KATHMANDU: The Chiniya Lama, Sherab Dorje, died in Kathmandu on Sunday. He was 80.

Dorje was the chairman of Bouddha Ghyang Guthi  and other organisations.

The Buddhist abbot's last rites will be carried out at the Teku-based Rama Dholi Dhuki as per the Buddhist tradition on Tuesday, Rastriya Samachar Samiti reported quoting his son Kiran Kumar Lama as saying.

He is survived by his wife and two sons.

According to historians, Taipo Shing, a Chinese Buddhist abbot, had come to Kathmandu on a pilgrimage when Janga Bahadur Rana was Nepal's Prime Minister around 200 years ago. It is believed he was  the Chinese Emperor's emissary to Nepal.

Shing started living in Kathmandu as the main priest of the ancient Bouddhanath Stupa.  He was considered as the first Chiniya Lama and his descendants, including Sherab Dorje, who took charge of the Bouddhanath Stupa got the title.

Clarification Earlier, an unconcerned photograph was inadvertently attached to this news. The photograph has been retracted. The mistake is regretted.