Nubra, Ladakh: His Holiness the Dalai Lama blessed a newly constructed statue of Matreiya Buddha at a ceremony at Ladakh’s oldest and largest Disket Monastery (Dekyi Gonpa in Tibetan) on Sunday. (Watch).
Dressed in their best traditional costumes, a large number of local people attended the ceremony which was also attended by many important dignitaries including His Eminence the 102nd Gaden Tripa, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Thiksey Rinpoche.
Around 2 Crore rupees were spent to build the 100 feet statue of Matreiya (Gyalwa Jampa) by Disket Kunrog Tsogpa and Disket Jamgon Sarsheng Nyamrog Thundel Tsogpa.
While laying the foundation stone in 2007 His Holiness the Dalai Lama had said he had started the construction work and would give the final touch by blessing the statue on its completion.
According to Thiksey Rinpoche, the Matreiya statue was installed to help spread the teachings of Buddha in general, and for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and to ward off epidemics and calamities. It was also aimed to sustain peace in Nubra valley which is located on the borders of China and Pakistan, he added.
In his address, His Holiness the Dalai Lama praised the efforts made in the successful installation of the Matreiya statue.
His Holiness underlined that one should have the motivation of love in the heart on hearing the name of Matreiya.
His Holiness expressed his appreciation for the progress made in health, education and keeping spiritual vows and disciplines in monastic learning centres due to the efforts of many concerned officials in Ladakh. Speaking on environmental issue, His Holiness said each and every individual of the community should have awareness about the problems of global warming, which he said is related to happiness and well-being of the whole world.
His Holiness said a friend of his has asked him to speak about environment preservation whenever he visits a Himalayan region.
Appealing to the local people to take responsibility in protecting the environment, His Holiness said people living in the Himalayan region should focus on tree plantation, which he said would add to the landscape’s greenery and bring peace and happiness of mind in the day to day life.
Chief Minister Abdullah said the blessing of the Matreiya statue would bring peace and happiness not only to Nubra valley but also to the whole world including India and the entire Jammu & Kashmir state.
It is very fortunate that members of four generations from my family have received the opportunity to meet His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Mr Abdullah said.
Report filed by Jigme Tsering and Namgyal Tsewang of Tibetonline TV
