Realization: I am ‘somebody’

To be a social agent of positive change, you don’t need special talents, work under catchy themed organizations, wear T-shirts with creatively unrealistic slogans or seek budget. If you realize that you are somebody who can do something constructive for the society in your own capacity and enact it, you qualify as a great social agent. You can fight against endangering the endangered!

Realization is what Buddha perfected and he attained enlightenment through it. When we live life, questions arise in our minds and doubts too. Imagination is always wonderful but lower than reality applications. We face a mixed variety of emotions and responding to it is necessary to meet satisfaction. When we face a problem, we think many thoughts but seldom do we realize that we can do something to confront the conflict. The human tendency of blaming or waiting for someone is the biggest obstacle of realization. The power within us is released when we realize our true potential rather than waiting for some magic to happen. 

For instance, your immediate environment is full of waste and you hope for somebody to do something about it, then the solution to the issue may or may not come in time. But if you realize that you can be that ‘somebody’ and then act, the solution is within your reach. It is a stereotyped concept or some other tendency for people to depend on someone or the government to do everything. Nevertheless we must know that we possess certain potential to do something in our own capacity. Remember the government is one and we are many. We can act in our own simple ways to contribute to the bigger purpose. 

So, the next time you see a problem (within your ability), please realize that you are somebody who can do something to solve the setback.

Of Flying Gods and Goddessess: Lhading Goenpa

*Anecdote of my Trip to Lhading, Paro*

16 January,2014

Lhading is some 25 km of rough ride from Drugyel dzong. It is a privately owned lhakhang and very sacred. According to local legend, a Sacha lama had a dream of flying gods and goddesses (thus the name Lhading which means flying/hovering gods and goddesses) above a lake. Thus the saint visited the place that he saw in his auspicious dream. As in the dream, there was a lake (the present location of the temple). So it was a divine prophesy that he should built a lhakhang over the lake. The present lhakhang is supposed to be built over a lake. The main statues consists of a Jow, Buddha and Chenrigzig. The temple biography states that all these statues were sculptured in Tibet and brought there. Also, the Buddha and Chenrigzig statues are supposed to be made of a very precious metal (much precious than gold). The Jow is supposed to be a wish fulfilling statue and it is said that the statue showed various auspicious and supernatural signs and manifestations. 

 The temple also has a huge Chow poti (sacred book). It is believed that if one can lift and hold it over one's head, your sins will be cleansed. (I did it but with much effort). More, there are five statues known as Ringas and amongst them, one is a sung joenma statue ( a stutue who spoke). The account mentioned herein are translated from the local lama's explanation on the temple. Lhading is a sacred and isolated gonpa that one shouldn't miss if you visit Paro. But, a word of caution- you should ride a pickup or a hilux or any other off-road vehicle as the road gets tricky and bumpy as you cross Drugyel dzong.

A moment to remember

Two of my class XA students requested me to come to the class for some discussion.  And I find some time and visit the class with a notion that they had some doubts to clear.
The most shockingly unexpected thing happened when a girl represented the class and expressed words of gratitude to me. They also took the trouble to print a large sized class photo with an elaborate frame attached to it and presented it to me. I was out of words when they thanked me for all the love and care I showered upon them. The guidance and the teaching too.
I thanked them and promised to keep the token with me at all times. I also said some words of advice for their life. I was really touched by their love and gratitude.
As a teacher, I'm overwhelmed to be in this situation and it gives me the greatest pleasure.
Thank you dear students, it is truly a moment to remember!

Success and failure

Success is not final and failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.
~ Winston Churchill

Examinations… Education and Other Alternatives: A Student Speaks

The rigorous contemplation on the persisting ritual of examination within Bhutan is still under the trap of whether it is legitimate to examine student’s knowledge and capabilities in any field. Despite this gutless investigation, the government is presently combing for alternative, which already reveal programs like Scout Winter Camp, National Jamboree, Golden Youth Award and so and so forth.

These programs are intercollegiate, extempore, nexus and effective with every appropriate field that familiarize the precise comprehension, ability, diligence and dimension of each and every brain. The vivid implications of such ultimate organizations ultimately expose that examinations cannot be the only strategy for sieving pupils authentically in times to come, thereby showing its crucial complexities.

The formal education, which upholds extensive prominence, is usually measured through conducting examinations and visualizing and elaborating on their performance. It is also utterly apparent that academic sessions in educational institutions just immensely emphasize on examinations that probably concern the field of subject performance and only what is in the syllabus. Examinations identify only the level of the education but not the actual capabilities of student in alternative activities, which leads to mischoosing of stellar out of bests.

It is also a merit to stress on other alternatives which is growing in Bhutan just now. Although Bhutanese pupils at present cannot rely on these optional programs or fields (i.e. sports, general knowledge, cultural activities, creativeness, literacy programs), it is proactive care to proliferate such programs and bound their root in ground as seeds. Education examined with examinations should be contemporary to the other enthusiastic programs and go hand in hand to approve the best youths and citizens. Their simultaneous progress will invigorate the obscure situations in Bhutan to form a dignified education system.

Indeed, the government is taking initiatives to encourage this system in the country and it is Chairman Mao said, ‘A great leap forward.’ However it is our responsibility to acknowledge the initiatives and do not let it to fall flat on its belly.

Pemba Dorji

IX D, Samtengang MSS