5th Annual Drukpa Council Held at Ladakh

5th Annual Drukpa Council Held at Ladakh

LEH, India, September 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --



- Countries Hail Himalayan Buddhists as Upholder of Culture and Tradition



- Showcase Displeasure at Government's Apathy Towards Ladakhi Buddhists



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.



(Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130913/10075238)




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


Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130913/10075238
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Drukpa Lineage

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