-Rinchen Angmo

snow, morning. Today is Galdan Ngamchot. My upcoming exams seem more meaningless, futile than ever before. A flash of suffering and then the realization of the emptiness of everything. Emptiness, that’s the key. Buddhism tells one to understand emptiness, and hence gain meaning in life. Today, on the day of Galdan Ngamchot, this realization is somehow more sound. Maybe there is something about auspicious days, when the energy around conspires for the first time to liberate you and not vice versa. So what am I celebrating on Galdan Ngamchot I ask myself. 

Originally Ladakh used to celebrate Losar at the same time as the Tibetans and neighbouring Himalayan regions. However, Ladakh’s King Jamyang Namgyal (1560-1590) intended to lead a military expedition to Baltistan. Hence, he decided to celebrate Losar on the first day of the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar. The first day of celebrations, however, commences on the twenty-fifth day of the tenth month, which is Galdan Ngamchot (today). This day marks the birthday of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

( source- Nawang Tsering Shakspo le ,xiii).

Traditionally people used to light butter lamps and illuminate their houses. These days people also use candles. While lighting the lamps and candles people sing a prayer ‘Bulo-Bulo’. Through the prayer one conveys that one is offering the lighted butter lamps to the various Lamas(Bodhisattvas), Sangyas(Buddha), Chhos(Buddhist scripture), Gendun(monks). If one thinks about the prayer, it’s clear that the prayers are not unto oneself but unto others who work towards the liberation of sentient beings from suffering. 

As I write this I can hear the prayers from Gompa Soma. Perhaps one day, we can liberate ourselves and others too. Until then wish you an auspicious Galdan Ngamchot.