Tashi-Gomang Chörten, Relief Panels on the Way to Sankar Gompa in Leh, Ladakh

If you hike up to Sankar Gompa in Leh you pass the Tashi-Gomang Chörten (Stupa) and relief panels of the historic Buddha, Maitreya and Avalokiteshvara.

The stupa has a 16 corner structure and resembles a pyramid [1]. It is dated to the 9th century. There are a lot of empty chambers, which most probably contained Buddha statues and statues of deities or Avalokiteshvara. 

 

 

Sankar Gompa is an affiliate of Spituk Gompa. The late Kushok Bakula Rinpoche (died 2003) perferred this small monastery and lived here most of the time. The be precise he was known as the 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche (1918-2003), who belonged to the Indian parliament and also served as India's ambassador to Mongolia [2]. To honor him Leh airport has been named Kushok Bakula Airport in 2005; if you go to Ladakh by air you will at least see his name. He was recognised by the 13th Dalai Lama as a reincarnation of Bakula Arhat, one of the direct disciples of the historic Buddha. Moreover he was the great-great-great grandson of Tsepel Tondup Namgyal, the last King of Ladakh.

To get to Sankar Gompa one walks through gardens on small paths. Less than a kilometer to the East of the gompa is the road to Khardong-la [3]. More on Sankar Gompa you can read on my other blogpost [4].

 

Links and References:
[1] Mattausch, Jutta: Ladakh und Zanskar (Reiseführer) (Deutsch). 2017.
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_Kushok_Bakula_Rinpoche
[3] https://rheumatologe.blogspot.com/2020/07/a-retreat-on-khardong-pass.html
[4] https://rheumatologe.blogspot.com/2020/07/sankar-gompa-monastery-in-leh-ladakh.html


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Flowering Dharma in Ladakh

In Leh (Ladakh) I had the opportunity to visit Flowering Dharma, which is a youth initiative, which had been established in 2009, when students from Ladakh studying in various colleges of Delhi University wanted to keep the sense of community alive in the big city. Flowering Dharma is based at Raku House, a century-old home, which has been restored as a cultural heritage centre. Their „vision is to instill virtues of compassion and ethics to preserve the culture and tradition“. Flowering Dharma aims „to create a common platform to share and learn the different aspects of each other’s culture to strengthen the sense of shared common humanity“ [1].

Lonely Planet writes about Flowering Dharma: „Raku House also has a cafe, library, shop, movie screenings and a traditional kitchen that offers Ladakhi meals if you book a day ahead“ [2].

Raku House is about 150 years old. The restoration has been done by using traditional methods. Also a way to preserve such skills and knowledge. The Raku family is providing the place free of charge to Flowering Dharma.

More information can be found in the brochure, which may be downloaded [3].

Garbage separation

Members of the Flowering Dharma team

Good bye, Raku House -

I hope to return!

Links and References:
[1] https://floweringdharma.org/about/

[2] https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir/leh/activities/flowering-dharma/a/poi-act/1545543/356310
[3] https://floweringdharma.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/FD-BROCHURE-2020-CURVED_compressed.pdf

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