Engaged Buddhism: Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena Organizes Free Medical and Menstrual Hygiene Camp in Ladakh

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, far north India, conducted a free medical and menstrual hygiene camp in Iggo village of Leh in Ladakh District on December 15.

The medical camp and health awareness programme was organised by Mahabodhi Karuna Charitable Hospital of MIMC in collaboration with 153 General Hospital. The camp provided specialised services of ophthalmology, general medicine, ENT and surgery to a total of 157 patients.

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).

With the support of Humanity Infinite Foundation, New Delhi and led by its Chairman and Founder Trustee Shri Prem Singh Dhingra, Mahabodhi Karuna Charitable Hospital also organised a menstrual hygiene awareness camp. Sanitary napkins were distributed free of cost to all the residents as part of this initiative to support women's health and hygiene.

Founder and Chairman of Mahabodhi Karuna Charitable Hospital Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena announced that the programme is committed to extending monthly distribution of sanitary napkins to all major villages in Ladakh.

Addressing the community, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena emphasized the importance of healthcare, especially women's health and hygiene, and assured the local residents that Mahabodhi Karuna Charitable Hospital would continue its unwavering support for education and healthcare. Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena also expressed his gratitude to Shri Prem Singh Dhingra for his support and for the collaboration of Humanity Infinite Foundation.

“The Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC) also distributed eyeglasses to those in need and ensured that the beneficiaries received the care and attention they needed,” MIMC said in a statement shared with BDG.

Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena also expressed his appreciation for the role of the Indian Army in Ladakh, especially the efforts of the staff of 153 General Hospital. He thanked the Commandant as well as the medical officers and paramedics for providing essential health care in Iggo village during the harsh winter months, and urged the villagers to make full use of these services.

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.*

* 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)

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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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