TSEWANG RIGZIN
LEH: A grand celebration of Buddha Purnima to commemorate the 2562nd Birth Anniversary of Lord Buddha was held here at historic Polo-Ground on Monday.
Celebrations started from Chokhang Vihara with a procession that was participated by thousands of students, monks and other devotees, with every person carrying a volume of Tripitika, to pay homage to the enlightened one and to spread the message of peace, harmony, and non-violence. Tableaus representing twelve enlightening deeds of the Buddha have also been taken out in the procession up to Leh Polo Ground.
Like previous years, the celebration of Buddha Jayanti in Leh was organised by Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and the event was chaired by Skabjey Rigyal Rincpoche. Besides talking about Lord Buddha’s contribution to the entire humanity, Rigyal Rincpoche also drew the attention of the people over the exponential changes that Ladakh has seen over the last few years because of so many tourists visiting Ladakh. Rincpoche advised people of Ladakh to keep the region’s fragile ecology undisturbed from such developments.
Earlier, President LBA Tsewang Thinles in his welcome speech said that if there are still discriminations being meted out to some sections of the society in the name of caste, then we cannot be called the followers of Lord Buddha. He said we need to be 21st century’s Buddhists and practices like the caste system has no place in Buddhism.
He asked Ladakhi public to pledge on this auspicious occasion to bring about changes in one’s life and also practice Buddha Dharma in its real sense. He regretted that in the Buddhists community lots of suicide cases are reported, which he felt, also means that people have not understood Buddha Dharma. “Organising such grand celebrations alone will not help if we don’t practice Buddha’s teaching in life,” he added.
President Ladakh Gonpa Association Shetup Chamba also spoke on the occasion. Minister for Ladakh Affairs and Cooperative Chering Dorjay, Executive Councillors Tsering Wangdus and Gyal Wangyal and MP Ladakh Thupstan Chewang were among the dignitaries present on the occasion. A blood donation camp was also by LBA Youth on the occasion and more than 100 volunteers reported to have registered their names with LBA wing in case of emergencies in future.
A colourful cultural performance by students from different schools were also presented and Vice President LBA Rinchen Namgyal presented the vote of thanks.
Buddha Purnima, is celebrated across the world on this day to mark the birth, enlightenment and Mahaparinirvan (death) of Lord Buddha in the 6th century.
