PR Newswire | 13 Sep, 2013
LEH, India: The 5th Annual Drukpa Council (ADC) was held at the Hemis Monastery in Leh, Ladakh (India) by the Drukpa Buddhists amidst robust attendance. Buddhists from India and across the world assembled at this picturesque landscape to share and reconnect the various practices through teachings. The ADC saw the presence of His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, spiritual head of Drukpa Buddhists, more than 50 Drukpa masters and over a hundred thousand followers from 80 countries coming together to strengthen the Drukpa Lineage. Also present during the event was the spiritual head of Drikung order, His Holiness Drikung Kyabgon.
The event was presided over by organising chairperson, His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche. The ADC is the largest gathering of Drukpa masters from across the world, who come together to pray and transfer centuries of wisdom to people at large. It's also an opportunity for the Drukpas to push for positive change in the social fabric of the region, as well as in the world at large.
His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, the spiritual head of the Drukpa Lineage said, "The ADC provides a platform for different global cultures to come together and inspire each other to work towards common good. It is time for humanity from different backgrounds to put aside all differences and find a common ground to work for the benefit of everyone."
Drukpa Lineage's enlightened yogis and accomplished Drukpa masters from Bhutan, India, Nepal, Tibet and other parts of the Himalayas came to Ladakh to attend the event, which saw the attendance of eminent government representations from countries such as Bhutan and Sri Lanka. However, Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir who had confirmed his presence at the inauguration failed to turn up at the last minute.
"It is unfortunate that the Indian government and the state government of Jammu & Kashmir have failed to rise up to the expectations of the people of Ladakh. On numerous occasions in the past as well these governments have failed us. We feel hurt and ignored. While the Buddhists and the Ladakhis here own their allegiance to India and do their best to protect its sovereignty, these governments continue to give us the feeling that we are not part of this region, and we are not a priority," said His Eminence Drukpa Thuksey Rinpoche, chairperson of the ADC demonstrating the frustration of the Drukpa Lineage and its followers, that comprise 70% of the Buddhists in this region. The same feeling was expressed by all those present at the ADC.
The theme for this year's council was "Universal Oneness: Bridging Spirituality and Materialism", where traditional rituals and Himalayan cultural performance were showcased.
The 5th ADC also hosted a free eye-camp for the people of the region, and this two-week long initiative witnessed more than 2,000 screenings being performed in the border areas and around 200 cataract operations being performed successfully for the under-privileged section of the society. Drukpa Buddhists believe in engaging themselves with the local communities by reaching out to serve their urgent needs. "Walking the Talk" is how they practice the Buddha's teachings.
About ADC
The Annual Drukpa Council (ADC) is a yearly event for the teachers and followers of the Drukpa Lineage to come together, exchange views and spiritual knowledge. Drukpa teachers give teachings and share their wisdom and experience during the ADC, which aims to provide a platform for building and nourishing of multi-lateral and inter-group relationships within the Drukpa Lineage as well as introducing the richness of its spiritual heritage to others. It provides an annual gathering for the followers of the Drukpa Lineage to meet once a year, thus nourishing a firm bond and strengthening the relationship among the individuals and groups within the Drukpa Sangha. ADC includes not only traditional rituals and practices, but also open discussions and exchange of views regarding the practical use of spirituality to resolve today's difficulties. It also functions as a forum to increase the ability to work more productively together in a harmonious way. One of the key driving forces of the ADC is to promote "Compassion in Action" which is the practical aspect of inculcating loving-kindness and compassion in the world today.
About Drukpa Lineage:
The Drukpa Buddhists follow the Mahayana Buddhist tradition in philosophy, i.e. the philosophy of "getting enlightened for the benefit of others" and the methods are based on the Tantrayana teachings passed down from the great Indian saint Naropa, born in 1016. "Druk" in means "Dragon" and it also refers to the sound of thunder. In 1206, the first Gyalwang Drukpa, Naropa's reincarnation, saw nine dragons fly up into the sky from the ground of Namdruk, and he named his lineage "Drukpa" or "lineage of the Dragons" after this auspicious event. Today, the Drukpa Lineage sprawls over major parts of the Himalayas, especially in Ladakh, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti in India, as well as Bhutan and Nepal. Bhutan, also known as "Druk Yul" or "Land of Thunder Dragons", honours the Drukpa Lineage as its state religion. The lineage is also widely practiced in many countries throughout the world, especially Vietnam, another nation deeply influenced by the legends of "Dragons".
For more details, please visit his blog: http://www.drukpa.org
For more information on the ADC please visit: http://www.drukpacouncil.org
Primary Media Contact: Swati Jain, communications@drukpa.com, 91-9910734054
Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130913/10075238
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