Spiritual Calling of an IT Guy

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་ ༡༡་ 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 ‘t...

  Due to the Tshe Nga Mai Lethro, I found myself at Devi thang sometime last year, located near Aum Dungtima Ney—a place I often visit after my mystical event. It was enlightening to learn that visitors to this Ney(Devi thang)should abstain from consuming meat and must respect the area's sanctity, for example, by not urinating nearby. Violating these norms can provoke punishment from the Devi deity. Today, I am here at the Shiv Mandir, praying for the successful conduct of the Devi Puja by the people of southern Bhutan, especially by all the local communities. This ceremony is typically held in April month on Buddha Purnima or Devi Purnima (Full Moon Day), primarily for agricultural purposes, such as ensuring timely rainfall at the start of the vegetable and crop sowing season( Subba & Phanching,n.d). It is also performed to prevent hailstones and storms during the growing and harvesting of crops like maize, paddy, and vegetables such as chili, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, beans...

  Today, I circumambulated this Chorten three times. Firstly, early in the morning when I went to spread chundu and offer flowers to it after dreaming about it last night. Then, in the afternoon, when I accompanied my wife to her friend's place for dance practice. Lastly, as shown in this photo. I believe what is happening forms a Tendrel for something to reveal.

  Wow! What an auspicious day! Early this morning, I found myself here, where the Vakrakilaya Drupchen is commencing today, presided over by His Eminence Patseling Trulku Rinpoche. Usually, in the early morning, I open the window near my bed to let in the fresh morning air as I engage in sleeping meditation for about 5 to 10 minutes. However, today, while I was in the midst of my meditation, my wife approached me to deliver a parcel for our friend who is on emergency in Thimphu for some reason since last night. It was 6:29 AM when I hurried to the bus station and back. Upon returning, as I entered the gate of the Drupchen, I could still see chundu on the road. It felt as though I was also being welcome to this Vakrakilaya Drupchen, a site where I h ad experienced about Lord Buddha Heaven. Therefore, Today as I write this post about my today early morning Tendrel here at Vakrakilaya Drupchen site, I am opening my statement saying this place is a Buddha heaven based on my own experie...

 To me, Samtse2020 project represents a significant milestone in Bhutan's history. It was a time of remarkable achievements, made possible by the unseen yet formidable force within our nation. I am aware of the unseen tasks carried out to put in to strengthening our country's position amidst the towering presence of neighboring giants. Samtse2020 was not merely an event; it was a Tendrel —a harmonious alignment of auspicious circumstances, foretelling a prosperous time ahead for Bhutan under the wise and benevolent leadership of His Majesty the 5th King.

From this Buddha’s memorial chorten, amidst the celebration of the 16th Kuechey of Khenchen Jigme Phuntsho at Gawadrog, Samtse in 2020, a profound realization struck me like a thunderbolt: for 37 years, I had been navigating through life without a moment's respite from the relentless churn of thoughts. Tears cascaded down my face as I grappled with this realization. In the morning, I found myself unexpectedly driving Rinpoche in my car to the chorten, accompanied by my wife and Rinpoche's assistance. During the drive, I asked Rinpoche whether I needed to visit Jagar Dorjiden to attain enlightenment. Rinpoche's response that enlightenment resides within one's heart rather than in a physical place, his words left me immersed in deep contemplation. As we approached the up rough road, navigating the recently constructed road with sand on top, making it hard to drive, Rinpoche and I almost had an accident. Upon arrival, I observed with a sense of auspiciousness that the Ch...

   In 2020, something truly special happened during the ninth lunar month of the Bhutanese calendar, known as Lhabab Dawa, which generally coincides  with November in the Western world. It's a time when Bhutanese people come together for virtuous activities and prayers, all in the pursuit of peace and harmony. What made Lhabab Dawa 2020 remarkable was the coincidence of especial Buddhist and Hindu festivals, along with celebrations honoring Bhutan's kings and national pride. It was a month filled with spirituality and celebration. The month began with Navaratri, a 9-day festival where Bhutanese invited Devi into our homes, seeking purity and divine blessings. On the 10th day, Dasain and Vajrakilaya Puja were celebrated, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. It was a time of hope and positivity. The 16th marked the coronation anniversary of His Majesty the 5th king. Bhutanese people gathered in different regions to wish for his long and prosperous reign, showing our u...

    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 add...

  In the journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening, we often find ourselves in situations that serve as profound lessons. It is during these moments that we realize the importance of self-awareness, mindfulness, and the power of listening, both to ourselves and to others. Today, I would like to share a personal incident that taught me a valuable lesson about this very aspect of life. The Incident: With my Wife Oflet, my wife and I happened to be in one of the friends' house. There were four of us, himself,another friend and two of us. My wife, known for her exceptional social skills, was her usual talkative self. On the other hand, I tend to be more reserved, often preferring to listen rather than speak. Prior to this incident, I had shared with my wife my belief that she should strive to listen more and talk less in social situations. My intention behind this advice was rooted in my spiritual pursuit and my desire to help her unlock the power of mindful listening and, in t...

  When we contemplate the present figurehead in science and technology, Elon Musk readily comes to mind as a front-runner in this domain. His triumph as an entrepreneur is propelled by his revolutionary innovations, exceptional aptitude, influence, and substantial income, which he both earns and relishes. On a divergent note, when considering the foremost spiritual guide worldwide, the name of Sadhguru often emerges. Revered as a yogi, mystic, and modern guru by his followers, he offers diverse programs aimed at fostering physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Unquestionably, these exceptional individuals are fortunate few who inspire millions seeking success. Now, envision a leader or individual embodying qualities inherent to both these remarkable figures. Such a person would transcend leadership itself. The query arises: What educational framework can cultivate such exceptional individuals within our nation? Education stands as a prime catalyst in shaping a child's life. As...

  You might be acquainted with Aum Dungtima Ney and Kopi Dham, situated near the Amo Chu (Toorsa) river in Phuntsholing. These sacred sites hold a special place in my heart, owing to my personal experiences with them. As per the historical account provided in the " སྟོན་པ་བདེ་བར་གཤེགས་པའི་རྣམ་ཐར་ཏཱ་ར་ནཱ་ཐས " (Biography of Buddha), King Dondrup (the previous incarnation of Lord Buddha) faced adversity at Aum Dungtima Ney due to the གང་ལ་གང་འདོད་སྦྱིན་པ་བཏང་།  including animals. However, with his visionary leadership, harmony was swiftly restored. These Neys have been prophesied to exhibit "Tendrel" (auspicious interdependence) in the future, which appears to be unfolding now.   In my view, it is an auspicious alignment for these two Neys to collaborate harmoniously, guided by compassion and adhering to the legal principles of our nation, to achieve our collective vision. My prayers extend to these sacred sites for the successful realization of transformative refo...

  To ensure the fruition of our triumphant transformative reforms—a precious offering from our Dharma King—I would earnestly propose adhering to the guiding tenets of མཉམ་རུབ། ཞི་འཇམ། and ཁྲིམས་མཐུན། as we strive to attain our envisioned future for Bhutan.

To me, the alignment of the Bhutanese New Year in 2023 with His Majesty's 43rd birthday resonates as an auspicious omen for triumphant transformative reforms—a precious bestowal from our Dharma King. Presently, I find myself partaking in the festivities at Ten-Drel Thang, Samtse, offering heartfelt prayers and fervent wishes.

  Without prior arrangement, and with intentions stemming from the depths of my heart, a meaningful occurrence unfolded. It transpired at Panbari Lhakhang during the Drup Tshezi festival—a foreshadowing of the passion I am fervently pursuing: the construction of an equitable and harmonious society in our nation, in alignment with the vision of His Majesty the 5th King.   My companions and I were fortunate participants in the Drup Tshezi festival at Panbari Lhakhang. This was my inaugural experience as a "Jinda," an offering participant, at this sacred occasion dedicated to my root guru, Lord Buddha. I gleaned additional insight from the Tshogpa, who informed us that the Lhakhang had recently undergone a Rabna (consecration) by Lama Namkha Ningpo Rinpoche, a rite aimed at enhancing the well-being of the local community post-renovation. It marked a dual first—a Jinda from my end and a Chekhor representing the Lhakhang and the local administration, both contributing to the wel...

  The lineage of astrologers, locally known as ''Tsigpa,'' has flowed through my family for generations, tracing back to my father and even my paternal grandfather. Their practice has contributed significantly to the welfare of our community over the years. Hailing from Bongzor, a quaint village nestled within Thrimshing Dungkhag beneath the auspices of Trashigang Dzongkhag, we boast around 15 to 20 households. Our village's nomenclature finds its roots in its geographical placement atop a hill, coupled with a tale involving a pack horse. Interestingly, recent revelations have illuminated our ancestral origins—our forebears hailed from Trashigang Bihar and subsequently adopted the distinctive Tsigpa title upon their arrival in Bongzor. As I introspect on my own pursuits and passions, I discern a profound connection between my endeavors and the fervor that stirred within my ancestors.          

Numerous universities have continuously delved into emerging technologies, adapting to the rapidly changing requisites of the 21st-century global landscape. The advent of online courses such as MOOCs, Edx, and Coursera, enabling worldwide student participation and learning, stands as a tangible outcome of seamless technology integration. These open educational resources have proven invaluable for educators and learners worldwide, facilitating sustained engagement in teaching and learning even amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.   While the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB) adopted a virtual learning environment (VLE) technology across its constituent colleges as early as 2008, the full exploitation of VLE's features for course instruction had not been optimally realized, not even during the pandemic-induced circumstances. This gap persists despite over a decade of VLE availability, as observed by Pem et al. in 2021.   With the issuance of the Royal Kasho o...

The Royal decree concerning education has ignited a pressing need for comprehensive reevaluation of our educational framework, including the role of teacher preparation colleges. The explicit proclamation underscores the escalating prominence of technology, projecting a future profoundly shaped by intricate digital advancements. In response, a recalibration and reengineering of educational practices become imperative, as the methods of teaching and learning demand a contemporary overhaul.   The trajectory of Bhutanese education's evolution mandates a prominent role for cutting-edge elements like artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality (AR & VR), the Internet of Things (IoT), coding education, and automation. These facets should stand as the core tenets of classroom interactions, effectively revolutionizing the teaching and learning landscape. Acknowledging the pivotal influence of teacher education, the imperative to reshape educational methodologies becom...

Following the issuance of the Royal Kasho on Education Reform on December 17, 2020, Samtse College of Education, aspiring to be a crucible of innovation and a nucleus of educational change, stands poised to assume a pivotal role in driving substantial educational advancements and reforms. Since its establishment as the Teacher Training Institute by the late Third Dharma King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, on May 29, 1968, the college has ardently contributed to the realization of the nation's educational aspirations. Despite the myriad educational evolutions and strides over the past six decades of developmental endeavors, the current education system has been subjected to scrutiny, deemed insufficient to adapt to the rapidly evolving needs and demands of 21st-century Bhutan.   The Royal Kasho on Education Reform articulates a definitive shift in the vision for Bhutanese education, emphasizing the creation of enlightened citizenship that harmonizes local and trans-local ele...

The two-week immersion program at Druk Gyalpo Institute stands as the most remarkable experience in my journey, particularly due to its profound discussions on truth, beauty, and values. These dialogues encompass the essence of wisdom—a vision I have long held for our education system since my school days. Now, this vision has been realized by DGI, and I firmly believe that the majority, if not the entirety, of the education community will embrace this educational philosophy, approach, and methodology. As we begin to introduce this "BB" program to 22 schools and two educational institutions, I earnestly appeal to both external experts and ourselves to not only serve as intellectual and vocal exemplars but also as paragons of conduct. For me, conduct takes precedence, given the prevalence of educators who excel in rhetoric but fall short in comportment. Thus, vigilance over our actions is essential, aligning them with the principles of the BB philosophy, approach, and practi...

On the tenth day, a comprehensive exploration of learning and assessment within four distinct domains—English, Mathematics, Dzongkha, and Life Science—unfolded. Intriguingly, despite the diversity of these domains, they shared overarching strategies to facilitate student learning and evaluate their progress. Nevertheless, subtle differences arose, primarily stemming from the unique attributes of each domain. For instance, the English domain concentrated on practical language usage in work settings. In contrast, Dzongkha sought to cultivate an appreciation for our cultural heritage and traditions, while also nurturing ethical conduct. Meanwhile, the Mathematics domain aimed to demystify complexities by rendering them into more accessible forms through visual representations. Furthermore, these domains displayed evidence of cross-pollination, as seen through the interwoven threads of the "7 gifts." This interconnectedness enhanced their potency and impact. Throughout the pr...