Dalai Lama arrives in Leh

LEH, JULY 03: His Holiness the 14^th Dalai Lama was accorded a grand traditional reception on his arrival at Leh today.

He was received by Chairman J&K Legislative Council Haji Inayat Ali, MP ThupstanTsewang, MLA Leh Nawang Rigzin Jora, MLA NubraDeldanNamgyal, Executive Councillors LAHDC Leh, DC Leh, SSP Leh, GaldanThizur Rinpoche, SkyabgonChetsang Rinpoche, Thiksay Rinpoche, Togldan Rinpoche, Thukrsas Rinpoche and other venerable Rinpoches, monks and nuns, members of Ladakh Buddhist Association headed by President TsewangThinles, members of Ladakh Gonpa Association headed by President Ven. ShadupChamba, Councillors, religious, and social heads of Leh and political heads of both Leh and Kargil districts.

At Jive-tsal, the Dalai Lama’s palace in Leh, speaking to a small gathering of Rinpoches, monks, nuns and lay people, Dalai Lama thanked people of Ladakh for showing such love and respect. He said that that there is need to develop the quality of love and kindness along with materialistic development. This quality should be developed mutually by all the religions of the world.

Talking about the recent conference of Indian Himalayan Buddhist Communities held at Delhi which was attended by Buddhist scholars of various regions of the country, Dalai Lama appreciated the decision taken during the conference for importance of converting the monasteries into learning centers. With the shifting of paradigm from feudal system to democracy it is necessary to bring change in our monastic system as well, stressed Dalai Lama. “Feudal system garners hate and violence, while democracy gives right to all for developing a peaceful environment”, His Holiness added.

Talking about the current global situation, HH Dalai Lama said that with lots of materialistic development the world is passing through an emotional crisis. In this respect all the world religions should stress on spreading the qualities of love, peace, forgiveness and compassion. The 21^st century young generation should read the scriptures and look for themselves for the relevance of 2600 years old Buddha Dharma in today’s world.