is not merely a political position but a sacred trust, reserved under the Constitution to uphold the legacy of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Expressing concern over the current representative and the state government, he said, “When our custodian of Dharma remains silent in the face of desecration, it is not only a political failure but also a spiritual betrayal.”
Bhutia appealed to High Lamas, Rinpoches, and other spiritual authorities to actively safeguard Sikkim’s sacred heritage and to warn the community against threats to Dharma. “Silence in such moments is not the path of Guru Rinpoche, nor the teaching of Lord Buddha,” he noted. In a show of solidarity, Bhutia has called for a one-day Satyagraha with the All India Buddhist Forum (AIBF), clarifying that the movement is a campaign for truth and spiritual preservation, not against any individual or group. He also demanded that the Mahabodhi Temple at Buddhagaya be fully managed by Buddhist authorities to ensure global peace and harmony.
“Let us reaffirm our faith in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, and stand united for the protection of Buddhagaya, Mt. Khangchendzonga, and our sacred heritage,” Bhutia said.