LEH: In a significant reaffirmation of Ladakh’s long-standing tradition of communal harmony and peaceful coexistence, representatives of various religious organisations of Leh-Ladakh jointly hosted a luncheon in honour of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at the Jevtsal Prayer Ground in Choglamsar, here today.
The gathering brought together representatives of different faith communities, including Buddhist, Muslim and Christian organisations, in an atmosphere of warmth, respect and spiritual fellowship. The event served not merely as a formal reception for His Holiness, but as a symbolic expression of Ladakh’s distinctive social and cultural ethos, where people belonging to different faiths have historically lived together with mutual respect and understanding.
Welcoming His Holiness as the Chief Guest, President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA), Tsering Dorjey Lakrok, expressed gratitude to him for accepting the joint invitation and for blessing the people of Ladakh with his presence and teachings.
He emphasised the significance of His Holiness’s visit and the affection and respect with which he is regarded by the people of Ladakh. His presence, he said, provided an opportunity for different communities to come together and reaffirm their shared commitment to peace, compassion and harmony.
Representing the Shia Muslim community, Sheikh Nazir Shariefi, Vice President of Anjuman Imamia Leh-Ladakh, conveyed heartfelt gratitude to His Holiness. He highlighted the deep respect that exists among Ladakh’s diverse religious communities for the Dalai Lama and his consistent message of peace, non-violence, compassion and harmony.
The participation of Muslim representatives in the joint programme underlined the spirit of interfaith cooperation that has long been associated with Ladakh. The gathering demonstrated that religious diversity can coexist with a strong sense of shared identity and social responsibility.
Pastor Deachen Chamgha, President of the Christian community, also extended warm greetings and expressed gratitude to His Holiness for his presence. Stressing the importance of unity and compassion, he said that mutual understanding between communities is essential for building a peaceful and inclusive society.
The President of Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam, in his address, described the occasion as much more than a luncheon or a ceremonial gathering. He said it represented the very spirit of Ladakh—a region where different faiths, cultures and traditions have coexisted peacefully for generations.
He described His Holiness the Dalai Lama as an “epitome of world peace and harmony”, whose life and teachings have inspired millions of people across the world. He underlined the importance of preserving Ladakh’s unique tradition of mutual respect at a time when societies across the world are increasingly seeking ways to promote peaceful coexistence and understanding among communities.
The gathering therefore carried a wider message beyond the immediate occasion. The participation of representatives of different faiths demonstrated the importance of dialogue, tolerance and respect in maintaining social harmony and strengthening the bonds between communities.
The President of the Ladakh Gonpa Association, Gen Dorjey, delivered the vote of thanks. He expressed gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and representatives of all participating religious organisations for joining the occasion and contributing to its significance.
The programme was further enriched by a traditional cultural presentation by Ladakhi and Tibetan artists. His Holiness witnessed the performances and appreciated the cultural programme, which added a distinct traditional character to the gathering.
The cultural performances also reflected the close historical and cultural links between Ladakh and the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, while providing an opportunity for the gathering to celebrate the region’s rich cultural heritage.
During the event, speakers collectively expressed their deep respect and affection for His Holiness and offered prayers for his good health, long life and continued guidance and blessings for the people of Ladakh and humanity at large.
The luncheon concluded on a note of renewed commitment to strengthening interfaith understanding and preserving Ladakh’s cherished traditions of peace, harmony, tolerance, compassion and mutual respect.
The event was significant not only because it honoured a revered spiritual leader but also because it brought different religious communities together under one platform. At a time when communal harmony and peaceful coexistence remain important concerns across the world, the gathering in Leh offered a powerful reminder of Ladakh’s traditional values of living together with dignity, respect and understanding.
For Ladakh, where religious and cultural diversity forms an integral part of its social fabric, such occasions provide an important platform for strengthening community relations and passing the values of tolerance and harmony to future generations.
The joint gesture by the religious organisations thus emerged as a reaffirmation of Ladakh’s identity as a land where diversity is respected, dialogue is valued and peaceful coexistence remains a shared responsibility.
