Shewatsel, Leh, Ladakh, India, 23 August 2023: His Holiness the Dalai Lama was invited to lunch in the Abispang garden of Spituk monastery by the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and the All-Ladakh Gonpa Association (LGA). The road along which he drove was lined by the faithful in their best clothes with flowers in their hands.

Former MP and current President of the LBA, Thupstan Tsewang, briefly welcomed His Holiness and thanked him for having visited Ladakh once again, for giving teachings, and for having given audience to so many of the people of Ladakh.

Addressing members of the audience as, “My dear dharma brothers and sisters”, His Holiness told them that he was pleased to come to Ladakh for several weeks to avoid the humidity of the rainy season in the lower regions of India that include Dharamshala, his long-term residence in Himachal Pradesh.

“The people of Ladakh have shown me great devotion to me and clearly have sincere faith in the teaching of the Buddha. I’ve been pleased also to see the friendship and camaraderie that exists here between Muslims, Buddhists and people of other faiths.

“After Tibet lost its freedom, I came into exile, and since then I have observed the unchanging faith and dedication of the people of the Himalayan region from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. On this occasion too, I was able to come to Ladakh and give some teachings. I would like to thank everyone here, lay people, monastics, our Muslim friends and others for their friendship and warm-heartedness. The people of the Himalayan region hold me close in their hearts, and I feel close to them too.”