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Monks And Politics In Ladakh

By Stanzin Dawa

04 December, 2006
Countercurrents.org

Monks and politics in Ladakh have got a long association from the beginning of India independence. In fact Ladakh's representation in the mainstream Indian politics was introduced with Kushok Bakula as a political representative of the people. His role was not confining to conventional spiritual leader, he actively participated in various social, political and economic reforms in Ladakh.

Nehru with his immaculate diplomatic skills had convinced the Rinpoche in 1949 about the significance of his participation in Politics for the larger interest of Ladakh. It reflects Nehru's vision and understanding of the people and culture, a community which has high regards for spiritual leaders. In his fifty years of public life under different important positions Kushok Bakula has worked as a good will ambassador of Ladakh. Rinpoche efficiently served Ladakh under different positions as a MLA, Minister in the State Government, the Chairman of the NMC and as the Indian Ambassador to Mongolia.

Over the years the nature and character of Ladakh politics has gone through unprecedented change. The political contour of Ladakh reflects different hills and valleys, some hills and valleys are found to be life threatening. As many people are of the opinion that the recent politics in Leh lacks clarity of purpose, vision and morality; it's a highly inflammatory politics that encourage fragmentation in the name of parties, sects, caste, region etc. It's like a whirlpool drawing everything we have collectively nurtured and developed. Instead of developing Ladakh this politics is doing more damages and destructions. I think this is a Politics of Ladakh Destruction (PLD) the real effects may not be visible in the short run but still we can visualize the ugliness and dirt of such politics in our Ladakh, our villages, our institutions, our government, our family and our people.

Followed by Kushok Bakula many other head monks have actively involved in electoral and party politics in Ladakh. During my short audience with Sras Rinpoche in Delhi (on 2nd December 2006), we have discussed on various issues related with the language conflict, religion and politics, role of monastery in spreading Dharma etc. The whole conversation was a beautiful process to understand the wisdom of a renowned spiritual master on different socio political and religious issues. Mostly Rinpoche responded to my questions before I finished. "Do you consider that religion and politics should be isolated?" I asked. 'Yes I do', said Sras Rinpoche clearly and convincingly. "I am sure you must have got invitations to join party politics in the past" "Yes I got invitation from different sources but I was committed to practice my Dharma." "Can we expect that you won't be taking up any political position in the future?" "Neither had I taken up any political position in the past nor will I be in the future." In a deep soothing tone Sras Rinpoche has shown his concern and fears that the teachings of the Buddha had mostly confined to the monks and monasteries. "The Dharma should not be the monopoly of monks and monasteries. It should reach to the people, so that it helps them in dealing with their lives to come out of the sufferings" said Rinpoche.

How the teachings of the Buddha can be reached to the people, when our head monks were/are busy in the politics? If religious leaders fail to perform their fundamental responsibilities it affects the culture of peace, governance, development, human relationship. The history of political development in Ladakh reflects that the head monks except few were either remained the political king or the king maker or breaker. It affects the integrity and sanctity of the people's sentiments and injures religious faith and fabrics. Is it possible to have a secular politics with the active involvement of the religious leaders? With the advancement of modern development and greater political autonomy the politics of Ladakh has corrupted with communal element that perpetuates insecurity and fears among the people.

Its better late than never; the Khenpo Rinpoche's decision to renounce from the electoral politics has got both appreciation and criticism from different sources. Those who were of the opinion that Rinpoche should pursue the religious duties as well as those who would love to see a weak and fragmenting LUTF were little excited and amused on this decision. Those who are aware about the mileage of Rinpoche being in the politics for LUTF were little depressed and disappointed with the same decision. Many people see the recent political conflict between Buddhist leaders in Leh as a manifestation of failure of spiritual leaders in discharging their fundamental responsibilities to spread the message of Buddha. This is indeed not good for Ladakhi Buddhist community in particular and Ladakh in general. Short sighted political or religious leaders from other faith be it Muslims or Christians must be excited over the collateral damages due to conflict between principal Buddhist leaders. Those who have a clear vision must be worrying that the conflict may evolve into a communal riot in order to get political benefit. I am sure they must be thinking and working for building a culture of peace.

Kushok Bakula getting into the mainstream India politics was need of the time, as we were not having qualified educated leader during that period. Fortunately today the situation is different we have many modern educated leaders who are familiar with the constitution of India as well as J&K and their policies and programmes. They need spiritual master who can guide them in doing service to the mankind by transcending all differences and prejudices. Today the winds of all the places, culture and corporations are blowing in the hills and valleys of Ladakh at a Super Sonic speed like never before, we have witnessed that its not only uprooting our language, culture, economy, families, religion, villages but also people and their feelings. In such a situation the role of religious leaders has become more significant and more challenging like never before. While saluting the contributions and accomplishments of Khenpo Rinpoche in the socio political development of Ladakh I must wish him good luck in venturing in the spiritual world.

Someone rightly said that there is nothing good and bad but thinking makes it so. The good for someone may be bad for some other. The test of a true leader can be made in a crisis situation. Many people feel that the captain has jumped out of the ship while the crew and ship were struggling in the middle of the tempest. Ladakh needs a leadership with a vision to integrate both Leh and Kargil while resolving the destructive conflicts between and within the parties, religion, region and leaders. Instead of taking such challenging responsibility Rinpoche preferred to take refugee in Dharma. How can Rinpoche concentrate on Dharma; when leaders are fighting on pity issues? When development is not going at the right pace and in the right direction? When people are losing faith in the politics and leadership? When the larger interests of the people are compromised? Many people do suspect that the captain may navigate the ship again once the tempest calms down. It's a matter of chance because the choice may already be dwelling deep in the heart. Let's wait and watch. LUTF requested Rinpoche to reconsider his decision. Will they be successful in convincing Rinpoche? Do they have a charismatic leader like Nehru who had convinced Kushok Bakula?

Ideally, and perhaps in the earliest culture of Buddhism, the monk was a person who renounced material goods and lived on the generosity of the householder, devoting all of his time to the quest for liberation from the cycle of birth and death. But today, there are monks who are politicians, businessman, hoteliers, contractors, trucks and taxi owners. We have many monks who are millionaires and possess luxurious houses, cars, sophisticated technologies, except the maroon dress and clean shaved head it would be difficult to distinguish them from other worldly men. Are they on the right path for their liberation?

May we wish Khenpo Rinpoche to be successful in his endeavour to practice Dharma for the benefits of all sentient beings even to his political rivals? I believe spiritual leadership is more challenging than the political leadership because here one has to be truthful and peaceful every time, every where and with every one. For the sake of Ladakh; Let the right person should be at the right place for the right cause; so that we shall over come some day…

The author can be reached at: [email protected]



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