By Tenzin Dharpo
CHOGLAMSAR, LADAKH, Aug 13: The Tibetan Leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama currently in Ladakh for teachings and other engagements had to call off a visit to a village near the sensitive and disputed border between India and Tibet following road damage last week.
Among his itinerary during his stay here in Ladakh, the Tibetan leader was earlier scheduled to visit the village of Phobrang, just a few kilometers from Pangong Lake where the Line of Actual Control (LAC) lies. India claims a stretch of more than 20 kms of the stagnant lake which is in Tibet, currently controlled by China.
The reason for the cancellation of the trip was apparently due to damage caused to the road linking the Lake and Leh, the Ladakhi capital. A local source who wishes to remain anonymous told Phayul that the trip has indeed been cancelled due to damaged road. Incidents of tourists as well as Army vehicles being stranded were reported following heavy traffic caused by the blockade on the road leading to Pangong Lake. “The Dalai Lama was earlier scheduled to visit the village of Phobrang. The schedule has now been cancelled due to road damaged by heavy rain,” the source said.
The Ladakh Buddhist Association which coordinates the Ladakh schedule of the Tibetan leader told Phayul that the said trip was not in the list of schedule of the Dalai Lama, without giving further details. The sensitive area near Pangong Lake requires Inner Line Permit for any individual besides Indian nationals. The Nobel laureate had earlier visited the Shachukul region in Changthang region in 2012.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama on August 11 (Tuesday) concluded his three day schedule at Thiksey monastery where he gave teachings on Atisha’s Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment (jangchup lamdron) and Nagarjuna’s Commentary on Bodhicitta (jangchup semdrel) and on the final day conferred the long life empowerment to close to 7000 people. The same day, Indian film star Salman Khan who is on a shoot in Ladakh had an audience with the Nobel Laureate after the teachings were concluded at Thiksey Monastery.
Next week, starting August 19 and 20, His Holiness will give a teaching on Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (chodjug) at Shewatsel Teaching Ground. The next day, His Holiness will confer the Avalokiteshvara Initiation (chenrezig wang) at Shewaitsel Teaching Ground before departing for Dharamshala.
