Rinpoche entered Indian politics in 1949. Rinpoche had told a journal published from Ladakh that he joined politics on being advised by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru when he was on a visit to Ladakh with Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah.
Rinpoche believed that his entering politics would benefit many people. He focused on bringing educational facilities to the people of Ladakh, as he believed that only that could transform the lives of his people.
Rinpoche was also a member of the Indian parliament. He served as the Indian Ambassador to Mongolia for ten years. He single handedly transformed and revitalised Buddhism in Mongolia. It is for this reason that he is remembered by the people of Mongolia. For his benevolent missions to bring peace and harmony in Monogolia he was called ‘Elchin Bagsha’ meaning the teacher ambassador.
Rinpoche was conferred the ‘Polar Star by the President of Mongolia on 26 June 2001 in recognition of his contribution towards the promotion and strengthening of Indo-Mongolian relations. The ‘Polar Star is the third highest state order conferred on citizens and is rarely conferred on foreigners.
Rinpoche was a true devotee of Buddhism and a loyal follower of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He had traveled to Tibet to study Buddhism in 1926. He took his vows of ordained monk from the thirteenth Dalai Lama and acquired his Geshe Lharampa degree (equivalent of Ph.D in Buddhist philosophy) in 1940.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has declared 3-day state mourning as a mark of respect to Bakula.
Born at Matho on May 21, 1917 and educated in Tibet, Bakula was one of the very few surviving members of the State Constituent Assembly from 1951-57. He was an MLA from 1957-67, minister from 1953-67 and MP of Congress Party from 1967-77. He was also a member of the National Minorities Commission.
Condolence Message
The members of the Kashag of the Central Tibetan Administration deeply mourn the sad demise of Bakula Rinpoche.
He was a person full of knowledge and insight. The people of India, especially of Ladakh, owe a great debt of gratitude to him because of his immense contributions in religious and political fields.
With unshakeable faith in His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Rinpoche has shown deep concern for the cause of Tibet and made tremendous contributions towards the welfare of the Tibetans in exile for the past forty-four years, for which Tibetans remain indebted for generations.
On behalf of the Tibetans inside and outside Tibet, the Kashag prays for the fulfillment of Rinpoche’s wishes and for an immediate true reincarnation of him so that he can continue the great work left unfinished by his predecessor.
We also express our deep condolence and sadness to the people of Ladakh and the monks and staff at Rinpoche’s Monastery.
The Kashag,
Central Tibetan Administration.
Dated: 4th November 2003.
