‘Not the perfect Bhutanese Citizen’

‘Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country’. Perhaps one might not be able gauge or comprehend the above statement completely for we the Bhutanese take everything for granted. So, is becoming a martyr the only thing deemed worthy of saying that we are a true Bhutanese? 

We cannot deny the efforts and the sacrifice of our kings and the government. Nowhere in this world would one find such benevolent kings and the governing bodies. Democracy has indeed been a gift to the people from our ever grandeur kings. But, are we doing enough to live up to the faith and trust entrusted upon us by our kings?

We have become too relaxed and complacent, and we expect somebody else to carry out the job. Someone has no qualms taking a selfie in front of a raging forest fire and posting it in facebook; someone has no qualms taking inordinate amount of alcohol despite doctor’s repeated warning and advice. A raging forest fire and we all feel it is not our responsibility; somebody else will take care of it. Even if I drink myself to death everything will be taken care of by the government. Such selfish acts should perhaps be deemed treacherous acts.

An innocuous strike of the match stick results in an uncontrollable conflagration, and the government loses millions in revenue. Every year alcohol related illness digs deep into the government’s coffers. So, who is responsible? It is definitely not the government; it is us the citizens of Bhutan. Each and every one of us who take everything for granted is responsible: every one of us who think ‘paracetamol or PCM’ is useless, everyone of us who think that it’s fire fighter’s responsibility to douse the forest fire, everyone of us who breaks the line to get faster medical attention, everyone of us who dare punch ones teacher in the face.

What makes us a good citizen? I really don’t have any yardstick or index to say that such and such can be categorized as a good citizen, but should I name one then Khenpo Thubten Dorji surely inspires me. Khenpo hails from a remote kheng region and upon seeing many young boys from poor and broken families in his native village; he decided to set up a monastery for them. Khenpo started the construction works in 2003 with a mere Nu. 1500, and today the monastery is a home to over one hundred monks practicing Buddhist literature and philosophy. Khenpo also travels intensively across the country conducting ‘Dechen Shingdrup’ or ‘Lord Amitabh Puja’ for the peace and prosperity of our country Bhutan.

‘Dechen Shingdrup’ is a prayer of aspiration or can be sufficed as the praise to ‘Lord Amitabha’ (Sangay Yoepamai) and it is the paradise of Lord Amitabha that every one of us should aspire to be born upon breathing our last breath. According to Buddhist beliefs, amongst all the paradise ‘Lord Amitabh’s Paradise’ or commonly known as ‘Dewachen Zhimkham’ is the only paradise where rebirth is easy and less demanding. Once we are born in ‘Dewachen’ then there is no coming back to Samsara, and it is where we get our prophecy for enlightenment.

Such a sacred religious activities like ‘Shingdrup’ across Bhutan would not be possible without the support of our Dharma kings, and it is also because of our Dharma kings that both Mahayana and Vajrayana still exist and thrive in Bhutan. Khenpo’s aspiration to conduct ‘Shingdrup’ across Bhutan is thus to pay tribute and homage to our Dharma kings, because without our Dharma kings at our helm then the world that we know would be lot different.

All of us born in Bhutan are Buddhist by default but unfortunately our view and perspective sometimes portray otherwise. I am not saying that we all try to emulate Khenpo Thubten or other Buddhist lamas whose only aspiration is to serve the ‘tsa wa sum’, and I am not saying that we enroll ourselves in Buddhist monasteries. All I am saying is that we become morally responsible and conscious. Instead of breaking the line to get faster medical checkup, think about those who have been standing for hours. Instead of pampering your kids make them understand the value of things. Instead of speaking rudely speak politely. Instead of getting upset about ‘paracetamol’, just think about the hardship the government bears to provide free medical care. Instead of punching ones teacher in the face think about ordeal that the teacher undergoes to prepare the lesson-plan.

Are we the perfect citizens of Bhutan?

We may not be the perfect Bhutanese citizen, but we must uphold our king in high esteem because it’s because of our kings that we can proudly say that we are from Bhutan. We may not be the perfect Bhutanese citizen, but we must consider ourselves fortunate enough to be born in Bhutan.

We may not be the perfect Bhutanese citizen, but we must be grateful to the government for their hard work and dedication. We may not be the perfect Bhutanese citizen, but we must constantly pray for the well being of the nation. We may not be the perfect Bhutanese citizen, but we must be willing to sacrifice our lives for the sake of the ‘tsa wa sum’.

The River and its Wisdom…

‘A river sings a holy song conveying the mysterious truth that we’re a river, and if we’re ignorant of this natural law, we’re lost.’ Thomas Moore.

‘For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one’, the river reflects with an utmost precision and discernment an exact mirror image of our life. ‘The day you’re born, you start dying,’ from the glaciers in the mountains, we begin our journey; seeping through the soil, percolating through the stones and the rocks, cascading over the boulders, rushing through the narrow valleys and meandering through the plains; and ultimately our life draws ever closer to the sea, the eternal silence of death.

There’re two ways to seeing a river; a mundane aspect and a higher spiritual context. What we see and perceive with our senses are the peripheral and the exterior attributes of the river; however at a much higher spiritual and self introspection, the wisdom drawn from a river is an ancient metaphor for life and its flow.

One of the most profound lessons that the river bestows upon us is the essence of being in the present. Our life is so often filled with regrets and remorse for the past, and the future anticipated with anxiety and premonition. The river flows in one continuous never ceasing moment, and there’re no ‘before or after’, ‘yesterday or tomorrow’; the moment which defines river is ‘now’. What happens in the past and what might happen in the future has no relevance with your present; however, we are often too concern with what was and what will be. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery; but today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the ‘present’.”

As the river flows downstream it encounters steep slopes, rugged terrains, vast plains, etc; however when the rivers flows through such an array of landscape, its journey sometimes are very smooth and at times extremely arduous. Through the narrow valleys, the rivers are forced to a much constricted areas, forcing the river to form fast and dangerous rapids; but through the plains and gentle slopes the river flows with grace and poise. The river never flows in one straight line; its journey is afflicted with many twists and turns.  It shows the co-existence of happiness and sorrows as an integral part of life. Our life can never be full of happiness, neither can it be full of sadness; however, in life learning to appreciate happiness and savoring sadness are in fact a valuable dictum of life.  

As the river flows downstream it greets the other compatriots at the confluence with alacrity and goodwill. The two rivers merges together to form a bigger river, which endows them with a greater power and influence. It’s disheartening to see countries waging wars amongst themselves, when war brings about nothing, but just suffering and destitute.  Instead of recriminating and killing each other, if all the nations in the world could come together for one common purpose and reason, accede to one general and mutual consensus, unite and not divide; then we can literally help suppress suffering, and could rather help elevate happiness to a much higher level and magnitude.   

The river has a natural propensity to conquer its obstacles; the river would go around, it would flow over, and would also run through it. It never tends to go against its obstacles; however it tends to go with it, and ultimately it’s the river that comes out as the victor. The obstacles remain where they were, however the river after conquering its foe continues on its journey. Our life too is often hindered and challenged by obstacles; but instead of being apprehensive and intimidated by what lies ahead, we must remain ever optimistic and never falter. “Where there’s will, there’s a way,” like the river, if we have the will power, then we’ll always succeed no matter what.

Let’s face it; life is not a bed of roses. Within the roses, we often encounter thorns, big and small alike.  Problems and obstacles are the part and parcel of our life, and we should not be deterred by such trivial things; instead learn from your previous mistakes, pick yourself up when you fall, and like the river which believes in itself,  always have faith and belief in yourself. “Greatness lies not in what you have achieved. Greatness lies in what you believe.” 

The messages and lessons that the river delivers are subtle, yet profound wisdom encompassing our life and its perpetual journey. To hear you need to listen and to see you got to look, and only if you could listen and look at the river with a sense of reverence and an inner contemplation; then only you’d understand and realize its true essence. Nonetheless, life would go on for river of life never ceases to end.

Making Choices !!!

I have traveled a thousand miles just to find myself yet another domain of uncertainty and fear, hopes and prospects. As I stood on the shore the ocean waves lapping my feet solicitously, tempting me to venture ahead. Although tempted the unknown world of wilderness was equally intimidating and foreboding. The feeling of curiosity was moistened by the dews of doubts and anxieties.

The ocean looked beautiful which rather aggravated my dilemma. I've come a long way in the pursuit of an eternal bliss. But, as I began to contemplate upon the journey ahead, my heart was filled with mixed emotions as to what would unfold. The forbidding feeling of premonition and apprehension was constantly accompanied by the flickering hope of glory and success.

I was a happy man but had always felt something amiss. I wanted to travel, see the world for myself. I've crossed hills, mountains, brooks, and rivers.  I've seen some of the most wonderful miracles that the nature had to offer. I've felt the tender snowflakes on my face, the brooks as it began to canter over my feet, the fury of the river as it began to scoff the gorge. I felt I'd seen enough, but alas!

Now, as I stood on the shore, I was yet again faced with a déjà Vu situation. The vast ocean ahead of me was enchantingly mysterious but the tender softness of the shore was equally comforting. Just few days earlier, I felt I've seen enough, but now the vast ocean of mystery clouted my very purpose. I was where I'd started and it felt like I've seen nothing till now.

The ocean which lay ahead pledged a domain of prospects yet nothing were certain and its ramifications obvious and palpable. I felt like the fox in the fable, who couldn't reach out for the grapes, envisaging it to be sour. I had to decide, either to return home being content with what I've seen or venture further into the unknown domain of wilderness in search of eternal bliss and satisfaction.

Choices, I had to make with neither the will nor the heart. But, I finally managed to persuade myself to return home for good. However, as I reminiscent that day on the shore I ruefully wonder whether I'd made the right decision or not.

As I delve into my past, I did come across such situations where I'd to make a choice. Some choices which I deeply deplore, but all these choices make me who I am today. Some do lament their fate which they feel is indelible, however it's all about making the choices which ultimately decides our destiny...

                          I shall be telling this with a sigh

                         Somewhere ages and ages hence:

                         Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

                         I took the one less traveled by,

                        And that has made all the difference..."      

The Coronation of the 5th Druk Gyalpo – A New Chapter in Bhutan!

The sun will yet again rise upon the primordial sky. The birds will sing a yet another hymn of accolades and praises. As the history unfolds itself, unleashing with it the hundred years of unprecedented happiness and prosperity, a furor of unwavering faith and trust upon the Wangchuck dynasty would be revitalized and further strengthen.

A kingdom perched high up in the Himalayan Mountains, graced and protected by the legendary guardian deities, adorned in galore by the pristine flora and fauna. The only country to witness such an epoch, a historic event, where his majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck relinquish his absolute powers to his people and abdicated the throne. A feat so pious never ever witnessed hitherto, will certainly have a profound and a lingering effect upon the future generations to come. Blessed indeed are the people of Bhutan ensconcing peacefully under the grace and leadership of Terton Pema lingpa's pedigree - the ever grandeur Wangchuck dynasty.

Since 1907, the world has witnessed some of the horrendous years, threatening the very existence of human life. The world wars and its atrocities, the great economic depression and its hunger, an age crippled by human greed and desires; yet like a light through the darkness the Druk Gyalpos guided our country through such troubled times - unscathed.

Today, a century later, Bhutan is very much on its way to modernization, a nation at an age of an illustrious metamorphosis, and yet its creeds and ethics profoundly alive. A nation, virtually located between the two power houses of South Asia, India and China, Bhutan unaided of its size stands out with pride and dignity, an independent country. The elusive independence which many countries alike sought, fought and lost has been preserved and is very much ours. An untarnished independence over the century is in fact a remarkable achievement by the Druk Gyalpos.

 A world plagued with wars, famine, apartheid, capitalism and anarchy; Bhutan eludes others, exemplifying humanity and righteousness, striving towards one common goal 'Gross National Happiness (GNH)' with unrelenting zeal and dedication. A vision set by the 4th Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, an ideology aspiring happiness and compassion. A vision, every Bhutanese needs to embrace and upheld an endeavor in making GNH a reality.

The coronation of the 5th Druk Gyalpo - a new chapter in Bhutan, brings forth a milestone marking 100 years of monarchy, constitution of a democratic nation and the coronation of a new king; a sacrosanct and an auspicious moment to celebration, to cherish and to be proud of. It is the propitious moment for every Bhutanese to pledge their utmost loyalty and integrity to the custodian of the raven-crown.

As the 5th Druk Gyalpo ascends upon the golden throne, it not only defines the role and responsibilities of the 5th Druk Gyalpo as a king; it also bestows upon us, the people a greater responsibility,'a responsibility to ensure our country's future and sovereignty'.

As we now embark upon an uncertain tomorrow, under the leadership of the 5th Druk Gyalpo; let’s all envisage and strive to create a country free from violence, corruption, treason, insidious encroachment and segregation.

"A moment in history, a moment to celebrate, a moment to show our gratitude, a moment to redeem ourselves, a moment to pledge our loyalty. A moment for every Bhutanese to realize and create our own future. A future promising eternal happiness or utter destitution."