Engaged Buddhism: Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena Launches Menstrual Hygiene Program in Ladakh

- through Henry Oudin

Published

Image courtesy of MIMC
Image courtesy of MIMC

Renowned Buddhist leader and socially engaged monk Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena, founder and spiritual director of the non-profit Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) in Ladakh, in the far north of India, recently launched a menstrual hygiene initiative, starting with a free health camp at Gya village in Leh district.

The menstrual hygiene camp was organised on 18 September by Mahabodhi Karuna Charitable Hospital (MKCH) of MIMC with support from Humanity Infinite Foundation, New Delhi. Hygiene information and sanitary napkins were provided free of cost to all residents.

“This initiative, with a commitment of monthly distributions, will be extended to all major villages in Ladakh,” MIMC said in a statement shared with BDG.

Image courtesy of MIMC
Image courtesy of MIMC

Addressing the Gya community, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena stressed the importance of healthcare and women's health and hygiene, and assured the residents that MKCH would continue to provide support in education and healthcare. He also expressed gratitude to the founding trustee Shri Prem Singh Dhingra of the Humanity Infinite Foundation, New Delhi for his support to the clinic.

During the health camp, Mahabodhi Karuna Charitable Hospital Director Dr Yangchan Dolma and Trustee Shri Aman Ullah stressed the crucial need to create awareness about women's health.

Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena founded the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) in Leh, the communal capital of Ladakh, in 1986. It has since become an exemplar of socially engaged Buddhism in the region, initiating numerous projects, events and humanitarian initiatives. Its outreach work includes providing educational opportunities and shelter for underprivileged children, empowerment and literacy programmes for women and other socially disadvantaged groups, healthcare for the sick and needy, and an old-age home for the elderly and destitute. The expanding MIMC campus has become a hub for a multitude of socio-cultural and community programmes in the region.

He is also the founder of the Mahakaruna Foundation, the Save the Himalayas Foundation, and an advisor to the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB).

Image courtesy of MIMC
Image courtesy of MIMC

The team then proceeded to Gya Government High School to distribute essential toiletries and stationery items to the students. The school principal, Sh. Jigmet, welcomed and thanked Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena and the MKCH team on behalf of the students and teachers for conducting the free clinic.

Mosna Aslam, a health counselor for adolescents, spoke in detail about menstrual hygiene and introduced a toll-free government number that students can call to receive free counseling.

Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena then invited the staff and students to visit MIMC for an educational exchange program.

“Without education, even a strong person is disabled, but with education, even a disabled person is no longer disabled,” he observed. “Together with the villagers and local communities, we continue our mission to uplift and empower people through education and healthcare.”

Image courtesy of MIMC
Image courtesy of MIMC

In addition to integrating spiritual development and human and animal welfare, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena and MIMC are also closely involved in peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue, environmental conservation, and promoting Buddhist and Himalayan cultural heritage through national and international festivals. Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena has travelled extensively to participate in international conferences, seminars and workshops aimed at promoting spiritual and cultural values, environmental awareness, non-violence and world peace, and raising the status of women in society, especially those from disadvantaged communities.

In 2021, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena led a team from MIMC on a humanitarian relief mission to the border areas of Ladakh, providing material COVID-19 relief as well as much-needed emotional and spiritual counseling to local residents who were living in fear during the twin crises of the Ladakh pandemic and the military standoff on the border between Indian and Chinese troops. The same team also led a peace campaign in the conflict zone, calling on both nations not to resort to violence but to resolve the conflict through peaceful means.*

Image courtesy of MIMC

* Work, walk and pray for peace: Bhikkhu Sanghasena embarks on peace pilgrimage to Ladakh (BDG) and Buddhist monk Bhikkhu Sanghasena calls for a peaceful resolution amid Sino-Indian border tensions (BDG)

See more

International Mahabodhi Meditation Center
International Mahabodhi Meditation Center – MIMC (Facebook)
Bhikkhu Sanghasena
Bhikkhu Sanghasena (Facebook)
Mahakaruna Foundation
Save the Himalayas Foundation
International network of committed Buddhists

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The article Engaged Buddhism: Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena launches menstrual hygiene program in Ladakh appeared first on Buddhadoor Global.

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Henry Oudin

Henry Oudin is a Buddhist scholar, spiritual adventurer and journalist. He is a passionate seeker of the depths of Buddhist wisdom, and travels regularly to learn more about Buddhism and spiritual cultures. By sharing his knowledge and life experiences on Buddhist News, Henry hopes to inspire others to embrace more spiritual and mindful ways of living.

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