This is to affirm that Lama Kunga Sherab is an intellectual endowed with immense capacity of comprehension. He studied and mastered Buddhist Philosophy in Sakya College. As such, he was awarded degree of Acharya, equivalent to MA. After his graduation from the College, he undertook the job of philosophy professor at Sakya College and taught there for some time. He has received number of Empowerments, Oral transmission, Pith Instruction from the great Lamas of Sakya tradition and he has gone through several retreats on Vajrayana practice. Therefore, I had earlier conferred him the title of Khenpo. On top of that, now, I approve of the conferment to him the title of Mahapandita Rinpoche by my root Guru His Eminence Vajradhara Chogye Trichen Rinpoche. As the great living master of Sakya acclaim his spiritual activities as notable to the Buddha's doctrine in general and Sakya tradition in particular and as per wish of him and his disciples, the title of Panchen Rinpoche is conferred to him. Henceforth, he should be addressed with this title. I regard him as a precious lineage holder of the profound Empowerments teachings of our tradition and believe that he would be able to help all the world and who have Chinese and Mandarin as their mother tongue.

Sakya Trizin

The Supreme Head of Sakya Tradition

April 30, 2002