105th National Day Celebration

Royal Address to the Nation at the 105th National Day celebration, 17th December 2012

His Majesty the 5th Druk Gyalpo adressing the nation.

On the occasion of the 105th National Day, it gives me much happiness to address our People of the 20 dzongkhags.

This National Day is of special significance. The powers offered by our People to the King in 1907 were, after hundred years of Nation building, returned in 2008 to our People by the Druk Gyalpo. It was in that year that we held the first elections under democracy and adopted the Constitution. Today we are nearing the end of the term of the first Parliament we elected in 2008 and the culmination of the tenth and largest 5-year plan. So much work lies ahead and such immense responsibilities rest on our shoulders as we approach 2013.

Yet, with capable and dedicated citizens who have great love for our country; with the guidance of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and; with the ever-stronger bonds between People and King, I have great confidence that we shall achieve our goals.

Our People of Bhutan are unique. We have a sense of family, community and brotherhood that inspires us to come together in times of need. I have seen this following natural disasters and most recently in the way in which all Bhutanese came forward to offer whatever little we could afford to rebuild the historic treasure, Wangduephodrang Dzong.

In other nations, difficult moments in their history are met with strife, violence and conflict as people sacrifice national interest in order to achieve individual ambitions. In Bhutan such acts and events have never occurred. Our way of life, our heritage, loyalty and values remain strong in the hearts of our People and our People stand ready, even in times of great personal hardship, to place Nation above Self. I am so proud of our People and offer my deep gratitude for the love you have shown for your Nation.

It is during times of prosperity and success that we must remind ourselves of the work that lies ahead. We have made a good start in our transition to democracy but much remains to be done. Our Nation has seen great socio-economic growth but it is more important that we have growth with equity. We must raise, with all our effort, the less fortunate so that they may, at the earliest, begin to partake in the opportunities brought by modernization and progress.

The government has provided education to our youth. But for the nation to prosper for all time, a sound education must be succeeded by access to the right jobs and responsibilities, so that our youth may bloom as individuals and at the same time serve their Nation well.

The recent Rupee shortage is a serious problem. I feel it is a reminder that, as a Nation, we must exercise our traditional sense of caution and work even harder as we address the challenges of the time. For no matter what challenges lie ahead, it is only the Bhutanese citizen who can protect and safeguard Bhutan.

Today, the most important duty for us is the upcoming 2013 Parliament elections. I would like to say that we – all of us – are new to this democratic transition. We have all equally acquired four and a half years of experience in democracy. Experience comes with participation, so I urge you all to come forward as candidates, members of parties and voters for 2013.

Remember, achieving democracy is not the goal. The real fruits of our efforts should be that democracy brings greater unity, harmony and prosperity to our Nation. Democracy must be able to fulfill the aspirations of our People.

Many hundreds of years ago, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal unified the nation, established the dual system and laid the foundations on which a unique Bhutan was born. This new nation was then further strengthened over the course of history by fifty-four Desis and generations of Bhutanese. The last hundred years, the Wangchuck dynasty, further strengthened the foundations laid by the Zhabdrung and handed over a special Nation to our People in 2008. All of this was possible because our People have lived as one small family, true to the ideals of the Zhabdrung and the foundations of a unique and special Bhutanese identity.

As we approach the elections of 2013, we must, therefore, keep in mind these foundations of our Nation and prevent all ethnic, religious or political divisions in our small Nation. We must participate in democracy with the spirit of harmony and fraternity.

In 2008, our democratic transition and the wholehearted participation by the people including the 80% voter turnout were lauded by the world. I urge you all to exercise your right to vote – it comes but once in 5 years – for it is an act of great benefit to the Nation.

With the Blessings of the Triple Gem and our Guardian Deities and the good fortune of our People, I am confident we will conduct the second elections under democracy successfully in 2013.

For me, I hold sacred the endeavors begun by my father, the Fourth Druk Gyalpo. I have committed myself to bringing to fruition all the noble endeavors begun in his 34 years of service and sacrifice. I also hold sacred my duty to ensure the success of democracy and I shall work to lay the strongest foundations for a vibrant democracy within my reign.

Above all, I believe that the Golden Throne is not a Throne of wealth, power and prestige. The Golden Throne of Bhutan is a unique Throne of Destiny to serve our People and Nation.

As King since 2006 I have always served with complete dedication and integrity. Sometimes I may have erred. Yet, you my people, have given me even more love and support and placed your complete faith and trust in me. To our People of the 20 Dzongkhags, I offer my heartfelt gratitude and pledge that I shall give everything to be of service to you and Bhutan.

In this land blessed by Guru Padmasambhava, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and our Fourth Druk Gyalpo, I pray that there shall be everlasting peace, prosperity and happiness.

Source: His Majesty’s Facebook fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/KingJigmeKhesar

Is losing UNSC seat indeed a happiness vote? By Dasho Sonam Kinga

Status Update

By Sonam Kinga

Is losing UNSC seat indeed a happiness vote?

The United Nations has been the theatre for playing out the highlights of our government’s foreign policy in the last 15 months. Two events in the UN are noteworthy. 

One, a UN General Assembly resolution sponsored by Bhutan was passed on 19 July 2011. The non-binding resolution was adopted by consensus of the 193 member states. Two, Bhutan won only 20 votes in the UN General Assembly (short of 108 votes) on 19 October this year in its bid to win a two-year non-permanent member seat in the Security Council representing the Asia-Pacific region. Since these two events flow from the same government’s foreign policy initiative, I do not think we can look at them in isolation. Seeing the connection perhaps, it is reported that some called this the happiness vote.

Going by numbers, we may say that one was a success and the other a failure. I must clarify that numbers in the first instance was not of voting but of consensus. On both initiatives, our Prime Minister was at the forefront of global campaign in seminars, conferences and summits. Some in Bhutan were overwhelmed with this success that suggestions were made to designate our Prime Minister as Bhutan’s life-long happiness ambassador. After all, the UN has declared March 20 as an International Happiness Day! 

In my view, Gross National Happiness is more of a domestic policy, a vision of social change, and less of a foreign policy to change the world. It is an interesting development that a vision for domestic policy has become a foreign policy tool in the last few years. Certainly no world leaders would speak against happiness. Whether it is in Thimphu, New York or Rio de Janeiro, they will associate with the idea of happiness. What we need to reflect on is whether happiness is really a force on the scene of international politics. Does happiness really matter in the power game of international politics? As the vote for UNSC membership shows, perhaps it is not!

Still we think of UN resolution on happiness as a foreign policy success. The question is how this success translates to our country’s benefit besides saying that the profile of the country has been raised in the eyes of international community. Even with the failure to win UNSC seat, we still say with optimism that the campaign has ‘enhanced the respect and goodwill of the international community for Bhutan and its people.’ It appears that irrespective of our successes or failures in the theatre of UN, we celebrate or console ourselves with this optimism. Are we being honest with ourselves? 

I think we should be equally overwhelmed by our failure and seriously reflect on the whole episode. It is not just the government or parliament but our national society that needs to ponder on this issue. I recall the Prime Minister’s genuine concern of embarrassment and humiliation if we do not make it through in the first round of voting. Sadly, we could not make it to the second round.

I am sure that the aspiration of a small nation like ours to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security by being a member of UNSC may have earned the respect and goodwill of some countries. On the other hand, I am also concerned that we may have earned reputations otherwise. For once, let us question how Cambodia and South Korea would have campaigned against us among UN member states. I have expressed this concern before. 

Amongst others, it is possible that they could have expressed lack of confidence in our ability to serve as UNSC member. Instead of them, we need to question ourselves if indeed we have such a capability. Do we have trained diplomats for such a purpose? More than the capability, which I fathom the Royal Government has assessed for itself, I used to be anxious about the prospect of voting as UNSC member in an imaginary but not impossible scenario where China and India are involved on different sides. 

How would that affect our relationships with our two immediate neighbours? Or for that matter, how would our relationship with Japan, a major donor, be affected if we had to take sides in a situation involving these three countries. If I share the government’s optimism in this failure, could it turn out to be a blessing in disguise? Could these 20 votes indeed turn out to be happiness votes?

We won only 20 votes although we had diplomatic relationships with 21 countries at the beginning of this campaign. The Prime Minister has cited our limited diplomatic relationship with other countries as the main hindrance against garnering enough support. Understanding this hindrance, we went on a roller-coaster journey of establishing diplomatic relationships with 24 more countries.

Establishing diplomatic relationships with other countries is good. However, both the timing and extent of relationships must reflect our country’s immediate and long-term interests. I wonder whether a marathon race of signing bilateral relationship agreement with 24 countries was solely dictated by circumstantial compulsion of winning support for our UNSC bid this year or whether there were other reasons. We really need to understand both the immediate and long-term rationale of establishing diplomatic relationships with many countries in a record period of time. 

For example, If (and that is a big if) our Prime Minister had agreed with Premier Wen Jiabao to establish diplomatic relationship with China for the sake of winning China’s vote in UNSC bid, we really need to re-evaluate the very basis of our foreign policy. What is of our foreign policy? What is our China policy? Of course, we have been told that establishing diplomatic relationship with China was not agreed upon. Is our policy then one of resolving Sino-Bhutan boundary issue before talking of establishing diplomatic relations or trade relation for that matter? Does this really constitute a China policy? Even without official trade relationship, we still import Chinese goods as indicated recently by import of Chinese buses where rupee is not involved. 

Many people say that the fact South Korea would win the UNSC seat was a foregone conclusion. I think even our government realized that when references were made to the extent of South Korea’s diplomatic relationship with almost every UN member-country and to the extent of their foreign aid exceeding our GDP. Could withdrawing from this race and supporting South Korea instead have won for us more good-will? Or would this have constituted an unpatriotic suggestion?

The aggressive conduct of our foreign policy in the last four years hinged on promoting Gross National Happiness through conferences and seminars and campaigning for UNSC seat deploying significant time and resources. Both converged at the theatre of UN General Assembly hall. We caught the attention of the UN’s 193 members by sponsoring a resolution for the first time. We also caught their attention by lobbying for the first time for a UNSC seat for Asia-Pacific region. 

Our government would have seen a connection between the two issues. But the world body perhaps did not see such a connection. This is clear from the difference in broad consensus on happiness resolution and dismal support for UNSC seat. Happiness is certainly not a force in international politics. It is better we redeem GNH as a domestic policy of social change and progress and take serious stock of an instructive lesson from the UN this time.

I retrieved from  https://www.facebook.com/sonam.kinga.31?ref=ts&fref=ts on 19^th December 2012

Genuine Poverty- the story of AP Dorji and Khoumo

Note: This paper was submitted as part of the Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration course at RIM-2007

                 Genuine Poverty- the story of AP Dorji and Khoumo

Kethekla is a remote village under Mongar Dzongkhag. Isolated from the mainstream urban population, it is three days walk from the nearest motorable road. People here are mainly dependent on agriculture. Kathekla juristically falls under Kengkhar Gewog but since it is 8 hours tedious walk from the road point, most people are unaware of the happenings beyond their village.

In this village live an old couple Dorji (67), and his wife Khaoumo (72). 25 years ago they were blessed with two healthy sons but they ultimately succumbed to illness and untimely death. Dorji and Khaoumo couldn’t afford to take their sons to the nearest BHU.

Dorji and Khaoumo were basically slaves under the reign of the local landlords. When His Majesty the 3^rd King abolished serfdom, they were among the many people in Mongar who received kidu of half acres of land. Since then they had been working for the rich people in the village supplementing to the produce from their own meager possession. Everyday they prayed to be blessed with a son but their prayers unfortunately were never heard. 

Today, neither do they have enough land nor can they work for others. Adding to the hardship, Dorji succumbed to paralysis 12 months back. His wife now is the only bread earner, but she is 72 and barely able to work. Adding fuel to fire, their few relatives who now live in Thimphu have shut their doors and shunned them. Every day for them is a nightmare and a serious question to their survival. Some of the villagers have been forth coming for help but for most of them themselves are surviving on meager incomes.

Their only wish today is to pray and wait for death to embrace them. Life has been very cruel indeed but they have no regrets. Core Buddhist as they are they accepted their life as a result of their past life and fate. Given the choice they would like to pray and meditate the rest of their life. Religion is their only solace.

Under the grace and guidance of Your Majesty the King, many poor and deserving people have received alms and kidu. Lives of many people have been totally transformed. People now live in safer and happier homes and with the security and comfort that Your Majesty would always look into their well-being. Your genuine acts of kindness and selfless service has also inculcated in the hearts of the people, a genuine feeling to serve and work for the well-being of the country.

But the present government policies require that people in need of kidu come and talk to local leaders. For Dorji and Khaoumo, however, traveling to the Gewog centre and talking to local leaders is as good as crossing the Atlantic and the Pacific to go to the US and speak an alien language. Moreover, they are not aware of the system and its requirements.

With Your Majesty visiting all the districts yourself and granting kidu to the needy, this couple is hopeful that they would be granted one. The only kidu they ask for is somebody to take care of their food, lodge and shelter and let them practice religion till death put them to rest. Their condition at home is in sheer destitute. Neither do they have proper shelter nor decent clothes to put on. Dorji has had the gho for over five years. When it comes to food, the produce from their small patch of land is barely enough and moreover, they are not able to work as they used to. They wish that they be put into a monastery somewhere and be allowed to pray and rest. The wrinkles on their faces tell a tearful story of hard work, struggle and hope for peace.

While the government policies have been framed keeping in mind the practicality and need of the people, time and experience has shown that there are certain loopholes in the system that bars deserving people from being granted kidu. Ap Dorji narrates a story that dates back five years ago when His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo visited Gyelpozhing He genuinely wanted to request His Majesty to kindly enroll him and his wife in a monastery somewhere. But time and again he was warned by the village leaders not to narrate any kind of story of grief and sorrow. That they should make His Majesty feel that every body is so very happy and that there is basically nothing that they needed. That under the benevolence of the Monarchs there has been tremendous peace and tranquility and that they are truly blessed to be born in Bhutan. While all of them were very true there are certain sections of people who literally are unable to hang onto the wings of development and prosperity that has blessed Bhutan. Later he learned that the village leaders were warned and pressured by the Dzongda and Dzongkhag officials to ensure that there are no incidences of that kind. The village leaders were therefore helpless too.

In truth, the true story is never presented to the higher authorities. When a high official visits some place, local leaders make sure that everything is in order and the visiting dignitaries goes back with the feeling that plans are being implemented properly and benefiting the people. Therefore, Your Majesty, the streets that you walk are not as clean as you see, the people in the villages are not as happy as they seem to be; there are problems and shortcomings. 

Another shortfall in our system is that there is a lot of paper work and (unnecessary) formalities. Given the amount of work that our village people have to put in to earn three decent meals a day, and being illiterate, people dread the amount of paper work to be fulfilled until they are eligible for whatever they are applying for. Critics term it as “bureaucratic quagmires” invented by the people to show who is in power. This is in sheer contrast with Your Majesty’s noble vision of Civil Servants as a servant of the people. Service delivery thus is very poor and torturous especially to our rural folks. It is indeed significant that the civil servants change their mindset and realize that they are being paid for the service that they provide to the people contrary to people being dependent on them.

The hierarchical answering system of our government is another shortfall. Everybody is answerable to somebody else and in the end nobody is in the position to decide. Today you visit an office, some very “important” officer is not there and there is nobody to sign. Tomorrow you go again; you need another “important” person’s opinion. There is not much of delegation of power and responsibilities. Job responsibilities are not specific and everybody is doing everything but the result is nothing. Power of decision making is centered to a few people.

There is a general consensus among the public that officials are not clear about their job responsibilities. Right people have not been placed for the right job. Often times you visit an office for some work and you will be told to get some forms. Tomorrow you go back with these forms, you will be told of another form that would be required. Therefore, people who are the custodians of different

 Service delivery fields in the government are themselves not clear on the requirements and formalities. Thus, poor farmers to whom a day of labor lost is a challenge towards survival prefer rather to work at home then run around offices. To them it makes more sense to work in their fields than to run around offices and ultimately be told that you don’t have certain forms and that you are not eligible.

However, these shortfalls can be corrected. The only thing is our people must change their mindset and be ready to accept the change.  We must now begin to think out of the box and be thankful that we have these people to serve for which we are paid. If there were no people, why would the government need to employ a lot of people wasting money? We must realize and learn to see to the people as our patrons.

As regards to answers to the above questions, I would like to suggest the following based on feed backs received from various sections of the people and with diverse experiences.

Firstly, there should be a one stop service centre in as many places as possible. These service centers should be manned by people who are familiar with the government rules and regulations and provide genuine information to the people. It should be opened as per convenience of the people who use the service and must be accessible without much trouble.

There should be proper delegation of power and responsibilities in our offices. If somebody is out of office for genuine reasons, his or her responsibility has to be delegated to some other person so that the work is not disturbed and that the chain of service delivery is not broken. Just because someone is out of office, we can’t afford to waste so many people’s time and energy. They could otherwise be informed and made sure that they do something productive.

Hence, by the standard requirements of genuine poverty ridden situation to be considered as eligible and beneficiary of Kidu, it is to hereby submit to the grace of Your Majesty that this aforementioned couple is truly eligible for the grant of royal Kidu.

Bibliography

Royal Government of Bhutan, Bhutan National Human Development Report 2005

National Statistical Bureau, the Poverty Analysis Report 2004

World Hunger Is a Staggering Problem, Retrieved on 12^th October 2007 from http://www.freedomfromhunger.org/lending/endhunger.php?origin=14

Poverty in Bhutan, Retrieved on 12^th October 2007 from http://web.worldbank.org/

Poverty, Retrieved on 13^th October 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty

Rural poverty in Bhutan, Retrieved on 13the October 2007 from http://www.ruralpovertyportal.org/English/regions/asia/btn/index.htm

United Nations Bhutan, Common Country Assessment for Bhutan, 2006 

Getting Promotion -guarenteed

10 Rules for getting guaranteed Promotion without any Hard Wo

1.  Never walk without a document in your hands

People with documents in their hand look like hardworking employees heading for important meetings. People with nothing in their hands look like they’re heading for the cafeteria. People with a newspaper in their hand look like they’re heading for the toilet. Above all, make sure you carry loads of stuff home with you at night, thus generating the false impression that you work longer hours than you do.

2. Use computers to look busy

Any time you use a computer, it looks like “work” to the casual observer. You can send and receive personal e-mail, chat and generally have a blast without doing anything remotely related to work. These aren’t exactly the societal benefits that the proponents of the computer revolution would like to talk about but they’re not bad either. When you get caught by your boss – and you *will* get caught — your best defense is to claim you’re teaching yourself to use new software, thus saving valuable training dollars.

3. Messy desk

Top management can get away with a clean desk. For the rest of us, it looks like we’re not working hard enough. Build huge piles of documents around your workspace. To the observer, last year’s work looks the same as today’s work; it’s volume that counts. Pile them high and wide. If you know somebody is coming to your cubicle, bury the document you’ll need halfway down in an existing stack and rummage for it when he/she arrives.

4. Voice Mail

Never answers your phone if you have voice mail. People don’t call you just because they want to give you something for nothing – they call because they want YOU to do work for THEM. That’s no way to live. Screen all your calls through voice mail. If somebody leaves a voice mail message for you and it sounds like impending work, respond during lunch hour when you know they’re not there – it looks like you’re hardworking and conscientious even though you’re being a devious weasel.

5. Looking Impatient and Annoyed

According to George Costanza, one should also always try to look impatient and annoyed to give your bosses the impression that you are always busy.

6. Leave the Office Late

Always leave the office late, especially when the boss is still around. You could read magazines and storybooks that you always wanted to read but have no time until late before leaving. Make sure you walk past the boss’ room on your way out. Send important emails at unearthly hours (e.g. 9:35pm, 7:05am, etc.) and during public holidays.

7.  Creative Sighing for Effect

Sigh loudly when there are many people around, giving the impression that you are under extreme pressure.

8. Stacking Strategy

It is not enough to pile lots of documents on the table. Put lots of books on the floor etc. (thick computer manuals are the best).

9.  Build Vocabulary

Read up on some computer magazines and pick out all the jargon and new products. Use the phrases freely when in conversation with bosses. Remember: They don’t have to understand what you say, but you sure sound impressive

10. MOST IMPORTANT!!!:

         DON’T forward this to your boss by mistake!!!

Source: Internet

Abstracted from : Kuendup.com

The Lineage of Taktsang “Tiger’s Nest” Paro Taktsang Monastery.

Taktsang is one of the holiest places in Bhutan the monastery is perched on a high granite cliff overlooking the northern Paro valley. This place is especially venerated because of its association with Guru Rinpoche, who is said to have flown to Paro Taktsang in the form of Dorji Drolo, mounted on a flaming dakini-tigress in the 747A.D.

Guru visited Bhutan for 3 times. His first visit to Bhutan 746 A.D from India was when he was invited to Bumthang to treat the Sindhu Raja, the ruler of Bumthang, who was seriously ill. The king was cured and was converted to Buddhism. He promised to return to Bhutan again to further propagate the Buddhist teachings.

A year later, Guru was invited to Tibet by King Thrisong Deutsen to assist him in the construction of the Samye Monastery. He traveled to Tibet, by tantric powers, he cleared away the demonic forces that were disturbing the construction of the monastery, and so the monastery was successfully completed.

During this visit in 747 A.D to Tibet, Guru Rinpoche decided to visit Bhutan again with his Tibetan consort Khandro Yeshi Tshogyel and Denma Tsemang. He travelled all over the country and blessed the people.
While in Singye Dzong inKurtoe, Guru is believed to have flown to Paro Taktsang in the form of Guru Dorji Drolo, the 8th and the final aspect that he assumed, mounting on a dakini-tigress. Before his arrival, the whole country was believed to have been inhabited by hostile evil spirits. On his arrival, he subdued eight categories of evil spirits and bounded them by solemn oath to be the protectors of teaching for all times to come.
He also concealed various forms of Dharma treasures including 3 teachings of Yoga to be discovered later by his disciples called Tertons (Treasure Discoverers). According to his biography Yidkyi Munsel, he meditated there for 4 months and blessed this place as the best among the sacred places (Ney).

Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambavha

He revealed the real form of Phurpai Kyilkhor (Vajrakiliya) and instructed upon Langchen Pelgyi Singye, one of his principle disciples (Gyalbang Nyernga) and his spiritual condort Khando Yeshi Tshogyel. The cave where Guru Rinpoche and many other renowned saints meditated is called “Drubkhang” (meditation room) or the “pelphug” (holy cave)
In Tibet at Chimphu, Guru gave initiations of the Kagyed text to his faithful disciples. His heart-disciple Langchen Pelgyi Singye who became renowned especially in the craft of subduing evil spirits was instructed to return to Paro Taktsang. Langchen Pelgyi Singye came to Taktsang in 853 A.D, and meditated in the Drubkhang for a long time. The place came to be known as Taktsang Pelphug after him. Then he went to Nepal and before dying, entrusted his body to the protector Damchen Dorji Legpa as his spiritual assistant. His body was brought back to Taktsang by Damchen Dorji Legpa and was hidden in the manner of a treasure (Terma) to be discovered later. His body is now enshrined in the deep rocks under the site of his Kudung chorten, which had been built years ago and was restored in 1982-1983.

According to the Neyig of Taktsang, compiled by Lopen Pemala, there are 9 holy caves (Phug) around the Taktsang, namely

1.Machiphug
2.Singyephug
3.Pelphug
4.Drolophug
5.Yoeselphug
6.Gadigphug
7.Choegyelphug
8.Kapaliphug
9. Phagmoiphug

Machigphug is the cave where Machig Lhabdron, incarnation of Khandro Yeshi Tshogyel, had meditated and is located above the ravine, before approaching the main Taktsang Goenpa. Singyephug can be seen nearby the small stream falling from the cliff. The stream is called Shelkarchu as it is believed that the string of glass beads were scattered around that area by Khandro Yeshi Tshogyel. The cave where Langchen Pelgyi Singye had meditated is called Pelphug seen in the main Taktsang monastery. Rest of the holy caves are said to be located somewhere behind the temple of Singye Samdrup, the protector deity of Taktsang.

Taktsang was under the charge of the Kathogpa lama since 14th century. Kathogpa lam Yeshi Bum (1245-1311), lived in the 15th century visited Taktsang where he intended to build a temple. His wish remained unfulfilled until 1508 when his nephew and disciple, Sonam Gyaltshen built the temple of Ugyen Tsemo above Taktsang.

In 1646, Zhabdrung invited Lopon Rigzin Nyingpo, the descedent of Terton Sangye Lingpa (1340-1396) from Kongpo in Tibet. Zhabdrung visited Taktsang in the company of Lopon Rigzin Nyingpo and took over the charge of Taktsang including Ugyen Tsemo from Kathogpa Lama.he appointed Jinpa Gyalthsen, brother of Desi Tenzin Rabgye, as Lama of Taktsang. Zhabdrung and Lopon Rigzin Nyingpo performed the prayer of Phurpai Kyikhor, which had been performed since then.

It is said that even though Zhabdrung had a wish to build a temple at the site where the Taktsang now stands, he could not as the construction of Paro Rinpung Dzong was underway. So he instructed Tenzin Rabgye, who was a minor at that time to build a temple. In 1692, on the command of Desi Tenzin Rabgye, the Paro Penlop Dragpa Gyaltshen built the main 2-stored temple around the Drubkhang in Taktsang and thus fulfilled Zhabdrung’s wish. It was from this time at Taktsang that system of performing annual prayer dedicated to Guru Rinpoche was introduced, which is even to this day conducted by the Tshenyid Division of the Central monastic Body.

Through numerous renovations and expansions over the following centuries, Taktsang grew into an intricate complex; some of its individual buildings are connected only by steep ladder ways. Between 1961 and 1965, the 34th Je Khenpo Sherdrup Yoezer renovated it. The latest additions were made between 1981 and 1982.

Different temples in Taktsang

On the left of the entrance stair is the building which contains the Kudung “stupa” of Langchen Pelgyi Singye whose body has been placed deep in the rocks under the site of the Kudung Chorten.

On the inner left corner is the Dorlo Lhakhang, the temple dedicated to Guru Dorji Dorlo, which had been installed by Late Lama Sonam Zangpo. In the main building, there are three temples.

The lower temple contains the cave where Guru Rinpoche and Pelgyi Singye meditated and contains a statue of Guru Dorji Drolo and statues of Phurpai Kyilkhor, which was said to have been erected by Niwari artisan Pentsa Dewa during the reign of Desi Tenzin Rabgye and of celestial palace of Guru Rinpoche (Zangtopelri).

The middle temple Guru Sungjoen Temple, temple of Guru who speaks because it is believed that when it is being transported to Taktsang, the statue of Guru spoke (sung)by itself. The most skilled artisans from Nepal, Pentsa Dewa, Dharma and Dharmashri erected the statue of Guru Sungjoen. This temple contains among other beautiful paintings of the eight manifestation of Guru, the cycle of Lama Gongdue and Tshepamed, the god of longevity.

The upper temple The Temple of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche was built under the auspices of Myangmed Chungpo from Paro and contains other intresting mural paintings. One of them depicts vividly how Zhabdung Ngawang Namgyel vanquished his Tibetan enemies.

Another building includes a temple dedicated to Singye Samdrup, the protector deity of Taktsang, Tshepamed, the god of longevity and Namthoesey (Vaosravana or Kubera), and god of wealth.
It is believed that more merit is gained if we meditate one minute in Taktsang than to meditate months together in other sacred places. Its sacred essence is that of Drubkhang/Pelphug, the holy cave in which Guru Rinpoche and many other renowned saints meditated, and also the body of Langchen Pelgyi Singye had been placed deep in the rocks under the site of Kudung Chorten. The Drubkhang is opened once a year during an annual ceremony, which is performed by the monk body for 21 days in the fifth Bhutanese month.

The literary translation of the Bhutanese word Taktsang; Tak meaning tiger and Tshang , meaning Tiger Nest.
Located at 2950m, it is the most famous and sacred hanging cliff monastery in Bhutan.
Seen from the road while heading towards Drukgyel Dzong (Ruined Fortress).
Thangthong Gyalpo (1385-1464), the Iron bridge builder, also meditated here and discovered a Terma treasure text.
Milarepa (1040-1123) is also said to have meditated in Taktsang.
A hike to this temple from the riverbed below would normally take about 2-3 hours.
Ponies can also be arranged till the viewpoint of the temple.

Abstracted from  internet  http://www.bhutanmajestictravel.com/about-bhutan/taktsang-tigers-nest

Visit to Holy Place Taktshang “TIGER NEST”

                                              Visit to Holy Place Taktshang “TIGER NEST”

Tiger Nest Monastery 

visit Taktshang in 2001

I would like to prostrate before Budhha, Dharma and Sangha for the gift of this the precious human body and especially to be born in this blessed country Drukyul (Bhutan). We Buddhists believe that a pilgrimage to holy sites purifies your sins and acquire merits in your life.  I never had the opportunity to visit the Tiger Nest for the last 11 years after my last visit in 2001, though, I have always wanted to be there each time I pass through the nearby motor road of Taktshang. On 30^th November 2012, I had the opportunity to visit again. After reaching the temple, it made me realize that I was so busy for the last eleven years. I said my prayers and thanked for granting everything that I had wished during my last visit; I completed a simple education to survive my self without any hindrance. I have two lovely daughters from my loving wife and also I have a decent job. These prayers were made inside the same temple when I was 17 years old. Thanks for all the blessings and I will continue to seek your blessings.

Convocation at Shercol- wish fulfilled

delightful moment 

Each Lhakhang I visited made me wonder as everything seems new to me, starting from the statues.  During my previous visit, it appears I had given more importance in enjoying the beauty of place and temple without appreciating the gist of this holy site though I found gut to make my prayers which are answered swiftly. I always remember my parents saying to me that that they had carried me at their back to visit this holy site through a dangerous path then.  I was 9 months old and I know how difficult it was to carry on the back and travel through such perilous path that has a record of falling people from the cliff.  This is how Bhutanese rever to this holy site.  

I got up early in the morning at 5: 30 am and prepared for the Journey. I have started my journey from Thimphu and reached Zhiwaling Hotel Paro at 8:00 AM. We started on our foot by 8:30 am from the base of the holy place (Ramthangkha).  We had reached the temple at 11:30 AM after having short tea and snacks break at the Cafeteria. The Cafeteria is set up at a wonderful place that the visitor can have a glimpse of the temple in a look through to the temple. It really touched me to see Taktshang monastery from this place as I can’t describe and explain how I felt at that moment.

Visiting Lhakhangs after eleven years is more wonderful than anything in my life at that moment and taken this opportunity to thank Guru Rimpoche for the blessings for another chance to make prayers at this holy place.  But don’t ask me what wishes and prayers I have made this time. I will let you know when I write another story of my next visit to Taktshang.

Visit to Taktshang in 2012

Note:  Please refer to the  Article Title “Legend of Taktshang” Tiger Nest to know more about Taktshang- The Tiger Nest post in this same blog

(Views expressed are personal and doesn't reflect any individual or institution's stand including organization i work. No lines will be quoted unless permission is granted by author.)

See , how people write leave Applications.

See , how people write leave Applications.  It's murder of English language. But Funny.  Just Read It. The Leave Applications;)   A GNM from JDWNRH: Applied for leave as follows: "Since I have to go to my village to sell my land along with my wife , please sanction me one-week leave." This is from a Primary Teacher-a keralite: who was performing the "mundan" ceremony of his 10 year old son: "as I want to shave my son's head , please leave me for two days.." Another gem from NEC-Thimphu, Leave-letter from an employee who was performing his daughter's wedding: "as I am marrying my daughter , please grant a week's leave.." From  Administration section of MoHCA: "As my mother-in-law has expired and I am only one responsible for it , please grant me 10 days leave." Another employee from BBSC applied for half day leave as follows: "Since I've to go to the cremation ground at 10 o-clock and I may not return , please grant me half day casual leave" An incident of a leave letter: "I am suffering from fever , please declare one-day holiday." A leave letter to the headmaster: "As I am studying in this school I am suffering from headache. I request you to leave me today" Another leave letter written to the headmaster: "As my headache is paining , please grant me leave for the day." Covering note: "I am enclosed herewith..." An official rely from MoLHR to a businessman: "Dear Sir: with reference to the above , please refer to my below..." Actual letter written for application of leave by an MP (DPT): "My wife is suffering from sickness and as I am her only husband at home I may be granted leave". Letter writing by my son:- "I am well here and hope you are also in the same well." A perspective candidate's job application: "This has reference to your advertisement calling for a ' Typist and an Accountant - Male or Female'... As I am both(!! )for the past several years and I can handle both with good experience , I am applying for the post.