Dharamshala: The leadership and staff of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) gathered in the auditorium above the staff mess to observe a prayer ceremony to mourn the passing of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s younger brother, Tenzin Choegyal, widely known as Ngari Rinpoche, who passed away on 17 February 2026 at the age of 80.
During the ceremony, Sikyong Penpa Tsering expressed his heartfelt condolences on the passing of Ngari Rinpoche. Sikyong noted that, as CTA staff were on official Losar holiday at the time of his demise, the prayer service could not be held immediately.
Sikyong also explained that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile were unable to attend this prayer ceremony, as they were currently occupied with important engagements with distinguished guests of official event marking the 86th anniversary of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s ascension to the Golden Throne of Tibet.
After reading a brief biography of the late Ngari Rinpoche, Sikyong called upon all present to offer their solemn prayers.
Similar prayer services were held across various Tibetan settlements, organised by Tibetan civil society groups. Condolences also poured in from members of the Tibetan community and Tibet support groups worldwide.
Brief Biography:
Ngari Rinpoche Tenzin Choegyal was born in 1946 in Lhasa, Tibet. In 1950, he was recognised as the reincarnation of the 15th Ngari Rinpoche and enrolled in Drepung Monastery. In 1959, he accompanied His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama into exile in India. He studied at St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling, until 1969 and continued further studies in India and abroad for two more years.
In 1971, Ngari Rinpoche began serving in Tibetan NGOs and the Central Tibetan Administration (then called Gaden Phodrang), taking on roles such as teacher at the Tibetan Children’s Village, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Security, and Secretary in the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, serving until 1988. During this period, he also served as Vice President of the Tibetan Youth Congress (1974–1977) and served in the Dhanglob for two years.
From 1991 to 1996, he represented the Dhomey constituency as a member of the 11th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Dalai Lama Trust (2007–2016) and of the Gaden Phodrang Trust of the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (2011–2016). Since the 1980s, Ngari Rinpoche continuously provided special assistance in organising His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s tours and supporting the administration of Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
