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The region of Ladakh was almost exclusively Buddhist up to the 16th Century when Muslim leaders in the Kashmir region started extending their arms. Northern Ladakh is now predominately Muslim but in and around Leh where we traveled about 90% of the population is Buddhist, and it is still just the majority religion all Ladakh. Though Buddhism started in India, it reached Ladakh via Tibet in around the 8th century AD. There are five sects within Ladakh, but most Monasteries belong to the Drugpa or the reformist Gelugpa sect. They are tantric or mystical forms of Buddhism. The Drugpa sect follows a line of teaching from Indian Masters from the 11th century. Lamas from this sect will wear red hats at ceremonies. The Gelugpa sect came from reformations in the 14th century, and is now the cominate form in both Tibet and Ladakh its lamas wear yellow hats. It is led by the Dalai Lama. After fleeing Tibet the Dalai Lama was given refugee in India and now has his base in Dharamasala, further south in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
The Monastery of Likir, like most other monasteries it is built on a hilltop.
In the region a Monastery is also known as Gompa or 'Solitary Place', somewhere for the monks to meditate in peace, hence why many of them are in remote places.
As a mystical form there are many ritualistic aspects to Monastic life and the worship of various Boddhisattavas, these are beings that have achieved enlightenment but have refused Nirvana and choose to reincarnate to help others achieve enlightenment. These figures appear regularly in the paintings and statues around the monasteries.
A representation of Avalokiteswara, (Gazing Down Lord) often shown with many heads and arms (up to a thousand) to indicate is all-encompassing concern for beings. The Dalai Lama is considered a living manifestation of Avalokiteswara.
Another image commonly seen is the wheel of life, depicting all conditions of existence.
A Wheel of Life from Lanayura Monastry
Prayer wheels of all sizes will also be seen, there is usually a large one at the entrance and then lines of smaller ones. These are rotated during the chanting of a prayer. You can also have hand held versions.
Small
prayer wheels at Likar Monastry, these are turned clockwise and you will see the
paint has been rubbed off from use on one side of the turning arms only.
Prayer mantras are inscribed on the wheels
Stupas or chortens in Tibetan are a common feature of the landscape as well. Originally they were built to hold relics of the Buddha but are now a more general built in honour of living Buddhas or Boddhisttavas and are generally revered
Some stupas at Lanayura Monastry.
A roadside stupa
Monasteries form a central part of community life around Ladakh and one child from a family will still enter a monastery. The monk we had as a guide for a few days always seemed to be bumping in to members of is family as we traveled around. Many monks in the region will work in the communities as teachers or doctors etc. rather than just remaining in the institution.