The highest statue of Lord Buddha is China’s Spring Temple Buddha which is 502 feet taller than this one.

After the ceremony, while addressing the huge gathering of dignitaries and devotees, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was all praise for Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling for conceptualizing the place and drew comparisons with the Great Emperor Ashoka for his endless devotion towards spreading Buddhism and tirelessly working towards promoting Buddhism. The spiritual leader also expressed his utmost happiness and satisfaction to be at Tathagata Tsal during this momentous occasion. He also stated that the people of Sikkim who are peace loving and a religious lot should continue to follow the path shown by Lord Buddha and continue to be so. Tathagata Tsal is not only a place of worship or a pilgrimage destination for the people who practice Buddhism but for everyone, The Dalai Lama stressed. The Tibetan spiritual leader also urged the people to have a healthy mind and positive mindset which he said can only be achieved with constant training and practice of the mind.

On the occasion, His Excellency the Governor of Sikkim Mr. B.P Singh also addressed the gathering and thanked the Dalai Lama for blessing the place and the people of Sikkim with his imminent presence and also highlighting the teachings of Lord Buddha. Mr. Singh also showered his praise on the Chief Minister Mr. Chamling for conceptualizing the place and coming up with such a beautiful idea.

The Chief Minister while addressing the gathering on the occasion offered a warm welcome to the Dalai Lama and expressed his profound satisfaction at being able to present such a place of worship and a place of pilgrimage tourism to the people of Sikkim and the world. Because of this, he referred to the occasion as a momentous one. He also informed that the plans and policies of his government have always followed the Buddhist philosophy and will continue to do so.

Earlier the Dalai Lama also released the souvenir of Tathagata Tsal Titled ‘The Chronicles of its Making’. The function after the consecration ceremony began with a welcome speech by the Chief Secretary Mrs. R. Ongmu. Later in the afternoon, the teaching of Thirty Seven Practices of Bodhisattva was given by His Holiness which was also attended by the Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling along with thousands of devotees.

Anoop Rai