Shri Kushok G. Bakula political profile

Members Bioprofile 

BAKULA, SHRI K. G. (Cong.) Jammu and Kashmir-Ladakh—1971, Son of Shri Nangwa Thaiyas; b. at Ladakh, May 19, 1917; ed. at Drespung Monastery in Tibet and obtained ‘Geshess Lharampa’, the highest degree in Buddhistic studies and Metaphysics, securing the first position in the Institution; Unmarried; Buddhist Monk; Head Lama of Ladakh; previously associated with National Conference; President, National Conference Leh, 1949-53; Member, Jammu & Kashmir State Legislature, 1951-67; Deputy Minister for Ladakh Affairs, J & K Government, 1953-57; Minister of State for Ladakh Affairs and Trade Agencies, J & K Government, 1957-62; Minister for Ladakh Affairs for six months (1963-64); Minister of State for Health, Local Self-Government, Ladakh Affairs and Trade Agencies between 1964-67; was Member Reception Committee formed by Government of India for the celebration of 2,500th Buddha Jayanti in 1955; Ex-Member, Managing Board of Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok; Member, Jammu & Kashmir University Syndicate, 1953-57; was Member of Committee for promoting cooperation of Asian Buddhists for peace in Mongolia; Delegate to the 16th World Conference against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs held at Tokyo; President National Congress of District Ladakh since 1967; Member, Executive Committee of J & K National Conference/Congress since, 1953; Member, Fourth Lok Sabha, 1967-70; Member, Consultative Committee for Defence, Education and Planning and was also connected with several Parliamentary Committees. 

Social activities.—Dedicated himself to the cause of re-establishing and strengthening the religious Institutions and faith of the people through proper teaching, meditation and meditational practice, worked for the preservation and promotion of the traditional arts and cultural philosophy and religious literature; occupies a distinct position among the religious leaders in the Buddhist World; Member, International Meditation Centre, Bodh Gaya; President, (i) Ladakh Bauddha Vihara, Delhi, (ii) Ladakh Institute of Higher Studies, Delhi and (iii) Gompa Association, Leh; Member, Bhutan Maitri Sangh; President, Mahabodhi Ashoka Mission of India, Ajmer; Member, Managing Board of Buddhist Philosophy School, Leh; Member, Governing Body, Tibet House, Delhi.

Worked for the economic and cultural development of Ladakh; introduced several schemes including facilities of irrigation, improvement of agricultural methods and electrification; worked for the abolition of polyandry; spread of education and modernisation of the people hitherto comparatively backward.

Hobby.—Photography.

Favourite pastime and recreation.—Meditation and study of Tibetan and Hindi Literature.

Special interests.—Preaching the teachings of the Buddha and giving discourses on the Buddha Dharma, offering of prayers.

Accomplishments in letters, art and science.—Recognised as one of the greatest living scholars of Tibetan Language particularly Tibetan literature, studied Buddhist literature for 17 years, out of which 14 years were spent in Lhasa; Scholar of Mahayan School of Buddhist Thought.

Publications.—Published several commentaries on a number of Buddhist scriptures in Tibetan language.

Sports and Clubs.—Archery. 

Travels abroad.—Burma, Nepal, Tibet, Thailand, Japan, Mongolia, Hong Kong and U.S.S.R.

Permanent address.—C/o Samkar Gompa, Leh (Ladakh), J & K.