Leh: Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday termed as “special” the presence of Lord Buddha’s sacred relic in Ladakh, saying the long-standing demand of the people of the region has finally been fulfilled at an auspicious time.
The minister was delivering the first Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Memorial Lecture at Nagarjuna Hall of the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh, as part of the 2569th Vesak Buddha Purnima Week celebrations.
“This moment is special for me because, at present, the sacred relic of Lord Buddha is in Ladakh. There have been continuous demands within India to bring the holy relic here, and I have personally received many such requests,” Rijiju said.
He noted that traditionally, Buddha’s relics have not been moved within the country and have often been taken abroad on several occasions.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognised the sentiments of the people of Ladakh, who had been requesting for years that the sacred relic from Piprahwa be brought here,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, Rijiju said the ongoing Vaishakh Buddha Purnima period was the most appropriate time for devotees to have darshan of the relic.
“There could not be a more meaningful time than this for the people of Ladakh,” he added.
The lecture, themed “Peace Beyond Borders”, reflected Ladakh’s spiritual heritage and its enduring message of peace and harmony. The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and offering of khatag to Lord Shakyamuni Buddha and Kushok Bakula Rinpoche.
In his keynote address, Rijiju expressed his privilege in being present during the sacred exposition of the relics and on the auspicious occasion of Buddha Purnima. He highlighted India’s identity as the land of Lord Buddha and reiterated the message of peace and compassion propagated by the country globally.
Recalling the life and contributions of Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, he described him as a visionary leader who played a key role not only in Ladakh but also in strengthening India’s cultural and spiritual ties with countries such as Mongolia.
Rijiju said Rinpoche contributed significantly to promoting modern education in Ladakh while preserving Buddhist traditions and serving society through public life despite numerous challenges.
He urged the younger generation to draw inspiration from his life and assured continued support from the government of India for the development of Ladakh and the preservation of its Buddhist heritage.
