Discovering this stone on Nyilo, 2nd January, 2020(ཟླབ་༡༠་ཚེས་༧)

The preparation for the celebration of the 16th Kuechey of Khenchen Jigme Phuntsho at Kadam Chorten (Buddha’s Memorial Chorten) in Gawadrong, 2020, was nearly complete. But being a coordinator of the Dewachen Tshogpa, I visited the preparation site on Bhutanese winter solstice, Nyilo (ཉི་ལོག) day to clear some remaining unfinished work—some stones and construction nails—surrounding the chorten. My mind was filled with devotion and the determination to make the first celebration of the 16th Kuechey of Khenchen Jigme Phuntsho at Kadam Chorten a successful and meaningful event.While clearing the stones and construction nails, I unconsciously separated one stone from the rest and placed it inside a torn tin. Discovering this stone on Nyilo, 2^nd January, 2020(ཟླབ་༡༠་ཚེས་༧) seemed particularly significant, leading me to ponder the timing of this discovery.

The Significance of Winter Solstice, Nyilo (ཉི་ལོག)

According to the Loden Foundation (2021), Nyilo literally means ‘the return of the sun.’ It marks the day from which the duration of sunlight increases, signifying the start of longer days. Traditionally, people believe that on Nyilo, past mistakes may be erased, and the karmic value of good deeds can multiply. Nyilo is observed as the New Year by the people of the Shar and Wang regions in western Bhutan.Lolay (ལོ་ལེགས) is celebrated as part of Nyilo. From a Buddhist perspective, Lolay is a celebration aimed at blocking certain paranormal misfortunes from befalling the region, thereby promoting peace and prosperity for the entire year. Nyilo is considered more sacred than any other day, and people are discouraged from engaging in negative activities.

The Spiritual Significance of the Number 7

In Buddhism, the number 7 holds significant spiritual meanings and is often associated with enlightenment, wisdom and the path to spiritual awakening. According to ChatGPT, immediately after Buddha birth, he took seven steps, and at each step, a lotus flower bloomed. This miraculous event symbolizes his future spiritual path and his role as a great teacher.

The significance of Nyilo and the symbolic importance of the number 7 added layers of meaning pointing towards, it is something special.

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For Bhutan to Champion in the 21st Century World

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Flashback of my compassionate heart at the very early age of my school days

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The number 16 holds profound significance in the ongoing national transformation of Bhutan and in my life. This significance is rooted in a mystical event that occurred on the 16th day of the Bhutanese calendar during the 16th Kuchey of Khenchen Jigme Phuntsho at the Jangchub Gatshel Chorten in Samtse. This sacred memorial stupa, deeply connected with Buddha, is currently under construction, guided by the wise leadership of His Majesty the 5th King of Bhutan. Its noble purpose is to symbolize peace, security and sovereignty within our beloved nation. Remarkably, in the same year, His Majesty's coronation took place on the 16th day of the 9th lunar month of the Bhutanese calendar, known as Lhabab Dawa, also associated with Buddha. Almost two years later, a significant development occurred on the international stage when India and China reaffirmed their commitment to restoring peace and tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) during the 16th round of talks addressi

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During the 16th Kuechey of Khenchen Jigme Phuntsho at Kadam Chorten (Buddha’s Memorial Chorten) in Gawadrong, 2020, I found myself amidst what might have been the busiest period of my life. Not a single moment was spared for rest, from the early morning hours till late at night, for approximately three weeks straight. This demanding stretch encompassed an array of tasks that left no room for respite. For nearly two weeks, we diligently gathered resources from various organizations, striving to bridge the distance between these resources and the chorten itself—a site that required extensive clearing and cleansing, despite being less than halfway through its construction. Throughout daytime hours, my compatriot Lham Thinley (the Chorten Construction Coordinator) and I traversed from one office to another, earnestly seeking support. On other occasions, we labored on the chorten construction site alongside our dedicated supporters and helpers. The early mornings and evenings were a d

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