On this sacred and joyous occasion, we bow with deep reverence to His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa, the Supreme Head of the Drukpa Lineage, whose life is a radiant embodiment of compassion, wisdom, courage, and visionary leadership. His Holiness is not only a revered spiritual master but also a transformative guide whose presence has profoundly shaped Ladakh and the Himalayan region.

For decades, when Ladakh had limited access to structured spiritual teachings and guidance, His Holiness chose to spend invaluable years in these high Himalayan mountains. Through profound teachings, personal example, and tireless dedication, he nurtured monks, nuns, and lay practitioners, planting seeds of compassion, discipline, and mindfulness that continue to flourish today.

Spiritual Guidance and Inner Awakening
At the heart of His Holiness’s life mission lies spiritual transformation. He revived and strengthened authentic Buddhist teachings in Ladakh, emphasising non-violence, compassion for all living beings, and conscious living. His guidance inspired gradual social transformation, encouraging many to adopt vegetarianism and environmentally responsible lifestyles.

Breaking rigid traditions, His Holiness made spirituality more inclusive. He encouraged lay practitioners to participate in sacred rituals traditionally reserved for monastics, provided they practised with sincerity and discipline. This step brought spirituality closer to the people and strengthened collective faith.

Empowering Nuns and Elevating Women’s Leadership
One of the most revolutionary contributions of His Holiness has been the empowerment of Buddhist nuns. At a time when nuns often received limited social recognition, he envisioned equality, dignity, and leadership for women in spiritual life.

At Druk Amitabha Mountain in Nepal and in Ladakh, more than 500 nuns have been empowered under his guidance. These nuns independently manage administration, leadership, spiritual training, and community responsibilities. From Kung Fu training to academic excellence, they stand today as a powerful global symbol of strength, discipline, and compassion in action.

Environmental Vision: Live to Love
Long before sustainability became a global priority, His Holiness spoke of environmental responsibility as a spiritual duty. Through the international organisation Live to Love International, he initiated worldwide efforts promoting environmental protection, education, and compassion.
The remarkable Cycle Yatras—where His Holiness rode thousands of kilometres alongside the Kung Fu nuns from Nepal to Ladakh—carried a clear message: “Care for the environment, and the environment will care for us.” These journeys ignited environmental awareness across communities and generations.

Pad Yatras: Walking with Nature
Through extensive Pad Yatras across the Himalayas, including challenging routes from Himachal Pradesh to Zanskar, His Holiness inspired people to reconnect with nature. These journeys were not merely symbolic—they were powerful teachings in motion, reminding humanity to live harmoniously with the Earth.

Green Ladakh: Turning Barren Land into Hope
For generations, Ladakh was considered too harsh for large-scale greenery. His Holiness personally disproved this belief by initiating tree plantation drives in the arid mountains many years ago.

In 2010, during the Commonwealth Games in India, he set a Guinness World Record by planting 50,000 trees in just 30 minutes in Ladakh—an extraordinary act symbolising hope, action, and environmental responsibility. His tree plantation drives laid the foundation for the Green Ladakh vision that continues to grow today.

Holistic Education: Druk Padma Karpo School
Understanding that education shapes the future, His Holiness established the Druk Padma Karpo School in 2001. Designed to integrate modern education with cultural values and ethics, the school provides holistic learning rooted in Ladakhi identity. It nurtures students to become globally competent while remaining deeply connected to their heritage.

Compassion in Action: Live to Rescue
Compassion for all sentient beings lies at the core of his teachings. Through the Live to Rescue initiative, injured and abandoned animals receive care and protection. Inspired by his message of non-violence, many communities in Ladakh have embraced vegetarianism, with places like Kharu Market becoming fully vegetarian—reflecting a powerful cultural shift toward compassion.

Cultural Revival and Identity
At a time when modernisation threatened Ladakh’s cultural identity, His Holiness launched Live to Love Cultural Workshops in collaboration with renowned Ladakhi artists. These initiatives revived pride in traditional dress, music, dance, and customs—not only in Ladakh but also among Ladakhi students in cities such as Delhi, Jammu, and Chandigarh.

Today, one can see youth proudly wearing traditional attire and celebrating their heritage—a reflection of his foresight and commitment to cultural preservation.

Hemis Monastery and Global Spiritual Gatherings
Having grown up at Hemis Monastery, His Holiness later assumed its spiritual leadership. Under his guidance, Hemis hosted the historic Naropa Festival, attracting participants and artists from across the world.

He also initiated the Hemis Winter Festival, ensuring spiritual continuity during Ladakh’s long winters and concluding the celebrations with traditional Ladakhi Losar festivities. Nearly two decades ago, he inaugurated the Hemis Museum, inspiring monasteries across Ladakh to preserve their precious artefacts and heritage.

Youth Leadership: Naropa Fellowship
Recognising that youth empowerment requires more than employment opportunities, His Holiness launched the Naropa Fellowship. The programme brings together young leaders from Ladakh, the Himalayan belt, India, Nepal, and Bhutan to cultivate ethical leadership, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility.

Today, its fellows serve as changemakers, social entrepreneurs, and job creators—continuing his vision of compassionate leadership.

A Living Bridge Between Ancient Wisdom and Modern Responsibility
On his blessed birth anniversary, we celebrate not only the birth of a great spiritual master but also the living legacy of a visionary whose initiatives span spirituality, environment, education, culture, compassion, and youth empowerment.

His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa stands as a luminous bridge between ancient Himalayan wisdom and modern global responsibility. His blessings to Ladakh are immeasurable, and his vision continues to guide generations toward a future rooted in compassion, sustainability, and pride in identity.

May His Holiness be blessed with long life and stable health. May his guidance continue to illuminate Ladakh and the Himalayas for generations to come.