Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor R.K. Mathur attends joined Purnima celebration at Polo Ground where His Holiness Drikung Skyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche was the main religious figure. | Mathur stressed on the need to practice maitri, karuna and development of human values as taught by Lord Buddha
Leh, May 16: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur, attended the 2566th Buddha Jayanti celebration at Polo Ground in Leh today. His Holiness Drikung Skyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche was present during the event.
LG Mathur greeted everyone on the occasion of Buddha Purnima and appreciated LBA for organising the event. He expressed pleasure at seeing the participation of the public and school students in large numbers after the Covid-19 pandemic. Terming Buddha Purnima an important day on which three important events took place in Buddha’s life- his birth, enlightenment and pari-nirvana, LG Mathur emphasised the need to practice maitri and karuna and the development of human values as taught by Lord Buddha.
LG Mathur also remembered Dr BR Ambedkar, the Father of the Indian Constitution who followed Buddhism, for integrating the values of Buddhism into the Indian Constitution and playing a pivotal role in establishing world peace and harmony.
LG Mathur informed about various proposed initiatives by the Administration along with Hill Council, Leh such as drinking water, toilets and parking facilities at monasteries. He also informed about the plans to set up museums at monasteries such as Phyang and Spituk. He shared about efforts being made to plant juniper trees in monasteries in Ladakh for their usage in various religious rituals. He further shared that the objective of the juniper plantation drive is to increase green cover and develop a sacred grove in the monasteries.
LG Mathur shared the plan to plant 1.5 lakh saplings in Chushul this year in collaboration with Go Green, Go Organic- an organisation mentored by HH Chetsang Rinpoche to preserve the fragile Himalayan environment. He spoke about the initiatives taken by HH Chetsang Ripoche, who is the United Nations Mountain Partnership Ambassador, to plant trees and sea buckthorn plants in Ladakh involving the local communities.
LG Mathur appreciated that HE Thiksey Rinpoche and LBA President Thupstan Chhewang have taken the initiative to invite HH the Dalai Lama to Ladakh.
LG also advised the people of Ladakh to take precautions against the spread of Covid-19 for the well-being of the entire community.
HH Chetsang Rinpoche thanked everyone for inviting him to the programme. He spoke on the relevance of Buddha’s teaching in today’s world and advised everyone to follow his teachings for world peace.
LG Mathur and HH Chetsang Rinpoche distributed prizes and certificates to position holders of essay and handwriting competition in Bhoti language.
Earlier, LBA President Thupstand Chhewang welcomed the guests. President, All Ladakh Gonpa Association, gave the vote of thanks.
Students from different schools from Leh performed dances, participated in a debate competition and gave speeches on the importance of Buddha’s teachings during the event.
Students, monks and a large number of people carried the statue of Lord Buddha and Sungchos (holy scriptures) and participated in a procession.
HE Thuksey Rinpoche; Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Adv Tashi Gyalson; Member of Parliament, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal; Executive Councillors, LAHDC Leh- Tashi Namgyal Yakzee and Ghulam Mehdi; President, Ladakh Buddhist Association, Thupstan Chhewang; President, All India Gonpa Association, Ven Shedup Chamba; Vice-Chancellor, University of Ladakh, Prof SK Mehta; Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh, PD Nitya; monks from different monasteries, school students, members of religious organisations and public were present during the event.
