Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Sept 16: The 5th Annual Drukpa Council was held at the Hemis Monastery. The Council witnessed participation of Gyalwang Drukpa, spiritual head of Drukpa Buddhists, 50 Drukpa masters and over thousand followers from 80 countries. Spiritual head of Drikung order, Drikung Kyabgon also took part in the Council.
The event was presided over by 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 is 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.
The theme for this year’s Council was “Universal Oneness: Bridging Spirituality and Materialism”, where traditional rituals and Himalayan cultural performance were showcased.
Speaking on the occasion, 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.”
“It is unfortunate that Union as well as State Government have failed to rise up to the expectations of the people of Ladakh. While Buddhists and the Ladakhis 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 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 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.
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