In the later period of the spread of Buddhism in the land of snow, Guru Marpa Lotsawa was one of the eight pioneers of the Practice Lineages, the source of the countless stars of spiritual masters and practitioners in space, the founder of the Kagyu Tradition of Guru Marpa Lotsawa – that is, the stainless refined gold of the Kagyu tradition.

In 1012, the great enlightened translator and founder of the Marpa Kagyu lineage was born to the family of Marpa at Drowo Lung in Lhodrak Chukyer. His father was Wangchuk Oser and his mother was Gyamo Sa dhode.

To commemorate the 1000th birth anniversary of the Great Supreme Lord Marpa at the Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat in Himachal Pradesh, a Yidam of Marpa "Hey Vajra" puja was held and an elaborate feast offering was conducted under the blessing of Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa over eight days from 21 – 28 January 2013.

On 27 January 2013, there was the commemoration of the 1000th year since the birth of the great enlightened translator Marpa Lotsawa and celebration of the successful publication of the complete scriptures printed by Palpung Printing House of Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat. The function was held in the presence of the 12th Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, Pema Donyo Nyingche Wangpo, along with Garje Khamtrul Rinpoche, Jamyang Dondrub, former Kalon Tripa Very Venerable Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche as Special Guest, Kalon Pema Chhinjor as Chief Guest, Penpa Tsering as speaker, Two Kagyu Chithue and dignitary guests, as well as an assembly of devottees from the Himilayan region.

There was a profound message by His Holiness Gyalwang Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje and very delightful speeches were delivered by Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, the former Kalon Tripa Very Venerable Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche and by Kalon Pema Chhinjor. The opening of the life story told of Marpa Lotsawa was conduct by Penpa Tsering as speaker. The opening of the publication of the complete scriptures printed by Palpung Printing House was done by former Kalon Tripa Very Venerable Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche as Special Guest and Kalon Pema Chhinjor as Chief Guest.

On 28 January 2013 which was the second day of the celebrations, at the invitation of Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa and Palpung Sherabling Monastic Sangha, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister His Excellency Virbhadra Singh arrived at 10 o’clock in the morning to Palpung Sherabling Monastic Seat as the Chief Guest.

The Honorable Chief Minister said that India has centuries of old, rich cultural heritage and a legacy of spiritual faith, peace and universal brotherhood. Buddhism was born in India and with the hard work of numerous Indian and Tibetan spiritual masters like Marpa Lotsawa it spread worldwide. The Chief Minister said that in this materialistic world, people were aspiring for many things and losing their internal peace, so teachings of Lord Buddha and other spiritual leaders are more relevant today. He said that due to concerted efforts of Buddhist scholars and practitioners the teachings of Lord Buddha had reached the pinnacle of the world.

A profound speech was made by Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa on this day.

Further, there was a video message displayed from Special Guest Prof,Dr. Lokesh Chandra who is a contemporary scholar of Buddhism and the Indian arts. He is the son of the famous Sanskrit scholar Raghu Vira and has served as a member of the Indian Rajya Sabha, Vice-President of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and Chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research.

Among those who attended the function include Vidya Stokes (Irrigation and Public Health Minister), Sudhir Sharma (Urban Development Minister), MLAs Kishor Lal and Yadvinder Goma, T G Negi (advisor to Chief Minister), J C Chauhan (Principal Private Secretary to Chief Minister), C Palrasu (Deputy Commissioner), Balbir Singh Thakur (Superintendent of Police) and other senior officers.

There was an opera performance over two days featuring the life story of the Great Marpa Lotsawa and traditional Tibetan and Indian musical dance performances by Palpung Riglam Kyedtsal School’s sangha students. By the blessing of Guru Vajradhara Chamgon Kenting Tai Situpa, the commemoration function of the 1000th birth anniversary of great spiritual enlightened master and translator Marpa Lotsawa (1012-2012) and publication of complete scriptures printed by Palpung Printing House at Palpung Sherab Ling Monastic Seat was completed full of blessings and joy to benefit all sentient beings to achieve Buddhahood and peace for all universes.

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