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Kashag Mourns the Demise of a Diplomat Lama
Dharamsala 6, November: One of the most revered Buddhist figures of Ladakh, Kyabje Bakula Rinpoche, breathed his last on the morning of 4 November. The Central Tibetan Administration held a mourning session at the Kashag hall which was attended by the Kalon Tripa and his colleagues in the Kashag and issued a statement of condolence.
Bakula Rinpoche with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Jawaharlal Nehru
photo: Ladags Melong |
Rinpoche entered Indian politics in 1949. Rinpoche had told a journal published from Ladakh that he joined politics on being advised by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru when he was on a visit to Ladakh with Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah.
Rinpoche believed that his entering politics would benefit many people. He focused on bringing educational facilities to the people of Ladakh, as he believed that only that could transform the lives of his people.
Rinpoche was also a member of the Indian parliament. He served as the Indian Ambassador to Mongolia for ten years. He single handedly transformed and revitalised Buddhism in Mongolia. It is for this reason that he is remembered by the people of Mongolia. For his benevolent missions to bring peace and harmony in Monogolia he was called ‘Elchin Bagsha’ meaning the teacher ambassador.
Rinpoche was conferred the ‘Polar Star by the President of Mongolia on 26 June 2001 in recognition of his contribution towards the promotion and strengthening of Indo-Mongolian relations. The ‘Polar Star is the third highest state order conferred on citizens and is rarely conferred on foreigners.
Rinpoche was a true devotee of Buddhism and a loyal follower of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He had traveled to Tibet to study Buddhism in 1926. He took his vows of ordained monk from the thirteenth Dalai Lama and acquired his Geshe Lharampa degree (equivalent of Ph.D in Buddhist philosophy) in 1940.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared 3-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Bakula.
Born at Matho on May 21, 1917 and educated in Tibet, Bakula was one of the very few surviving members of the State Constituent Assembly from 1951-57. He was an MLA from 1957-67, minister from 1953-67 and MP of Congress Party from 1967-77. He was also a member of the National Minorities Commission.
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