Teachings and guidance talks in Leh, Ladakh

In the morning of 12 May 2017 His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche departed Dharamshala, for Ladakh, via Jammu. Upon arrival at Leh airport, Ladakh, and at Ruthok Monastery, His Eminence Rinpoche was accorded a revered welcome by dignitaries, the officials of the monastery, and the local public.

In the evening of 13 May 2017, at the prior request of Socially Engaged Buddhist of Ladakh (SEBoL), and organised by the same, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a guidance talk on the theme of “Educating the Educators,” to the teachers and those working in educating fields, in Ladakh region. Prior to the talk, Advocate Otsal Wangdus, Director, SEBol gave an introduction and welcome speech.

Subsequent to that, His Eminence Rinpoche gave the guidance talk, in English, as requested, and pointed out: The need to distinguish between assumption and knowing; the shortcomings of the present Education system, that it would not generate students with ethical conducts; the contradictions between modernity and traditional, the defining characteristics of the two; how with dependence on the modern education system, there are created the inequalities between self and others, personal and society, rights and duties, competition and cooperation, and so forth; the background to the present education system of India, and the implementation of it still going on. His Eminence Rinpoche thereafter answered questions.

At the end, Sonam Tsering, Secretary, SEBoL, gave a gratitude speech. A large number of attendees to the talk comprised of the Principal (Lamdon Senior Secondary School), academics, teachers, students and the general public.

In the morning of 14 May 2017, organised by SEBoL, and the event convened at the hall of Thiksey Monastery’s Summer Congregations, a seminar of adepts, on the theme of “Relevance of the Present Education System and Policies.”

On behalf of Thiksey Monastery, Ven. Thabkey gave the welcome speech. Advocate Otsal Wangdus, Director, SEBoL, gave an introduction. There followed speeches by Mr. Tsewang Paljor (Special Cultural Officer, Culture Academy, Jammu & Kashmir Govt.), Mr. Mipham Otsal (President, Ladakh Theatre Organization), and Dr. Sonam Dawa (Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council).

Thereafter, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave the keynote speech in Hindi. With the aim to make, through this meet, in shaping the education policy, His Eminence Rinpoche gave detailed insights into how to approach in terms of students, in terms of education’s objectives, in terms of teachers, and so forth. His Eminence then answered questions and gave clarification as requested. Besides school principals, academics, artists, teachers, a large number of people attended the talk.

In the afternoon of 15 May 2017, at the request jointly by Ruthok Lhundrub Choeding Monastery, at Jokhang, Leh, Ladakh, and Ex-Army Association,Leh, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a teaching on The Eight-Verse Thought Training. The entire hall was thronged to the walls with devotees, there were many seated outside as well.

On 16 and 17 May 2017, at the request jointly by Ruthok Lhundrub Choeding Monastery and Ex-Army Association,Leh, His Eminence Rinpoche gave teachings, at Ruthok Lhundrub Choeding Monastery, on Thirty-seven Practices of Bodhisattvas. For making the teachings easier to understand, His Eminence Rinpoche specifically composed and made available Outlines of the text. Again, a large number of people attended the teachings.

In the morning of 18 May 2017, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a guidance talk on the requested theme of “Secular Ethics,” at the hall of Tibetan Children’s Village School, Lak, to the teachers, staff members and the students above grade six.  At the start, Chime Lhundup (Director, TCV Ladakh ) gave the welcome speech.

Thereafter, His Eminence Rinpoche, in the guidance talk, touched upon in detail the background and objectives of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’ advice to the world, of Secular Ethics. His Eminence answered questions at the end. The Principal of the school gave a gratitude speech.

In the morning of 19 May 2017, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche was requested to grace the ceremony of The Birthday Centennial Anniversary of His Eminence Bakula Rinpoche, organised at the Polo Ground, Leh. His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a speech on the occasion, as requested. Present at the event were His Eminence Gadhen Trisur Rinpoche, Deputy Chief Minister (Jammu & Kashmir), the Minister for Religion and Culture (CTA), the local Member of Parliament, the local Member of Parliament of the State Government, Chief Executive Councilor (Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council) and other Councilors, Representatives from Mongolia and other countries, many dignitaries, and a large number of general public.

In the morning of 20 May 2017, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche graced the two-days Workshop on “Positive Discipline Techniques for School Children,” organised jointly by Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (Deemed Universty), Leh, UNICEF and Leh Nutrition Project for Teachers and Managers of Monasteries.

The Director of the Institute, Prof. Geshe Konchok Wangdu gave a welcome speech at the start.  Thereafter, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave the inaugural address, advising on the ways of teacher-student co-relation;the criteria for teachers; the ways of supervising students; while expressing gratitude to UNICEF for assistance, reminding that it has to be done with respect to the spirituality and culture of Ladakh; and so forth.

Subsequent to that, His Eminence Rinpoche was invited to the Institute’s Nagarjuna Hall, where His Eminence Rinpoche gave a guidance talk on the requested theme of “Importance of Buddhism in Modern Scientific Period,” to the lecturers, students and staff members of the Institute.

Thereafter, His Eminence Rinpoche had a special meeting at the Director’s Chamber, with the Director and the senior lecturers and staff members, and as requested, gave advice on the progress of the Deemed University.

In the morning of 21 May 2017, as per prior request from Ngari Institute of Buddhist Dialecics, Saboo Village, Leh, Ladakh, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche performed consecration-blessing of the Institute’s new hall under-construction, and bestowed to the students (who are orphans) transmission-blessing of Manjushri praise Your Intellect, and The Eight-Verse Thought Training. His Eminence Rinpoche also planted a commemorative tree.

In the afternoon of 21 May 2017, organised by Ladakh Buddhist Association Youth Wing, Leh, and convened at Nagarjuna Hall (of Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh, {Deemed University}), His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche gave a guidance talk on the requested theme of “Art of Living.”

At the start, His Eminence Rinpoche lit the commemorative lamp, followed by welcome and introductory speech by RinchenNamgyal (President, Ladakh Buddhist Association Youth Wing, Leh).

In the guidance address, His Eminence Rinpoche pointed out that, for a happy life, the body has to be well, the mind (thoughts) has to be well, and a right/ethical livelihood; for making one’s life meaningful, in addition to those three, the inner thinking has to be spiritual (adhyamik). At the finish of the talk, His Eminence Rinpoche gave pertinent answers on questions concerning a variety of fields. A large number of people who attended the talk comprised of academics from diverse faiths, teachers, students and others.

In the morning of 22 May 2017, when departing from Leh, His Eminence Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche was accorded revered see-off at Ruthok Monastery, and at the airport, by dignitaries.