The Role of Buddhist Scholars in Promoting Gross National Happiness

One hundred and eleven monks and nuns of the Gangteng Buddhist institute were awarded certificates of three levels of qualification by the Prime Minister, Lyonchhen Jigmi Y Thinley, on October 11.

35 scholars obtained degrees in Master of Arts (Achariya) in Buddhist philosophy, 33 got Bachelor of Arts (Shastri) in Buddhist philosophy, while 43 students, including 11 nuns, completed Madhiyamika course (diploma) on language and Buddhist philosophy. Nuns, who completed tertiary education (class XII) from Pema Shedrup Choki Gatshel nunnery in Tang, Bumthang were the first batch. Continue reading The Role of Buddhist Scholars in Promoting Gross National Happiness

Semtokha Dzong: History Lives On

FIRST BUILT TO LAST – Semtokha Dzong, restored and consecrated

If walls could speak the Semtokha Dzong would tell fascinating stories of the days when the Bhutanese polity was established, when fact and mythology merged to form Bhutanese history.

On October 14, His Majesty the King, His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo, the royal family, Bhutanese and international dignitaries, and the people of Thimphu, attended a simple and profoundly spiritual ceremony to consecrate the restored dzong.

The ceremony was conducted by His Holiness the Je Khenpo, invoking the blessings and essence of the wisdom of dragmar, dedicated to the wrathful form of Guru Lohita Rudra. Continue reading Semtokha Dzong: History Lives On

Lifestyle Diseases Double Risk of Kidney Failure

The number of patients on dialysis has more than quadrupled over the last decade

Diabetes and hypertension will become two of the major causes of kidney failure in Bhutan within the next ten years, say doctors. In developing countries like Bhutan today, infection however is still the major cause of kidney damage. But the rise of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension has doubled the risk.

“If hypertension and diabetes are not tackled, they’ll lead to kidney failure,” said medical specialist and dialysis physician at the Thimphu referral hospital, Dr Tashi Wangdi. He said that about 60 percent of diabetics are likely to suffer from kidney failure.

When the dialysis unit opened in Thimphu in 1998, there were only eight patients. Today, there are about 36 patients on dialysis. Dialysis is a process, which filters the blood of its toxic waste. Continue reading Lifestyle Diseases Double Risk of Kidney Failure

Taiwan’s TITV Weekly Reports on Bhutan

Since September, TITV Weekly, Taiwan’s first indigenous and budding broadcast news program in English, has been doing a special report on “one of the happiest countries on the world, Bhutan.” The report is a series of TV broadcasts introducing “Bhutan’s culture, education, tourism, and a new, modernized Bhutan.”

Preservation of Bhutanese Culture


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Community Forest – Sowing the seeds of GNH

100th Community Forest handed over to Limbu people as part of centenary celebrations

9 October, 2008 – The social forestry division under the agriculture ministry handed over the 100th community forest on October 6 as part of the celebrations of 100 years of Monarchy in Bhutan.

The 100th community forest, Woongbab community forest, was handed over in Thimphu to the management group of Limbu gewog, Punakha.

Agriculture minister, Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, said that giving an opportunity for local communities to participate in decision making and management of resources was the only policy that promotes all four pillars of Gross National Happiness. Continue reading Community Forest – Sowing the seeds of GNH

Effective Delivery of Kidu to the People

Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck

In the course of His Majesty King Khesar’s many tours around the country, His Majesty has granted kidu to the most vulnerable sections of society including, among many others, the disabled, aged, destitute and also students needing financial aid to attend school. In order to ensure the effective delivery of such kidu to the beneficiaries, His Majesty has instructed Their Royal Highnesses the Princesses to constantly travel and work in various dzongkhags. While Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck is based in Thimphu, Ashi Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck lives in Mongar and Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck in Bumthang.

Their Royal Highnesses live with the people in order to evaluate and monitor welfare kidu programmes for destitute individuals and students, both from the perspective of improving the well being of the recipient as well as the system as a whole. Their Highnesses undertake regular visits to remote villages in all gewogs in the dzongkhags in order to interact with the youth and rural communities on behalf of His Majesty. Continue reading Effective Delivery of Kidu to the People

Wake Up! PM Tells the World

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Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, just six kilometers away from the collapsing stock markets of Wall Street, Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley called the world leaders to break away from the shackles of the powerful market forces.

“Economic wellbeing is not human wellbeing,” he told the Assembly on Friday, as heads of nations listened to a voice asking the world to cooperate and not compete.

Standing behind a marble podium bearing the UN logo as the first democratically elected prime minister of Bhutan, the small Bhutan flag pin shone in contrast to the simple black gho he wore.

“We need to wake up from our narcissistic slumber and self-indulgence,” he told the 63rd session of the Assembly. Continue reading Wake Up! PM Tells the World

Museum at Dodedra Shedra in Thimphu Inaugurated

October 01: A meuseum was inaugurated at the Dodedra Shedra in Thimphu yesterday. The shedra is located about three hours walking distance from the Samtenling roadhead.

The museum was inaugurated by the Venerable Drabi Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang and the Director of Dratshang Lhentshog Karma Penjor.

Speaking to BBS the Principal of Dodedra Shedra Khenpo Sangay Dorji said the museum is a tribute to the monarchs of the kingdom and is to celebrate the coronation of His Majesty the King.

Continue reading Museum at Dodedra Shedra in Thimphu Inaugurated

The Aiela – A Grandmother of Goddesses

Monpas believe in appeasing local deities before seeking medical treatment

30 September, 2008 – Dewlemo, 55, has been bedridden for almost a month. She suffers from joint pains and complains of pain in her chest. But she never thought of visiting the nearest Basic Health Unit, about a four-hour walk from her village in Phumzur.

It was not the distance that kept her in the corner of her old smoky house. She had offended Aiela, their local deity, an astrologer had said. Continue reading The Aiela – A Grandmother of Goddesses

Operation Sight Restoration

GLAD TO SEE YOU AGAIN – Thimphu eye team brings light to the Layap vision-challenged

30 September, 2008 – For eight years Kinley Om lived in the dark, deprived of her vision and unaware of the dramatic changes taking place around her.

She is 73 years old and lives in Laya. At an altitude of about 4000 metres above sea level, Laya is one of the coldest places on earth. It is a five-day walk from the nearest road.

Laya embodies the mammoth task Bhutan faces in taking services to remote areas. That difficulty is symbolised in the form of Kinley Om, who has been blind for eight years and, given the distance and her age, had given up hope of ever seeing again. She had though prayed to god. Continue reading Operation Sight Restoration