The three day 2nd International Festival of Buddhist Heritage of Ladakh inaugurated

, September 17, 2013  Leh: To promote the rich Buddhist Heritage and Culture, Mahabodhi International Meditation Cente in collaboration with Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Bihar, Ministry of tourism J&K, LAHDC and All Ladakh Gonpa Association celebrated the Inaugural Ceremony of ‘The 2nd International Festival of Buddhist Heritage of Ladakh’ with great zeal and religious fervour on 16 September, 2013 at Sindhu Sanskriti Kendra (SSK), Leh.

During the occasion Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad was the Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion Bhikku Sanghasena welcomed all the guests and prayed for the blessing to overcome the differences and ignorance and enable us to live in peace and harmony. He further prayed for the physical, mental and spiritual growth of all humanity. Ghulam Nabi Azad while addressing the audience appreciated with great pride the rapid progress and development in Leh district in the recent times and a large contribution and dedication of Nawang Rigzin Jora and Rigzin Spalbar in this process.

Referring to Kushok Bakula Rinpochey as a great son of India, a diplomat who has significantly contributed for reviving the ties with some important countries, he said that Bakula has immensely worked in spreading education awareness in Ladakh. He further added that Buddhist has admired the people world over for peace, tranquillity and serenity and holding of such a festival on heritage of Buddhist with participation from many parts of the world would play great role in exchanging the experiences and serve to strengthen heritage and friendship in the universe. Rigzin Jora in his address called religion a purely personal affair and said that people must follow the core values of religion rather than indulging in ritual and ceremonial things to make the world a better place to live in. “For enabling to carry the Buddhist way of life it is necessary that the monasteries must also go a paradigm shift, now the monasteries must become vibrant learning centres. The monks must become Dharma teachers”.

Spalbar appreciated the role and work done by Sanghasena and thanked him for inviting such dignitaries from all over the world on this occasion and extended greetings and welcomed all guests to the land of peace and tranquillity and get rejuvenated thereby prolonging life. Dr. Ravindre Panth highlighted that the entire world is under a series of crisis ad a critical phase of conflict on the various issues of life; it is at this moment that the universal teachings of Buddha becomes relevant for the suffering humanity. He requested the tourism Ministry Govt. of India to place this mega event in the annual calendar of the events. He further appealed to put Leh in the Buddhist Pilgrim Circuit in India as a place of living Buddhism Destiny.

Vajramala, Former President of German Buddhist Union highlighted that Buddhism is the fastest growing religion in the west because it gives answers to the most urgent questions of the time especially by the youth. She quoted a famous saying that “if you educate a boy, you will built a career and if you educate a girl, you are educating the whole family and the entire society and use all skills of Buddha Dharma to create a better world by promoting education to every single child, protecting the nature, birds and animals”.

Calling Sanghasena the One Man Army for his effort, Swami Agnivesh expressed grief that downtrodden and poor people of Ladakh are not being given proper treatment and they should enjoy the same health and facilities as the people of other districts are enjoying. Another submission he gave was that women should be given the equal ordination of Buddha Bhikkhu as in this time if women are not given equal position in the religion and spirituality, there can be no peace in the world. He appealed to maintain peace and shed the custom of dowry and appealed to make whole of India alcohol and intoxicants free.

Within these three days will include a wide range of Buddhist film festival, Seminar on Buddha’s way of Inner wisdom, Book fair, Ladakhi cultural programmes, presentation of papers on Sutra and Tantra tradition of Buddhism, Meditation and Yoga classes etc.  Mask dance “Chham” by monks of Hemis Monestary, performances by various artist Ven. Choying Dolma from Nepal, Singer and composer Datuk Dr. Victor Wee and group “Wayfaree” from Malaysia, Buddhist singer “Dharma Bums” from America and songs and dances by Ladakhi artists were another exclusive highlights of the day.