The Drukpa Lineage is a prominent Buddhist lineage in India. "Druk" in Tibetan means "Dragon" and it also refers to the sound of thunder. Tsangpa Gyare Yeshe Dorje, the founder of the lineage, named it "Drukpa" or "lineage of the Dragons" in 1206. He was known as the First Gyalwang Drukpa. At present, the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa Jigme Perna Wangchen, is the spritual head of the lineage.

This lineage is based in the Himalayas. Its followers are in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, the North East states, as well as in Nepal and across the Himalayan region. It has many followers across the globe, including USA, UK, France, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Spain, Switzerland and the South East Asian countries of Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and Taiwan.

The stamp depicts Hemis Monastery, which is a part of the Drukpa Lineage, and is one of the main Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. It is situated around 45 kms in the south of Leh on the west banks of the Indus river. This biggest and very  richly endowed monastery of Ladakh was built in 1630. The monastery is decorated on all the four sides by the colourful prayer flags, which flutter in the breeze and send the prayers to Lord Buddha. The guardian deities and the Wheel of Life can be seen here and are in good condition. It also has an important library of Tibetan style books and a very  impressive  and valuable collection of Thangkas, gold statues and Stupas embedded with precious stones. One of  the  largest  Thangkas is also displayed every 11th year during the festival time.

The annual festival is held for two days in June-July, enlivening the courtyard of the monastery. During the festival time, various rituals and mask dances are performed in this courtyard. The festival of dances, where good triumphs over evil, is a colourful pageant.

Department of Posts is happy to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Drukpa Lineage of Buddhism.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India