Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, May 29: The Sakya Tsechen Association in New York on Wednesday celebrated 25 years of service and contributions to the Tibetan-American community with the official co-naming of a street as “Sakya Tsechen Way” in Woodside, Queens.
The landmark occasion was marked by a public celebration attended by His Holiness Kyabgon Sakya Gongma Trichen Rinpoche, His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, members of the Sakya Tsechen Association, and Tibetan community members from across New York and New Jersey.
The inauguration ceremony highlighted the growing visibility and recognition of Tibetan culture and heritage in New York City, home to one of the largest Tibetan diaspora communities in North America.
Addressing the gathering, New York City Council Member Julie Won hailed the occasion as a historic milestone for both the Tibetan community and the city itself.
“Today, we are here to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sakya Tsechen Association and also the historic co-naming right here to name it in New York City forever in history ‘Sakya Tsechen Way’ right here at Woodside,” Won said during her speech.
She further noted that the street co-naming would serve as a lasting tribute to Tibetan history and identity in the multicultural borough of Queens.
“This street co-naming will allow every single New Yorker that walk down the street, that drive by the street to remember and honour Tibetan history and preserve the language and to know and to spark curiosity of who was Sakya Tsechen and what can they learn about Tibetan history,” she said.
Founded in 2000, the Sakya Tsechen Association has played a significant role in preserving and promoting Tibetan Buddhist teachings, language, culture, and community welfare initiatives among Tibetans living in the United States. The organization, based in Woodside, Queens, regularly hosts religious teachings, cultural programs, and community events.
Woodside has long served as a cultural hub for the Tibetan diaspora in New York, with several Tibetan organizations, monasteries, businesses, and community institutions located in the neighborhood. The wider Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey, one of the oldest Tibetan organizations in the United States, also operates in the area and has contributed significantly to preserving Tibetan identity in exile.
The unveiling of “Sakya Tsechen Way” marks yet another symbolic recognition of the Tibetan community’s enduring presence and contributions to the cultural fabric of New York City.
