Presence of Lord Buddha's sacred relic in Ladakh 'special', says Rijiju

Recalling the life and contributions of Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, he described him as a visionary leader who played a key role not only in Ladakh but also in strengthening Indias cultural and spiritual ties with countries such as Mongolia.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday termed as ''special'' the presence of Lord Buddha's sacred relic in Ladakh, saying the long-standing demand of the people of the region has finally been fulfilled at an auspicious time. The minister was delivering the first Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Memorial Lecture at Nagarjuna Hall of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh, as part of the 2569th Vesak Buddha Purnima Week celebrations. ''This moment is special for me because, at present, the sacred relic of Lord Buddha is in Ladakh. There have been continuous demands within India to bring the holy relic here, and I have personally received many such requests,'' Rijiju said. He noted that traditionally, Buddha's relics have not been moved within the country and have often been taken abroad on several occasions. ''Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognised the sentiments of the people of Ladakh, who had been requesting for years that the sacred relic from Piprahwa be brought here,'' he said. Highlighting the significance of the occasion, Rijiju said the ongoing Vaishakh Buddha Purnima period was the most appropriate time for devotees to have darshan of the relic. ''There could not be a more meaningful time than this for the people of Ladakh,'' he added. The lecture, themed ''Peace Beyond Borders'', reflected Ladakh's spiritual heritage and its enduring message of peace and harmony. The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and offering of khatag to Lord Shakyamuni Buddha and Kushok Bakula Rinpoche. In his keynote address, Rijiju expressed his privilege in being present during the sacred exposition of the relics and on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima. He highlighted India's identity as the land of Lord Buddha and reiterated the message of peace and compassion propagated by the country globally. Recalling the life and contributions of Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, he described him as a visionary leader who played a key role not only in Ladakh but also in strengthening India's cultural and spiritual ties with countries such as Mongolia. Rijiju said Rinpoche contributed significantly to promoting modern education in Ladakh while preserving Buddhist traditions and serving society through public life despite numerous challenges. He urged the younger generation to draw inspiration from his life and assured continued support from the government of India for the development of Ladakh and the preservation of its Buddhist heritage. Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation Abhijit Halder, in his introductory address, stressed the importance of preserving Buddhist values in contemporary society and described the occasion as a moment of pride for Ladakh. He highlighted Rinpoche's role as a spiritual leader who harmonised faith with public service and recalled his contributions in strengthening India's ties with Mongolia and Russia during his tenure as ambassador. Halder also informed about an upcoming documentary on the life and legacy of Kushok Bakula Rinpoche. In his remarks, Deputy Secretary General of the Asian Buddhists Conference for Peace Sonam Wangchuk Shakspo recalled his association with Rinpoche and highlighted his role in establishing institutions such as CIBS and addressing socio-economic challenges in Ladakh. Vice Chancellor of CIBS Prof Rajesh Ranjan, in his concluding remarks, appreciated the support of the Union Territory administration and shared insights into the teachings of Lord Buddha. The programme was organised in collaboration with CIBS, Flowering Dharma Ladakh, and the Asian Buddhists Conference for Peace, and was attended by senior officials, members of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, religious representatives and other dignitaries.