TSEWANG RIGZIN
LEH: In a heart touching exemplary way of showing centuries old communal harmony, a Muslim family in Leh on Sunday hosted refreshments to Buddhist devotees who were performing ‘Gochak’ prostration in the holy month of ‘Tangpo’.
Hanifa Rili has been offering refreshments to Buddhist devotees during the month of Tangpo for over a decade now and he hopes that his children and grandchildren carry this tradition forward into the future.
Hanifa Rili started this gesture with the aim to strengthen communal harmony and brotherhood as Ladakh is known for its communal harmony.
The prostration is being organised at the initiative of association named ‘Skyangchhak Chhoskul Tsogspa’.
Sonam Dorjay Soso from the Skyangchhak Chhoskul Tsogspa expressed gratitude to Hanifa Rili and his family members for offering refreshments to Buddhists devotees during the month of Tangpo for many years now.
Skyangchhak Chhoskul Tsogspa informed that many other Muslims in Leh have also started offering refreshments during Gochhak prostrations.
Skyangchhak Chhoskul Tsogspa has already been informed by Muslim brethren that they shall be hosting Buddhist devotees with refreshments in the next two days of prostration.
The first month of Tibetan Lunar Calendar is known as the holy month of Tangpo by Buddhists populace Ladakh and thousands of Buddhist devotees take part in ‘Gochak’ prostration. During this month monastic institutions and religious places are illuminated with butter lamps.
From 1st to the 15th of the month of Tangpo, many devotees abstain from non-vegetarian food and intoxicants besides performing wholesome action daily. Fasting is also observed by many on auspicious days.
The prostration in Leh started on Saturday from Chatsal Gang with devotees from all walks of life, including children and elderly people, taking active part. Such prostrations are also organized at village levels and devotees make clockwise circumambulation of holy places such as stupas and monasteries.
During the month of Tangpo Buddhist devotees pray for world peace, harmony, and for all sentient beings to attain Nirvana.
