The Himalayan Buddhist Society Manali was founded in 1946 by Thakur Mangal Chand Rais and Wazir of Lahaul (1887 – 1969) with a vision towards achieving universal peace and well-being of all sentient beings. One of the earliest sessions of the Society was also held in Lahore.
The next big step was the acquisition of land by the Society in 1960. At that time Thakur Mangal Chand was in a deep shock and sorrow as he had lost his elder son Col Thakur Khushal Chand, Maha Vir Chakra in an air crash in 1957, aged just 38, while serving in UN Peace Mission in Laos. Thakur Mangal Chand seized the opportunity to meet Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru the Prime Minister of India who was on a visit to Manali. He requested him for a piece of land for the Society where an institution of peace, harmony and well-being could be built. This is how the present land measuring about 5 beghas of the Gompa was granted in the name of Thakur Mangal Chand by India’s first Prime Minister.
Sardar Pratap Singh Kairon the then Chief Minister of Punjab was also very helpful in the transfer of land. (Lahaul at that time was part of Punjab). The Members Punjab Tribes Advisory Committee namely Thakur Pratap Chand (Last ruler of Lahoul), Thakur Nihal Chand, Thakur Nirmal Chand, Nono Tashi of Mane, Sh Angrup Karpa , Thakur Lal Chand Phura , Sh Som Dev, Sh Basant Ram etc also extended full support to the Society.
The Society was formally registered in 1960 by the following members: Thakur Mangal Chand (President) Dr Bhagwan Singh, Sh Kahan Das, Sh Urgyan Tundup , Sh Rinchen, Sh Bodh Ram , Sh Lobzang , Sh Devi Chand and Sh Lama Gyalong of Ladakh . However in order to take care of the social and economic changes since 1960 , it was amended and registered in 1988 in its present form.
The Society has been promoting artistic, intellectual, cultural, social and religious heritage of Lahoul , Spiti , Ladakh , Zanskar , Pangi and Kinnaur . It serves as an ideal converging point for all Buddhists of the region and to dwell on issues of common interest. The Himalayan Buddhist Society also acts as a coordinating body for all Gompas (monasteries) located in the region.
The Society is also indebted to its 2nd President, Lama Tenzin Chospel, a trader from Kalimpong , (will send you this picture as well as the pictures of all the previous Presidents of the Society ) who donated the proceeds of his entire property to the Gompa . The subsequent Presidents of the Society were Smt. Lata Thakur Ex MLA, Col Th Prithi Chand MVC, Sh. Ravi Thakur Ex MLA and Th Duni Chand who all contributed to the building of the Society. Some of the landmark works added during the period were:
- Chorten in the years 1973-77 with the help of donors and the efforts of Lama Gyalong Meme of Ladakh.
- The Pavillion or the Manch in 1988.
- A Dharamsala for the poor by the Chandra Bhaga family in memory of their pilot son Sh Ram Nath who died in a plane crash year 1968.
- Mane Dungyur by Sh Khampa Prem Chand in the year 1970.
The boundary wall, gate and reception building including extension of dharamsala and jhanjghar was made possible by the good offices of Sh Thakur Ashok Chand IAS Secy. Tourism and Culture and Sh Subash Negi IAS Secy. Tribal Affairs , Govt of HP in the years 2004-2007.