Dalai Lama lays foundation stone for reconstruction of Jokhang Vihara in Leh

9 months ago

By Tsering Dhundup

DHARAMSHALA, Aug 4: Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the historic Jokhang (Chowkhang) Vihara in Leh’s main market, marking a significant moment for Ladakh’s Buddhist community on Sunday.

The old temple, a cherished pilgrimage centre and home to a sacred statue of Buddha Shakyamuni crafted in Lhasa and transported to Leh in pieces, had been demolished after developing irreparable cracks caused by flooding and heavy rain.

In his address, His Holiness called the loss of the old structure “a blessing in disguise”, likening it to the Tibetan exile in India, which allowed the community to reconnect with the land where Buddhism originated. He urged that the new temple should not only be rebuilt as a place of worship but also serve as a...

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