Notes on Sikkim

Your Oct. 11 article, “Through Monastery and Village in Sikkim,” contains material that is offensive to Buddhists. The author describes his visit to Rumtek Monastery and his encounter with someone he calls “Jangen Rinpoche.” It is clear that he is actually referring to His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, who was one of the highest and most world-renowned spiritual authorities of the Kagyu Tradition of Buddhism. His Eminence was tragically killed in an automobile accident shortly after your correspondent’s encounter with him, and Buddhists are observing mourning for him.

Certainly there is no reason the author would have known this. However, the offensive part is in his casual pronouncement of his own lack of respect for His Eminence. That is certainly his right, but I do not feel that the disparaging of religious figures has any place in a travel section article.

In addition, the writer is misleading would-be Sikkim explorers as to how to get their special permits to enter Sikkim. He recommends doing this in Darjeeling, but it has been possible to obtain these permits from any Indian embassy or consulate for more than two years.

REV. KARL G. SPRINGER

American Buddhist Congress

Los Angeles

Writer Michael Moss replies: I was sorry to learn of the death of His Eminence Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche. There was no disrespect intended in portraying the evolving self-examination of Sikkim’s younger generation. Indeed, it was my impression that that questioning was a healthy process that seemed to be resulting in a stronger faith.