Aug
17
Buddhist monks (lamas) in Ladakh (and probably everywhere else too) are supposed to be in their robes all the time, even when they are allowed breaks for some leisure. The exception is when they are in Srinagar, the capital of the disputed Indian Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir; if they are identified as lamas, there is the fear of being shot by Muslims. As a rule, they have to be in regular clothes when visiting Srinagar.
This was told to me by Rigzen, a 20-year old lama posted at the Chamba Statue of the Maitreya Buddha in Mulbeck, a 75 minute drive from Kargil when going to Leh during my recent trip to Ladakh. If what he said is true, it just goes on to show how violent elements do not spare even practitioners of a peace loving religion like Buddhism.
He added that the problem is more in Srinagar, and not really in Kargil. While both are a part of the same state, Srinagar has mostly a Muslim population; Kargil has both Muslims and Buddhists, the latter in a majority. Kargil falls under the Ladakh region of the state.
And when trouble does brew between the two religions, Buddhists too can get violent if need be, said Rigzen. It is another matter that the Muslims get the better of Buddhists in Kargil. “It is the other way round in Leh though where the Muslims are in a minority,” he added with a proud smile.
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Julley …
M lobzang tsundus from shargol.
Maitreya budda….