A saint­-statesman whose life made a big difference to us

When we talk of saints, it is always a pleasure to recall their deeds for the benefit of mankind, and also get inspired to try to do similar deeds. What is more

When we talk of saints, it is always a pleasure to recall their deeds for the benefit of mankind, and also get inspired to try to do similar deeds. What is more inspiring is that their lives make us wonder: How come we have had such great people and yet we are far away from their world of wisdom and farsightedness?

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It was during one such occasion recently that I got a chance, in Leh, to meet scholars from all over the world to debate and discuss and follow the ways of life Kushok Bakula Rinpoche had shown in order to be a better human being in today’s dynamic and progressive society.

The 19th Arhat Bakula, a Bodhisattva and a great saint and statesman that Ladakh has produced, was the centre of focus. Scholars got into a brain-storming session for three days to recount his principles of life to make a better world to live in, aided by science and technology to seek the real meaning of life for everyone.

Nawang Tsering Shakspo, author and an expert on Bakula Rinpoche, and the person behind the show, told me that it was because of Bakula’s secular and scientific ways of life, backed by the fundamentals of truth, love and sympathy that he could go beyond the narrow boundaries of life.

(Inner Voice comprises contributions from our readers. The views expressed are personal.)