Leh, Ladakh April 7 – A resident of Ladakh has started a tough prostration, popularly known as “Gochak”, for world peace.
Starting from the region’s main city Leh, 29-year old Rigzen Wangyal would prostrate over 1,200 kms before reaching Dharamsala, home to hundreds of Tibetans living-in-exile, three years from now.
Wangyal says his penance is aimed at seeking world peace and prosperity. “I am doing this prostration for world peace and for all human beings, for happiness, peace and prosperity and also for a free Tibet. It’s not just for myself but for the entire humanity. I will continue this practice for a long time,” said Wangyal.
A prostration is conventionally popular and every Budhhist knows its spiritual and physical benefits.
Conducting physical prostration is one among many Mahayana ways of practising Buddhism in the Himalayan region. The en-masse physical prostration during sacred days in Ladakh, is famous the world over. Wangyal says he would terminate his “Gochak” in the presence of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
Wangyal had done a similar “Gochak” from Leh to Temisgham covering 105 kms in 2002 and Nang village to Leh covering 37 kms in 2000. Religious practices in Ladakh, the north of Kashmir and one of the last strongholds of traditional Tibetan Buddhism, are very harsh and strict. Ladakh is situated at a height of 12,000 to 14,000 feet.
