Pride of representing Bhutan in California.

BHUTAN, “Is it part of India or China, or is it somewhere in the African continent?”  An annoying question from people who do not have any idea about the existence of Bhutan on the earth. Is Bhutan a happiest country in the world? An intimidating question from the people who more or less know about the Bhutan.  Our country’s presence is not at all known to many and somewhat to very few. Therefore, what it meant to be a first Bhutanese to study in Claremont colleges (five colleges including Pitzer college in Claremont city)?

Apart from vigorous and inclusive academic learnings, utilizing resourceful facilities, encountering people from across the world, and travelling around the places, introducing and representing our Country and College as one of the first Bhutanese to study at Pitzer, was one proudest, fulfilling and memorable part of my exchange program. It truly was an honor and pride just to say that “I am from Bhutan” and exchange or showcase our culture and values with people from across the world. Wearing a gho on occasions, carrying Yathra (woolen) bag and greeting people with kuzuzangpola became a magnet of social network where I could draw the peoples’ attention and interest about Bhutan. In fact, many of them became my friends, acquaintances and learners about Bhutan. Classmates in the classes, random people on the street, friends and families at the meal table, sweepers on the pathways, chef and waiters in dining hall, and officials and professional in the offices would inquire so many things about Bhutan and its culture. However, of many I will share two interesting and memorable incidences from my diary which I have written at some point of time.

 First, it was on November 1^st, on our His majesty’s coronation day, dressed in gho with yathra bag hung over my shoulder, I was hurrying for a Buddhist meditation class at Pomona college (one of the Claremont colleges), a man in fifties filled with passion and inquisitiveness stopped me on the way and surprisingly greeted me, Kuzuzangpo la. According to him, he learns and follows Bhutan through the channel of national geography, discovery and wonders list of world of CNN channel. The surprising and funny thing was, during our conversation, he hugged me tightly saying that he wanted to share happiness from me just because he views Bhutan as the land of happiness. We talked about Bhutan for almost more than half an hour and eventually I had to miss my class. However, that day was memorable and fulfilling.

Another cherish-able incidence was during winter vacation, when I visited Norton Simon museum in Pasadena city. Again I was in my gho walking majestically and looking carefully to the portraits hung on the wall, at the front door of one compartments’ inside the museum, one lady security guard stepped backward and saluted to me as soon as I entered through the door. It was really awkward but I had to be serious and I uncomfortably bowed to her.

From such responses and reactions from the people, I realized sometimes you are not recognized individually or of who you are. Rather you are recognized through where you are from and who you represent and I think I represented Bhutan and its culture with much love and pride. In fact, I would summarize my exchange program experience as mounting of patriotism and spiritualism.

My answers to their questions of which I mentioned in the beginning:

1-    ‘Do not ask me is Bhutan, a part of India or china, or somewhere in African continent? just ask me where is Bhutan?’.

2-    Bhutan is definitely …Ahmmm….not the happiest country in the world but we pursue happiness.          

NOTE: Wrote this one in 2017

111th National Day- A National day like never before.

In the history of Bhutan, we have seen numerous celebrations of so many joyous and auspicious occasions. Of many, no day has more significance and importance as National Day of the country. It is an indication of country’s sovereignty and independence. Perhaps it is a liberation of the country from others rule or gaining self-determination in Western context/elsewhere. No country or state can celebrate the national day if she is not independent and sovereign. Celebration of national day emboldens the national’s identity and security of the nation.

Since 1907 Bhutan has celebrated 110 times of national days so far in different places and this years’ been celebrated in Samtse district. This year’s 111^th National Day is yet another testament of eternal peace and prosperity under the farsighted leadership of our beloved monarchs. As one of the millennials, I was unfortunate to have unseen many celebrations of National day. As far as I can remember, 2018’s 111^th national day is something that moved me and I think is different from others.

As Bhutan is blessed by the three great spiritual masters- Guru, Zhabdrung and Pema Lingpa, the national day of triple one (111) is graced and blessed by the great trio of His Majesty the great fourth, His Majesty and His holiness the Jekhenpo. Day has also seen three kings of Bhutan taking the joy and festivity of the national day to a greater level. Humbly respecting and bowing to each other before the Bhutanese and the world. Even our Gyalse Rinpoche exhibited such a greatness at very tender age of barely three years by bowing to the great fourth and Chabje Rinpoche at the reception.

The sensational and heart touching moment of the 111^th national day was, His Majesty on behalf of Bhutanese people presenting an award of Ngadgak Pel gi Kholrlo  to His Holiness the Jekhenpo for his lifetime Bodhisattva service to the nation and sentient beings. There was embodiment of epitome respect and humility in these three greats (HM, 4^th HM and Chabje). Like any other ordinary award recipients, Chabje Rinpoche humbly stood up and walked towards the podium under the compassionate escort of our Great Fourth. While His Holiness is supposed to come before the podium to receive the award, His Majesty requested Chabje that, Majesty himself would come up and present the award ༼རྗེ་ང་རང་ཡར་བཅར་འོང་ལགས།།༽ There was personification of highest humility and humbleness from our highest one. It was a moment brimmed with tears of happiness for Bhutanese people. When such greatness come together, even the weather could not follow its schedule and had to shed its flake of happiness before time.

Even the day in general was different from other national day celebrations. By virtue of celebrating in Samtse, most events of the day and cultural programs had so much of diversity and inclusivity. The live and color were more brighter and livelier.  One could see on television, the people’s pride and keen in national culture as they perform programs wholeheartedly. Apart from people assimilating in the mainstream culture, the events from different community of our Lhotshampa fellow citizens had made the day unique and interesting in many aspects. I am sure that embracing of culture have immensely contributed to the Gross National Happiness.

Of everything, the national day in Bhutan is an opportunity for us to express our gratitude to our benevolent hereditary monarchs for continued peace and prosperity in the country. May Wangchuck Dynasty live forever and, May Dharma flourish for all times to come. May peace and prosperity prevail in the land of Thunder dragon for all times to come. Kadrinche Mewang chok. Palden Drukpa Gyalo!!!