Spreading the message of love and compassion, Mahakaruna Diwas, Ladakh chapter was celebrated on June 25 at Nagarjuna auditorium hall, CIBS, Choglamsar, Leh. The day also concur the celebration of Centenary Birth Anniversary of H.E Gyalsras Bakula Rinpoche.

The Mahakaruna Diwas, ‘Compassion in action’ was organised by Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre, Leh in collaboration with Ladakh Buddhist Association and Organizing Committee of the 19th Bakula Rinpoche Birth Centenary Celebration. 

A short film, ‘Sanghasena- Transformation of lives through Compassion in Action’ made by Ladakh Vision Group was also released and screened during the occasion. 

 

Dr. Kiran Bedi, Lt. Governor, Puducherry was the chief guest and Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India was the guest of honour.

On the day, a three-day orthopaedic camp was inaugurated. Prosthetic limbs, calipers, wheelchairs and hearing aids were distributed to the needy by the Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust, Mumbai in collaboration with Mahabodhi Karuna Charitable Hospital. 

Complaining about the lengthy function and too many guest speakers, Dr. Kiran Bedi, Lt. Governor, Puducherry chose not to speak much on it because of the time constraints. 

Dr. Kiran Bedi appreciated and applauded the selfless work and dedication of Bhikkhu Sanghasena towards the people of the region. Speaking on the poor connectivity and high airfares, she said, “It’s time to say improve connectivity, subsidised airfares, more flights because for 1 hour air travel the airfare charged are too high, as it should not be more than 6000”.

“The purpose of coming down to be part of the celebration is to get inspired by the unparalleled work and dedication of Bhikkhu Sanghasena and to give him recognition”, she said.

A total of 140 monks and nuns from Thailand who came on Padh Yatra from Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh were also welcomed.

Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Chairman of the organising Committee of the Mahakaruna Diwas, said, “The MIMC is proactively working towards imparting and making the practical implication of the Buddha’s teaching on love, compassion and peace”.

“On Mahakaruna day, we recollect personally and collectively to realise the guiding principle as taught by Lord Buddha and to reaffirm the persistent effort to make compassion more pertinent in our services and relevant to the world.”

He further added that the Mahakaruna has been celebrated from the past several years in different parts of India. Because of the positive responses from everywhere, the day has been celebrated on a wider scale to spread out the message far and wide. 

A book ‘A Monk postpones Nirvana’ Bhikkhu Sanghasena’s Journey of Compassion in Action by Dr. Vandana Shukla, Senior Editor Tribune was also released.

Talking about the change and suffering in the world, His Eminence Thuksey Rinpoche appealed people to practice love and compassion in their daily life rather than just talking about it in order to make a society better place to dwell in for all sentient beings. 

Speaking on the importance of Ladakh region, Ramdas Athawali, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India expressed the need to call the name of the state as Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. 

The minister said, “Maharashtra Government and Govt. of India are ready to extend help in establishing an Ambedkar Park in Ladakh.”

 

Other eminent speakers also expressed their views and opinion on the day. 

Mahakaruna day, 2017 was celebrated in Ahmadabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Amravati-Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh and Jammu in the month of January and February. The day aims to promote the noble principle of compassionate activity, dedicated to non-violence and peace. 

His Eminence Thuksras Rinpoche, Bounny Vanmany, Charge de Affairs, Embassy of Laos, Ven. Phrakhrusitthiwarakhom from Thailand, Swami Anand Krishna,  Founder and Spiritual Director, Anand Ashram-Ubud Bali, Indonesia, Chering Dorje, Minister of Co-operative and Ladakh Affairs,  and many other dignitaries from all walks of life were present.