At a Glance :

Region : Ladakh

Religion's Form : Monastic or Lamaist

Buddhism religion has extended, till the valley of Kashmir, even at Kargil which is located in Ladakh. This religion is a predominant religion in the region of Lamaist and Tibet.. As the Kashmiri people always look forward to Mecca, the same way Ladakhis Buddhist people look towards the Lhasa because of assuming Ladakh as small Tibet, is wrong. There is much proof, that shows the influence of Tibet. The dominance of  Buddhist people increased; it was so much that, people used it for the scripts of Tibet for religious books like Kandshur and you will get to see the clear influence of Tibetan architecture, through the design of the structures like Leh Palace. This palace has many similar features with the Potala, which is in Lhasa region.

There is a form of Buddhism religion which is known as Lamaism. It is highly dominated by Tibet's religion of pre Buddhist Bon. You can observe this form of Buddhism on the banners and the stones which shows the images and carvings of Gods and the Bon demons. At the peak of the Lamaist region's temple, is a divine power of the Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani; but in the temples, there are plenty of other demons and Gods. The images of the Gods fully cover the several monasteries' walls. Their people believe that  within the Gompas , there are some unique and different incarnations. Lamaism is a religion's contemplative side; the study of this Lamaism has very long hours, to do meditation by the priest. The important factors of Buddhism Lamanist are from the rituals which are in practice and which are followed and believed by the Ladakhi Buddhist, like Chortens, holy tombs, pilgrimages Gompas, Mani walls, chanting mantras and prayer wheels. For the people situated in Ladakh, their moment in their life is of observing their Lamaist religion. Lamaism people  came to Ladakh during the tenth century. Lamaist is the religion of the Ladakh from 632 AD, during that time Ladakh was under rule of King Srongbtsan. This religion was the addition,that happened because of the influence of the magician, his name was Padmasambhava.

The monasteries of Ladakh region are derived from the 2 sects, which are called as yellow caps and red caps. In these 2 sects, the yellow cap sect is a reformed and it follows the great personality Dalai Lama, he is the reincarnation of the Buddhist religions Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. These 2 sects are also distributed in the Saskin, Dukpa, Nyingma Scholls and Dekong which wear maroon and red robes or caps, Ludok and Gyaldon which wear the yellow cap. The very essential element of Ladakh's Buddhist society. Lamas of the Ladakh is not really committed to priesthood, their people also work as a medics, teachers, astrologers and physician. Women of Ladakh are also committed to Buddhist order, which is mostly called as a Tschomohs. Women also have to shave their head. Both these people work in the Gompa field. The head person of the monastery, called as ‘Khaushak’; the next person or sub head is known as ‘Loban’. All the Buddhism places of Tibet have a huge importance in the reincarnation of doctrine. Tibetan people believe when any person dies, his spirit or soul is probably born one more time but in another’s body. There is similarity in the both the Tibet and Ladakh people’s belief, because both of them believe in not killing any insect and fly. These people save animals, insects and water animals from the harmful things; like during the winter season, they starts breaking the ice which is on the pool, because of the ice, the fish could freeze. Tibetan and Ladakh people believe that plenty of souls would get happy, if number of life would be saved.

They believe that the practice of incarnation happens only by force of our Karma or else as per characteristics and the law of effect . Lord Buddha’s incarnation is Lamas and after completing the years of study shows, is called as Rimpoche or you can say the power who comes several times to guide us the Buddhahood path. In the Buddhism customs, the monks are prohibited from having private property and any kind of luxury, except the bowls and lamps. Buddhist boys till the age of 3 or 4 can enter inside the monastery, being the students. They have to wear a red fabric or robe for their whole life.Through their lifestyle Buddhist , show their simple thought towards life.