LBA Committees

The Constitution of the LBA provides for setting up committees for different tasks. These committees are established to study and deal with various matters that cannot be directly handled by the Executive Body of the LBA due to the heavy workload of the Executive Body.

The LBA has two types of committees: standing or permanent committees and ad hoc committees. The Standing Committees, which are permanent in nature are constituted periodically and work on a continuous basis, while Ad hoc Committees are constituted on a temporary basis and cease to exist on completion of the task assigned to them. Usually, these committees are headed by one of the executive members of the LBA.

LBA Committees
  • Chowkhang Reconstruction Committee
  • Fund Raising Committee for Chowkhang Reconstruction
  • Education Committee
  • Mediation Committee
  • Event Organising Committee
  • Bhoti Language and Culture Committee
  • Conservation and Promotion of Culture & Heritage Committee
  • Social Reform Committee

The Chokhang Reconstruction Committee is dedicated to rebuilding and renovating the Chokhang temple complex, blending traditional design elements with modern amenities to create a vibrant and functional space for the Ladakh Buddhist community.

Aims and Objectives:
  1. Blend Tradition with Modernity: Reconstruct the temple while maintaining its traditional architectural style and incorporating modern features that enhance its functionality and appeal.
     
  2. Modern Amenities: Introduce modern amenities to improve the overall experience of visitors and community members, including advanced audio-visual systems, comfortable seating, and accessible facilities.
     
  3. Heritage Example: Set an example of heritage preservation and promotion, showcasing the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Ladakh's Buddhist community.
     
  4. Spacious Design: Design a spacious complex that meets the needs of the community, providing ample space for worship, gatherings, and other activities.
     
  5. Multipurpose Complex: Develop a Chokhang complex that encompasses:
    • LBA Offices: Providing a central location for the Ladakh Buddhist Association's administrative activities.
    • Conference Hall: A versatile space for meetings, events, and conferences that can accommodate large groups.
    • Community Kitchen: A facility for serving large gatherings, promoting community bonding and social interaction.
    • Underground Parking Space: A convenient and secure parking facility for visitors and community members.
       
  6. Sustainable Development: Incorporate sustainable design principles and practices to minimize the complex's environmental impact and ensure its long-term viability.
     
  7. Community Engagement: Foster community involvement and participation in the reconstruction process, ensuring that the complex meets the needs and expectations of its users.

Committee Structure:

Committee Members:
  • Engineers: Experts in construction and infrastructure development.
  • Architects: Specialists in traditional and modern architectural design.
  • Other Experts and Stakeholders: Individuals with relevant expertise and experience, including cultural preservationists, community leaders, and local authorities.

The Chokhang Reconstruction Committee is committed to creating a vibrant and functional complex that serves the needs of the Ladakh Buddhist community while preserving its cultural heritage. By blending tradition with modernity, incorporating sustainable design principles, and fostering community engagement, the committee aims to develop a complex that is both a spiritual hub and a symbol of community pride

The Fundraising Committee for the Chokhang Reconstruction Project aims to secure financial support for the reconstruction and renovation of the Chokhang temple complex.

Aims and Objectives:

  1. Secure Funding: Raise sufficient funds to cover the costs of the reconstruction project.
  2. Donor Engagement: Identify and engage with potential donors, including individuals, organizations, and institutions.
  3. Community Involvement: Encourage community participation and contributions to the fundraising effort.
  4. Transparent Management: Manage funds transparently and efficiently, ensuring accountability to donors and stakeholders.
  5. Committee Members: Explore sustainable funding options, including endowments and recurring donations.

The Fundraising Committee plays a crucial role in supporting the Chokhang Reconstruction Project, enabling the Ladakh Buddhist Association to achieve its goals and objectives.

Education is a never-ending journey. The aims of the Education Committee or its primary goal is to promote a holistic development of children of the Buddhist community. As the child grows, the results of education are visible in the form of a better and more prosperous life. This is mainly because education empowers people to become mindful of their liberties and obligations in a societal structure. The answer to the question of what is the aim of education, is that education equips children with cognitive ability, physical growth, morals, and ideas. In this way, by empowering future citizens, education also benefits society at large.

To provide quality education to the children of the poorest section of the Buddhist community, two institutions had been set up by the LBA, namely-Riglam School, Choglamsar and Jamyang School, Khaltse. These two schools are completely owned and run by the LBA. The LBA Executive Body in consultation with the Central Working Committee frames rules and regulations for the efficient functioning of these institutions. The schools' Management Committee consists of members from the LBA Executive Body and the Central Working Committee. Apart from them, the Management Committee also have highly experienced and committed Buddhist educationists who have wide range of practical experience in running such institutions. The Committee may organize seminars, workshops, debates & discussions and conferences, to highlight the importance of education in general and to elevate the education level of the lower section of the Buddhist community in particular. The Committee may also interact and coordinate with any public or private institution dealing with education and research.
 The committee usually invites educationists, experts, scholars, and young professionals to conduct seminars, workshops, conferences, debate & discussion.
 

The Mediation Committee, which is popularly known as Shaks Committee consists of members who are well versed in legal field, have interpersonal skills, negotiation skills and good judgement.The Mediation Committee's task is to help people resolve disputes by facilitating discussion and guiding them toward a mutually acceptable agreement. The Committee resolves many complex disputes and issues in the shortest possible duration without involving any cost. The members of the committee who are basically mediators, are neutral third parties. They call the parties involved in a dispute to their office to help them negotiate a resolution.The Mediation Committee receives complaints of various nature including: family disputes-such as problems between family members over entitlements after a bereavement, or issues around property, children, and other assets during separation or divorce,business transactions-such as problems that can arise when parties fail to agree on the final price of a business asset sale, or compensation for laid-off staff, housing matters-such as tenant/landlord disputes, commercial disputes-such as neighbour issues.
 

The Ladakh Buddhist Association's Event Organising Committee plays a vital role in promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Ladakh's Buddhist community. The committee is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing events that showcase the region's unique traditions, customs, and values.

Objectives and Functions

The committee's primary objectives are:

  • Promote Cultural Exchange: Organize events that foster cultural exchange between different communities, promoting mutual understanding and respect.
  • Preserve Buddhist Heritage:  Showcase and preserve the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Ladakh's Buddhist community through events, exhibitions, and performances.
  • Community Engagement: Encourage community participation and involvement in events, promoting a sense of unity and belonging among members.
  • Education and Awareness:  Educate people about the history, customs, and traditions of Ladakh's Buddhist community, promoting awareness and appreciation.
  • Cultural Diplomacy: Represent Ladakh's Buddhist community at national and international events, promoting cultural exchange and understanding.

Events and Activities

The committee organizes various events, including:

  • Buddha Jayanti celebrations
  • Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations
  • Cultural shows during visits of spiritual leaders like His Holiness the Dalai Lama
  • His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Birthday celebrations
  • Losar Celebrations
  • Cultural troupes to participate in national and international events
Key Responsibilities

The committee's key responsibilities include:

  • Event Planning: Plan and execute events that promote Ladakh's Buddhist culture.
  • Budgeting and Fundraising: Manage finances, secure sponsorships, and organize fundraising events.
  • Marketing and Promotion: Promote events through various channels, including social media, local press, and community networks.
  • Logistics and Coordination:  Oversee event logistics, including venue management, catering, and decorations.
  • Community Engagement: Engage with the community, ensuring their participation and involvement in events.
  • Cultural Preservation:  Ensure that events and activities promote the preservation of Ladakh's Buddhist culture and heritage.

By working together, the Event Organising Committee can create meaningful events that showcase the richness of Ladakh's Buddhist culture, promote community engagement, and preserve the region's unique heritage.

Committee Structure

The committee consists of:

1. Chairperson
2. Coordinator
3. Convener
4. Ex-Officio Members:
    • President, Youth Wing
    • President, Women Wing
    • Presidents/Heads of the following societies, including:
        - Kartses Lhuyangs Tsogspa, Mane Sermo
        - Kartses Lhuyangs Tsogspa, Choglamsar
        - Kartses Lhuyangs Tsogspa, Chuchot
        - Kartses Lhuyangs Tsogspa, Spituk
        - Cultural and Traditional Society (CATS)
        - LASOL
        - Sindhu Sangram
        - LTO
        - Goba Tsogspa
        - Goba Thundel Tsogspa

A Committee for Promotion of Boti Language and Culture has been constituted. The mandate of this Committee is to explore and recommend pathways for the holistic and multi-disciplinary growth of Boti language and to preserve the rich culture of Ladakh. To achieve its mandate, the Committee may organize seminars, workshops, conferences, and webinars to highlight the need for the promotion of the Boti language. It may also interact and coordinate with any public or private institution that deals with teaching, research, and extension/promotion of languages.
The Committee usually invites  experts, scholars, young professionals on a short-term basis to conduct seminars, workshops, webinars etc. The Committee also organises short term courses in the Boti language and culture, and provides participants with certificates. Another important mandate of this Committee is to find ways and means to push for inclusion of the Boti language in the VIII Schedule of the Constitution.

The Conservation and Promotion of Heritage Committee consists of members who are well known in this particular field, especially expert in conservation work of ancient monuments and other heritage sites. Conservation of heritage sites and buildings provide a sense of unique identity to a region or community and continuity in a fast-changing world. The heritage sites and buildings represent the past history and culture of a region or community. A heritage site is a place that preserves the cultural, social and political history of a place.
Ladakh had its own existence as a kingdom till it was conquered by Dogra rule and later became part of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state and now a separate entity as centrally ruled Union Territory.   Thus Ladakh boast a rich political history with rich culture and heritage sites. The musical heritage and cultural legacy of Ladakh is enchantingly rich, colourful and splendorous. Ladakhi folk music and dance have no equivalent. Distinct in display and performance, a variety of cultures of different regions such as Changthang, Zanskar, Nubra, Sham and Aryan valley influenced the performing arts of the land. The need of the hour is to preserve these tangible and intangible assets to maintain the unique identity of Ladakh.

This Committee comprises members who are well known in Ladakhi culture, tradition and customs. The main aim of this Committee is to eradicate social evils which already exist, and to check unhealthy practices and traditions that are being developed nowadays.
With the passage of time, every society/community tends to change, so is the Buddhist community of Ladakh. Ladakh is well known for its rich culture, heritage and traditions.
Buddha's teachings are often described as anti-caste and built on the belief that all people are created equal. The Buddha believed in a person's qualities, not in their caste, and the ideal of the sangha's collective well-being rejects the practice of unequal accumulation by castes. Buddha had also raised his voice against social oppression and caste discrimination, and helped to uplift women by making education and religion accessible to them.