Lopön Thrinlé Tenzin Awarded the Knight's Medal in the Ordre National du Mérite

Monday, June 22, 2026 — Pavillon de l'Orangerie, Paris Senate

In the solemn setting of the Pavillon de l'Orangerie, at the heart of the Palais du Luxembourg, Lopön Thrinlé Tenzin — Yves Boudéro — received the Knight's Medal in the Ordre National du Mérite, awarded by the French Republic on the proposal of former Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and by decision of President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron.

The decoration was presented by Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Minister Delegate in charge of Citizenship, representing Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, in the presence of an exceptional gathering of religious, institutional and diplomatic figures: the Prefect of Police of Paris, ambassadors, representatives of the Bureau Central des Cultes, senators, and leaders of the major faith communities represented in France — including Monseigneur Laurent Ulrich, Archbishop of Paris, Haïm Korsia, Chief Rabbi of France, Christian Krieger, President of the Protestant Federation of France, and Najat Benali, President of the Coordination of Muslim Associations of Paris. The Drukpa community was represented by the Venerable Drubpön Rinpoché Paksam Yongdu, superior of the Pal Drukpay Tcheutsok congregation of Plouray, along with several members of the Drukpa Plouray board of directors.

The ceremony was part of the celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of the Union Bouddhiste de France (French Buddhist Union), of which Lopön Thrinlé Tenzin has been an administrator for six years and co-president for four years alongside Antony Boussemart.

In his acceptance speech, Lopön Thrinlé Tenzin emphasised that this distinction honours above all the UBF as a whole — its administrators, member communities, and prison and hospital chaplains. With characteristic humility and depth, he reminded the audience that nothing is accomplished without the interdependence of all, concluding with Nāgārjuna's tetralemma as a tribute to his four principal spiritual masters: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Khenpo Yéshé Tcheudar Rinpoché, His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa, and Kyabjé Shri Sengdrak Rinpoché.

We extend our warmest fraternal congratulations to Lopön Thrinlé Tenzin.

Acceptance speech of Lopön Thrinlé Tenzin