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Buddhism came to Ladakh through Tibet and today Ladakh is among the very few places where the spirit of Mahayana Tradition of Buddhism is flourishing freely and remains intact. Many also call it Tibetan Buddhism. Every village has a beautiful Gompa (Monastery ) mostly atop a mountain with a commanding location within the village area. Many of them were among the great centers of learning and occupies important place in the history of Ladakh. Noted among them are Alchi Choskor, Hemis Gompa, Lamayuru Gompa, Rizong Gompa, Thiksey Gompa, Likir Gompa, Phiyang Gompa, Spituk Gompa, Takthok Gompa, Chemday Gompa among others. On the other hand Stok Palace, Tingmosgang Palace, Shey Palace are the noted ancient palaces some of which are in ruins and others still attract lot of pilgrims. Ladakh also has the presence of all major school of Mahayana Tradition like Gelukspa, Drukpa, Karmapa, Drigungpa etc. The approach to a Buddhist village is invariably marked by mani walls which are long, chest-high structures faced with engraved stones bearing Buddhist mantra, and by chorten (commemorative cairns). |
