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Shri Ashtapad Maha Tirth - II
Kailash peeping behind Ashtapad
Kailash and Ashtapad
2. An important aspect of Ashtapad is the Nirvana of Shri Aadinathji. Without citing sources available abundantly, e.g. Ippolito Desideri (a Jesuit missionary) one of the earliest of European explorers to visit the region mentions in his writings that Padmasambhava who is credited for bringing Buddhism to Tibet from India spent years in meditation and penance in a cave in Mount Kailash. Similarly, the likes of Milarepa, Dattatreya, Guru Nanak and other mystics retreated to the holy cave for their spiritual high. This cave now immortalized as Serdung Chuksum said to be housing monuments of Dregung Kagyupa abbots (this was under the control of Kagyupa) was also known as Sapta Rishi Cave. There were 19 mortal relics now reduced to 13.There is no doubt in my mind that before the control of this holy cave passed into the hands of the Kagyupa sect this should have contained the mortal relics of Bodhisattwas/Munis/Rishis in its hoary antiquity (erasing any visible sign of earlier relic).
A tablet inside the Serdung Chuksum (Sapta Rishi Cave) These monuments are currently maintained by Serlung and Gyangdrag monasteries. Clearly the
The Ashtapad Initiative
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