Thursday, April 17, 2025

Arrival of Kuenkhen Longchen Rabjam in Shingkhar and the Establishment of the Dechenling Lhakhang: A Historical and Spiritual Journey

 Shingkhar Before Longchenpa

Long ago, the area now known as Shingkhar village was historically referred to as Rinchengang, located south of the present-day settlement. As documented in the autobiography of Terton Lethro Lingpa, this ancient village holds profound spiritual significance, with numerous sacred sites linked to Guru Rinpoche, emphasizing its sanctity. The village is traditionally safeguarded by Phola Drakpa Gyeltshen of Yangjan to the northeast and Neydak Bina Parta of Yangbrak to the south, protecting Shingkhar from the negative influences. Additionally, some of the traditional households in Shingkhar revering Palden Lhamo as their principal deity, reflects the community’s deep-rooted spiritual heritage. 

 

Rinchengang village shared characteristics typical of ancient Bhutanese settlements, with houses strategically located far apart in areas abundant in wood and water to sustain livelihoods. While traces of Buddhism were evident, the practice of Bon persisted into the late 21st century, reflecting the enduring presence of this ancient religion in the locality. The Yak Lha festival, observed by nomads of Shingkhar who reared yaks during the seventh month of the Tibetan calendar, serves as a testament to the continued influence of Bon traditions.

Arrival of Kuenkhen Longchenpa and Establishment of Shingkhar Dechenling


In 1359, one of the foremost Dzogchen master Longchen Rabjam Drimed Ozer, widely regarded among Dzogchen practitioners as the reincarnation of Vimala Mitra,
[1] visited Bhutan[2] at a ripe age of 51 years. and established eight spiritual sanctuaries in the form of Monasteries and Hermitages. These sanctuaries include Tharpaling, Ugyen Choling, and Shingkhar Dechenling in Bumthang; Nyelug Drechaling, Khothang Rinchenling, and Kuenzangling in Shar Valley; Samtenling in Paro; and Kuenzangling in Kurtoe. Besides, he is also believed to have founded 16 minor sanctuaries across Bhutan.

 

While Tharpaling is widely recognized as Longchenpa’s primary meditation center, Shingkhar’s Drogri Rinchen Jungney holds equal significance as his foremost hermitage. To the right of Drogri Rinchen Jungney lies the Drupchu of Za Rahula, a sacred spring steeped in local lore. It is said Rahula, weary of fetching water from behind Golai Mountains, pierced the ground with his index finger at the present day drupchu site, causing the spring to emerge. 

 

Today, the drupchu, revered for its healing properties is piped to supply Shingkhar’s drinking water and draws devotees from other places seeking relief from ailments like Zadrip (minor strokes). The government’s installation of a modern piping system ensures the community’s access to the Drupchu all round the year, while preserving its spiritual significance. Norlha Wangchuk, who accompanied Longchenpa, became the guardian deity of Shingkhar and established his abode at the magnificent Wazibrak in the northern part of the village. Together with Phola Drakpa Gyeltshen of Yangjan guarding the village from northeast and Neydak Bina Parta of Yangbrak protecting the village from the south, Shingkhar gained a triangular divine protection.


Zakhang for Za Rahula in Shingkhar Dechenling


Longchenpa founded Naktsang (Noble House) at Samling[3] in Chumey. It was during his stay at the Samling house that he revealed his stableman’s concealed divine identity as Za Rahula. In gratitude, Longchenpa offered to build a zakhang (protector shrine) at a site chosen by Rahula himself: a place “without dirty water from above or smoke from below.” Shingkhar alone met these criteria, leading to the construction of a modest wooden structure -the first Shingkhar Lhakhang. Longchenpa divided his time between teaching at Shingkhar Lhakhang and meditating at Drogri Rinchen Jungney, where the foundational elements of the Longchen Nyingthik tradition took shape.

 


The discovery of Longchenpa’s throne within the present-day Lhakhang underscores its role as the spiritual and instructional nucleus for propagating his teachings, During this period, Longchenpa was assisted by his principal Dharma protectors—Za Rahula, Ekajati, and Damchen Dorje Legpa—who safeguarded his writings, gathered materials, and ensured the preservation of his teachings. These Three Terma Protectors, known as Ma Za Dam sum were intrinsically linked to his literary and meditative work, with Rahula scripting his teachings, Ekajati securing resources, and Dorje Legpa supplying ink, as they vowed to protect every word of his legacy. Shingkhar thus stands as the foremost site where Longchenpa’s life of teaching, writing, and meditation unfolded under the vigilant guidance of these enlightened protectors.

 

Jamyang Drakpa Yoezer -The  Lineage Holder 

In 1356, Longchenpa fathered a son, Jamyang Drakpa Yoezer, from a secret consort at Tharpaling. After Longchenpa’s departure to Tibet, Jamyang Drakpa Yoezer became the custodian of Samling Naktsang, which housed sacred treasures discovered by Za Rahula and Longchenpa. Jamyang Drakpa Yoezer was barely 8 years when his father the Great Longchepa passed away in Tibet. Most historical accounts focus on his role as a lineage holder of the Nyingtik teachings but do not delve into his personal or familial life. However, Jamyang Drakpa Yoezer bore two sons Nima Drakpa and Thuksey Dawa Drakpa from his consort Machik Gyeltshen. 


Tsezang Thayey Drakpa builds the First Shingkhar Lhakhang 

Thuksey Dawa’s son Tsezang Thayey Drakpa, born in 1422, later played a pivotal role in upgrading Shingkhar Lhakhang. He constructed a proper zakhang dedicated to Za Rahula and built a meditation house at Drogri Rinchen Jungney. He also founded Shingkhar Naktsang, a residence for successive Shingkhar Lams. According to the late Shingkhar Lama Dasho Kunzang Wangchuk, Tsezang Thayey Drakpa is credited as the first person to build a proper Lhakhang in Shingkhar. Unable to afford precious nangtens, he is believed to have enshrined a stone throne of Longchenpa at the center of the temple as its main relic. 

 

Though few written records detail his life, Tsezang Thayey Drakpa is believed to have devoted a significant part of his life to meditation. He demonstrated his exceptional engineering capability, single-handedly constructing a mule track that crosses many treacherous mountains, cliffs, and valleys but ultimately connecting Shingkhar with the Zhongmey Villlage in Kurtoe. 

Consecration of the Lhakhang and the start of Shingkhar Rabney Chenmo by Lama Joboedma 

Tsezang Thayey Drakpa’s son[4] Lama Jaboedma was born in 1475, a figure of comparable learning, artistic skill, and spiritual realization to Longchenpa, his master Pema Lingpa, and his own father Tsezang Thayey Drakpa. Widely regarded as Pema Lingpa’s disciple, Lama Jaboedma’s lineage carries a unique significance, as Pema Lingpa is considered the reincarnation of Longchenpa. Some accounts suggest Lama Jaboedma waited until his advanced age to receive teachings and blessings directly from Pema Lingpa, the recognized rebirth of Longchenpa. Lama Jaboedma became the first Shingkhar lama, earning his name from supernatural abilities enabling travel to Ja (India) and Boed (Tibet) in a single day.

While Tsezang Thayey Drakpa established the physical structure of Shingkhar Dechenling Lhakhang, it was his son, Lama Jaboedma, who enriched its spiritual and artistic legacy. Lama Jaboedma furnished the interiors and initiated the first Shingkhar Rabney, marking the consecration of the Lhakhang built by his father. For the first time, ceremonies of Lama Norbu Jamtsho and Peling Chhador Tumpo, treasures of Guru Rinpoche discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa, were performed in Shingkhar Lhakhang, a tradition that continues to this day. 


A master craftsman and scholar, Lama Jaboedma carved wooden statues of his father Tsezang Thayey Drakpa, Guru Rinpoche, and the Drolkar (White Tara), which remain central relics of the Lhakhang. He also crafted sacred masks of protector deities like Lhamo and Gembo, as well as the Chochong[5] (Yakcham), which became integral to Shingkhar’s annual Rabney festival. These sacred artifacts, preserved as nangten (sacred objects), transformed Shingkhar Lhakhang into a repository of both Longchenpa’s lineage and Lama Jaboedma’s artistic devotion. His contributions bridged the architectural foundation laid by his father with the spiritual vitality that defines Shingkhar’s enduring significance.

Shingkhar Lama Kuenga Wangpo scales up Dechenling Lhakhang

Lam Jaboedma’s son, Kuenga Wangpo (born 1532), oversaw a significant expansion of Shingkhar Lhakhang, bringing it to its current scale. During his tenure, the revered master Trulku Chogdhen Gyembo, believed to be a reincarnation of Terton Dorji Lingpa visited Shingkhar Lhakhang and recognizing the sacredness of Lhakhang, hand crafted and installed a life-size copper statue of Buddha, present day known as Yidam. Terton Leythro Lingpa also came to Dechenling on his way to visit Pema Lingpa.

 

As noted by Pema Lingpa in his Biography, Lama Jaboedma was his disciple. Later many devotees believed that the Statue possessed wish-fulfilling attributes. Kuenga Wangpo further enriched the temple by installing statues of Guru Tsengye (Eight Manifestations of Guru Rinpoche), Dorji Sempa (Vajrasattva), Kuenkhen Longchenpa, and Pema Lingpa, alongside a reliquary stupa containing the remains of his late father, Lam Jaboedma. 

Shingkhar Lama Tenzin Namgyel Renovates the Ground Floor 

From the tenure of the Shingkhar Lama Phuntshok Jungney (born 1587) through the Lama Namgyel Dorji (1632) and Lama Yeshey Wangpo (1684), no recorded renovations occurred at Shingkhar Lhakhang. However, in 1778, during the tenure of the Shingkhar Lama Tenzin Namgyel (born 1738), the Lhakhang underwent another renovation, focusing on the ground floor where a slightly larger-than-life Buddha statue was installed alongside statues of Tsepame (Amitayus). 



Decades later in 1850, Paro Penlop Tsheltrim Namgyel fulfilled a vow by installing a golden pinnacle (sertok) atop the Lhakhang. This act stemmed from a story in which Tsheltrim, as a young courtier, had prayed before the Yidam at Shingkhar to ascend to the rank of Penlop -a wish later realized, prompting his return to honor the sacred site. 

Lama Jangchub Dorji raises the floor level but submerges Longchen Throne

By 1916, as villagers-built houses uphill from Shingkhar Lhakhang, concerns about water seepage damaging the temple prompted Shingkhar Lama Jangchub Dorji to raise the floor level by filling it with mud and stones. This inadvertently submerged Longchenpa’s sacred throne beneath the earth. 

Nyungne Rimpoche constructs Drogri Rinchen Jungney Lhakhang

Nyungne Rimpoche of Ura Wamtse renovated Drogri Rinchen Jungney Monastery. He constructed a two-story structure; the ground floor of which was used for residential purposes and and the first floor as a Lhakhang housing Choe-Lung-Trul sum statue. Simultaneously, Nyungne Rinpoche also restored murals on the top floor of Shingkhar Lhakhang. Later, the 12th Shingkhar Lam, Kunzang Wangchuk also known as Dasho Shingkhar Lam was identified as the reincarnate of Nyungne Rinpoche. 

 

Late Shingkhar Lama Dasho Kunzang Wangchuk’s aspiration to renovate Dorgri Rinchen Jungney was realized in 1961. The most learned sculpture of the time, Lopen Choeda Rimpoche, completed the installation of a two-storied statue of Guru Rinpoche  and a  statue of Longchenpa and Jigme Lingpa each measuring one-storied.


 

Later in 2011-2012, Shingkhar Lama Ngodup Dorji, initiated a major renovation. With financial support from William Hinman Foundation and community contribution made through SDPT, the renovation works focused on the expansion of the old structure while preserving its historical and spiritual essence and was successfully completed in 2021. The Rabney and the consecration of the sertok of the Lhakhang was graced by Gyaltsab Trulku in 2022



Population of Shingkhar grows and Lama Kencho Gyeltshen addresses the space constraint in the Lhakhang 

 

In 1943, Shingkhar Lama Kencho Gyeltshen initiated renovations to address space constraints caused by population increase at Shingkhar Lhakhang. The understanding between the Lama and the Villagers was that Lama financed the project and villagers provided labor. The expansion included the installation of a one-storied statue of Guru Rinpoche consecration of which was done by none other than the most revered former Namkhai Nyingpo Rimpoche who happened to be passing through Shingkhar from Tibet.


 Dasho Shingkhar Lam Kunzang Wangchuk and the last of the renovation works in Shingkhar Lhakhang

In 1980, late Dilgo Khentse Rimpoche recognizing Shingkhar Lhakhang as the foremost zakhang in the monasteries established by Longchepa, installed and consecrated a statue of Za Rahula that measures little over 30 cm. 

 

In 1986, Late Shingkhar Lama Dasho Kunzang Wangchuk, in collaboration with the Shingkhar community, spearheaded a major renovation of the ground floor of Shingkhar Lhakhang. During the renovation, it was discovered that most of the statues in the temple had deteriorated beyond repair. Consequently, new statues were installed, including the Buddhas of three times (དུས་གསུམ་སངས་རྒྱས). Additionally, separate compartments -Zakhang, Goenkhang, and Lha-Goenkhang—were constructed. Following these developments, Late Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche consecrated the temple by installing life force stones (བླ་རྡོ) for both male and female deities. 


In 2000, the Shingkhar community, led by the late Shingkhar Lama Dasho Kunzang Wangchuk and retired Dasho Tenzin Plezang, sought approval from His Majesty the Fourth King to renovate Shingkhar Lhakhang. During the renovation, the submerged throne of Longchenpa was recovered, and a new wooden throne with a life-sized statue of Longchenpa was installed on the recovered stone throne. To address persistent moisture from underground springs (drangsung lastso) damaging the wooden floors, these were permanently replaced with locally sourced flat stones. 

 

A significant modification during this renovation was the reorientation of the Lhakhang from facing west to facing east due to limited space for further expansion in the western direction. In writings displayed on the walls of Shingkhar Lhakhang, Dasho Shingkhar Lam noted that some community members contributed their family-owned land for expanding the Lhakhang campus, while many other devotees provided financial support. He also noted that most of the paintings, tailoring, and designs were executed using his own skills and limited financial resources.


In 2011, Shingkhar Dechenling Phenday Tsogpa (SDPT) initiated the Longchepa Thongdrol Project under the supervision of Dasho Shingkhar Lam, with the financial support received from the devotees of Longchenpa and the well wishers of Shingkhar Community. The embroidery and tailoring works were completed in 2013. The Rabney of the new Thongdrol, a moment of profound blessing, was performed by Lama Namkhai Nyingpo at Thimphu Zangdho Pleri. 


Then, at the dawn of 2014, coinciding with the Shingkhar Rabney Chenmo,  the Thongdrol made its journey to Shingkhar. Frail from a decade-long illness, Dasho Shingkhar Lam's presence at Rabney, accompanying the Longchen Thongdrol, was more than just an attendance; it was an emotional reunion with his community members whom he loved so much. Little did anyone know, it would be his last Rabney, his final blessing bestowed upon the land he cherished, before his passing in October 2014.

Shingkhar Lhakhang Post Dasho Shingkhar Lama 

Following the passing of Dasho Shingkhar Lam, the Shingkhar Dechenling Lhakhang saw continued development, primarily through the construction of supporting infrastructures. While no major renovations were undertaken on the main Lhakhang structure itself, essential facilities such as the public kitchen, wangkhang, chamkhang and the Lama's Zimching (residence) were built, largely funded by the Royal Government of Bhutan. 

 

However, the most significant addition to the Lhakhang after Dasho Shingkhar Lam's passing was the installation of the Chador Tumpo Shrine. Even during his illness, Dasho Shingkhar Lam's spiritual connection with Shingkhar remained unwavering; he instructed his children to construct a separate shrine dedicated to Chana Dorji and his retinue, ensuring the continuation of the sacred Peling Chador Tumpo traditions. In 2017, honoring their late father's wishes, his family installed a statue of Chador Tumpo alongside his divine entourage, a heartfelt tribute to a figure who embodies the very heritage of Shingkhar

 


Despite repeated renovations, Shingkhar Dechenling Lhakhang still struggles with structural and environmental issues due to its ancient design. Its survival, shaped by centuries of challenges and the dedication of successive Shingkhar Lamas’ and the Shingkhar community, reflects its lasting spiritual importance. While urgent repairs are needed for aging wooden components and stone walls, there is a need for the Shingkhar community to find lasting solutions to avoid constant renovations to preserve both its historical integrity and the spiritual devotion that has come over 600 years.



[1] Longchen Rabjam Drimed Ozer is also widely acknowledged as the reincarnate of Lhamo Yangchenma, Lhacham Pemasal /Pema Ledreltsal, the daughter of King Thrisong Deutsen.

[2] Longchenpa journeyed to Bhutan to escape political instability in Tibet, where his affiliation with the Drikung Kagyu school -a rival to the Tibetan King of the time Tai Situ -led to an assassination attempt.

 

 

[3]Samling, previously known as Samtencholing, was a place haunted by evil spirits and nagas. The entire ridge was described as a lying snake representing nāga (ཀླུ་བདུད) Initially, there was neither a settlement nor a water source for living. The Great Longchenpa accompanied by his stableman laid the foundation of main Lhakhang and successfully subdued all the evil spirits of the valley and also with the help of dakinis found a water source  

 

[4] Tsezang Thayey Drakpa bore another son named Sonam Rinchen who remained as Samling Lama when his sibling Jaboedma went on to become the first Shingkhar Lama. 

[5] One night, Lama Jaboedma was drawn to spend the evening in the Lhaknang. During his sleep, he dreamt of a dark lady who instructed him to visit the Goenkhang. She revealed that within it lay a pair of yak horns, an offering made to Longchenpa by a Tsomen (water nymph) at Gang Tokar. Some legends also claim these horns belonged to a mythical yak associated with Longchenpa. The dark lady told Lama Jaboedma that the time had come for him to act upon this discovery.

The following morning, guided by her words, Lama Jaboedma entered the Goenkhang and indeed found the pair of yak horns. Inspired, he carved a yak head, affixed the horns to it, and composed what is now known as the Yak Cham dance.

 

Monday, August 16, 2021

༆ །ཤིང་མཁར་བདེ་ཆེན་ཆོས་གླིང་དགའ་ལ་སྐྱིད།།

 

༆ །ཤིང་མཁར་བདེ་ཆེན་ཆོས་གླིང་དགའ་ལ་སྐྱིད།། སྐྱིད་ལ་སྤྲོ་བའི་གླུ་དབྱངས་མཆོད་པ་ཕུལ།།

མཆོད་པ་ཀུན་མཁྱེན་ཡབ་སྲས་མདུན་དུ་ཕུལ།། གནས་མཆོག་ཆོས་ལ་བཀོད་པའི་དངོས་གྲུབ་ཡོད།།

ཤིང་མཁར་བདེ་ཆེན་ཆོས་གླིང་དགའ་ལ་སྐྱིད།། སྐྱིད་ལ་སྤྲོ་བའི་ཞབས་བྲོ་མདུན་དུ་ཁྲབ།།

མདུན་དུ་མཆོད་པ་སྣ་ཚོགས་སྤུངས་སེ་སྤུངས།། ལོངས་སྤྱོད་ཟད་པ་མེད་དངོས་གྲུབ་ཡོད།།

ཤིང་མཁར་བདེ་ཆེན་ཆོས་གླིང་དགའ་ལ་སྐྱིད།། སྐྱིད་ལ་སྤྲོ་བའི་ཞབས་བྲོ་གཡས་སུ་ཁྲབ།།

གཡས་སུ་དཔའ་བོའི་འགྲོ་བརྡུང་ཁྲབ་སེ་ཁྲབ།། གཡས་ཀྱི་གྲིབ་པ་དག་པའི་དངོས་གྲུབ་ཡོད།།

ཤིང་མཁར་བདེ་ཆེན་ཆོས་གླིང་དགའ་ལ་སྐྱིད།། སྐྱིད་ལ་སྤྲོ་བའི་ཞབས་བྲོ་གཡོན་དུ་ཁྲབ།།

གཡོན་དུ་དཔའ་མོའི་མགར་འཆམ་འཆམ་སེ་འཆམ།། གཡོན་གྱི་གྲིབ་པ་དག་པའི་དངོས་གྲུབ་ཡོད།།

ཤིང་མཁར་བདེ་ཆེན་ཆོས་གླིང་དགའ་ལ་སྐྱིད།། སྐྱིད་ལ་སྤྲོ་བའི་ཞབས་བྲོ་དབུས་སུ་ཁྲབ།།

དབུས་ན་ནོར་བུའི་བང་མཛོད་འཁྱི་ལི་ལི།། བུ་ནོར་དར་ཞིང་རྒྱས་པའི་དངོས་གྲུབ་ཡོད།།

ཤིང་མཁར་བདེ་ཆེན་ཆོས་གླིང་དགའ་ལ་སྐྱིད།། སྐྱིད་ལ་སྤྲོ་བའི་ཞབས་བྲོ་རྒྱབ་ཏུ་ཁྲབ།།

རྒྱབ་བསྟན་ལྷ་དང་སྲུང་མའི་གདོང་གྲོགས་མཛད།། སྐུ་མཆོག་གྱུར་བ་མེད་པའི་དངོས་གྲུབ་ཡོད།།

 

ཤིང་བླ་ཀུན་བཟང་དབང་ཕྱུགས་པས་སོ།། བདེ་ལེགས་སུ་གྱུར་ཅིག །

༆ །བསླུ་མེན་སྐྱབས་མཆོག་བླ་མ།།

 

༆ །བསླུ་མེན་སྐྱབས་མཆོག་བླ་མ།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་ཀློང་ཆེན་རབས་འབྱམས།། ད་ལྟ་མཇལ་ན་དགའ་སོང་།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རྒྱལ་བའི་དབང་པོ།། གསོལ་བ་འདེབས་པའི་བུ་ལ།། ཕ་ཡིས་བྱིན་གྱིས་རློབ་མཛོད།། སྨན་ལྗོངས་སྦས་པའི་གནས་སུ།། གདན་ས་གླིང་བརྒྱད་ཆགས་ནས།། འབྲུག་ཡུལ་བདེ་སྐྱིད་ཤར་ཡོད།། གནས་ས་ཤིང་མཁར་བདེ་གླིང་།། རྒྱལ་བ་བཞུགས་ས་ཡིན་པས།། ད་ལྟ་བཞུགས་ན་དགའ་སོང་།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རྒྱལ་བའི་དབང་པོ།། སྟོད་ན་རིབོ་ཟུར་ཆེན།། བདེ་བ་ཅན་དང་འདྲ་སོང་།། ཞིང་ཁམས་ཡིན་ན་དགའ་སོང་།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རྒྱལ་བའི་དབང་པོ།། བར་ན་རིན་ཆེན་བྱུང་གནས།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་བཀའ་ཆོས་བརྩམས་ས།། ད་ལྟ་བརྩམས་ན་དགའ་སོང་།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རྒྱལ་བའི་དབང་པོ།། གཡས་ན་ལྷ་ཆེན་ནོར་ལྷ།། ཡུལ་འཁོར་སྲུང་བའི་ཕོ་ལྷ།། དངོས་སུ་མཇལ་ན་དགའ་སོང་།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རྒྱལ་བའི་དབང་པོ།། གཡས་ན་ཤར་ཟུར་བྲག་ཆེན།། ཨྱོན་གུ་རུའི་གྲུབ་ཕུག། ད་ལྟ་བཞུགས་ན་དགའ་སོང་།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རྒྱལ་བའི་དབང་པོ།། བྲག་གི་ཕང་པའི་སྟེང་ན།། ཨྱོན་གུ་རུའི་བཞུགས་ཁྲི།། ད་ལྟ་བཞུགས་ན་དགའ་སོང་།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རྒྱལ་བའི་དབང་པོ།། དམན་ན་སྤུར་རྒྱལ་རི་བོ།། མཎྜལ་ཚོམ་བུ་བཀོད་པ།། དངོས་སུ་ཕུལ་ན་དགའ་སོང་།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རྒྱལ་བའི་དབང་པོ།། དབུས་ན་ཆོས་འཁོར་སྐོར་ས།། བདེ་གླིང་བཞུགས་ཁྲི་སྟེང་དུ།། ད་ལྟ་བཞུགས་ན་དགའ་སོང་།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རྒྱལ་བའི་དབང་པོ།། གྲོང་ཁྱེར་འདི་ནང་འཛོམས་པ།། དཔའ་བོ་དཔའ་མོའི་རང་བཞིན།། གཏན་དུ་འཛོམས་ན་དགའ་སོང་།།་ ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རྒྱལ་བའི་དབང་པོ།། རྟག་བརྟན་མེད་པའི་གྲོང་ཁྱེར།། དགའ་རུང་སྙིང་པོ་མིན་འདུག། སྙིང་པོའི་བླ་མ་མཁྱེན་ནོ།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རྒྱལ་བའི་དབང་པོ།། འཕོ་འགྱུར་མེན་པའི་གསོལ་བ།། ཀུན་མཁྱེན་བླ་མར་འདེབས་ཏེ།། དཔལ་རི་ཞིང་དུ་བསྐྱེད་ཆོག།      

ཅེས་པའང་ཀུན་མཁྱེན་རིན་པོ་ཆེ་བཞུགས་པའི་གནས་བྱིན་ཅན་རིན་ཆེན་འབྱུང་གནས་ནས་ཞིང་ཕེབས་ཤིང་མཁར་བླ་མ་དྲགོས་ཀུན་བཟང་དབང་ཕྱུགས་མཆོག་ཐུགས་སྙིང་ནས་སྐྱོ་ཞིང་ཀུན་མཁྱེན་བླ་མར་གསོལ་བ་ཕུར་གཙུགས་ནས་མཎྜལ་འདེབས་པའོ།།

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Just my Thoughts

Finally, after more than a decade, Project DANTAK cryingly completed the construction of much hyped Chukha-Damche bypass road. Like many other Bhutanese commuters, I am excited too about shortened distance and prospect of cost saving on ever expensive fuel.  In an opening ceremony, our Prime Minister said, the road would remain as a symbol of Indo-Bhutan friendship. But I have other feelings. That patch of road would remain as a symbol of Project DANTAK’s unceasing love for constructing (so called the best) roads for us. They have been building roads for us far too long and I think it’s about time they allow us to do it for ourselves. We thank them for all their love and support and they should now rest. Today we have our own national builders who are technically more equipped. We have work force who possess skills and experience in building our own roads and bridges, if not hydro powers. But it’s the irony of the century that we still depend so much on some of the substandard foreign builders. Long time ago, I once met an official from DANTAK. I asked him whether the bypass would actually see the lights of completion days. I made a reference to India-China competition and told him that elsewhere in China, they are building 78 km of roads per night. But here you are taking ages to build just 29 KM road. Unable to tolerate my mild criticism, the official got mad and left the place.

Yesterday evening, I was watching some news on CNN and NDTV channels. Most of the contents are as disappointing as it can get. Americans are scratching their heads while their President continue to wreak havoc in political spectrum. Historically, it’s astonishing to see American President honeymooning with Russian President in a closed door room and later admitting that he fumbled with a simple word ‘Would’.  

In India, mob lynching and raping it seems have become the order of the day. On the other hand, BJP is obsessively fearful about the dynastic Congress and Muslim vote bank. But let’s be honest, what is not so dynastic in Indian Politics? Besides Gandhis, Look at the Lalus and Sinhas of Bihar, the Yadavs  and Yogis of UP, The Abdullahs and Muktis of J&K, Solankis and Patels of Gujarat,  Jogis and Shuklas of Chhattisgarh. The list will go on. Now with Modi in the center, there is an emergence of strong man politics and the world is Namo there. In brief, there is nothing great to learn from oldest and biggest democracies of the world at the moment.

There is this jolly guy called Richard Quest who says, the racial harmony is a cord yet to be struck in America. And in the similar line, I thought religious harmony in a secular India is another cord yet to be struck.

In my office, world cup fever is yet to subside. Some won and many lost their bets.  In between, wave of momo party and pizza party are happening haphazardly from the winners. For the last two days, I was busy moving between the groups, eating momo, drinking tea and munching slices of pizza. The slim advantage of being a senior in the office is that you get multiple invitation and in the end you risk getting stomach disorder.

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Times do not change


Often we think 'times's changed'
And often we say, it really did. 
But it's not.
We have four seasons.
There is sun and there is moon.
There is rain and there is shine,
There are rainbows,
There are clouds,
It's summer when its summer,
Like a running stream,
Rest of the seasons follows!
Hence:
Time's not changed!
It is rather us who have evolved over much. 
We have become pernicious,
We have become venomous, 
In thought and in action. 
We say something,
And mean something else. 
We think we are never wrong,
We think we are too saint to be critiqued. 
Self gain and self glories are 
But mantras we chant.
They are the in fact the only mantra we know.
We are emotional integligence deficit,
We are Irrational, insecure beings,
We preach,
We assume,
We expect,
And we demand. 
We are the Rebels!
Risen at the expense of others.
We have no guilt for the sins. 
We are vengeful bosses,
We took the rightful seats of others. 
We are indifferent to others hard work. 
We are warring leaders,
We survive on our evil motives.

Thursday, February 4, 2016

From Gelephu


1st February 2016. New RRCO complex for Gelephu region was inaugurated by His Excellency Lyonpo Namgay Dorji, Minister of Finance. Officials from the Ministry of Finance and the members of parliament representing from the region were present with him. Present at the inauguration ceremony were the retired civil servants and the officials from the Sarpang Dzongkhag. Headed by Dasho Thrompon, Officials from the Gelephu Municipal Corporation were also present along with the officials from RBA and RBP. 

I am not so sure about the figure, but I roughly heard that an amount to the tune of Nu. 176 million was spent on the entire project. The structure looks unique and I should say (as spoken by other speakers) that it’s a first of a kind to have ever been built in Bhutan. Looking at the giant pillars at the entrance, I am sure the strongest of the tremor would do little or no damage to the building. Another most visible feature of the building is the lavish use of glass on the outside walls. It looks fashionable, but nevertheless here is one thing that is bothering my imagination. All the glass sheets are stuck to the metal frame by simple adhesive glue. Some say it will act like a cushion in case of tremor. But I am doubtful. 

The massive project was incepted in 2012. In a period spanning over three years, lot has been said about the project. By then the regional office has seen three different Regional Directors come and go. I have particularly heard about the irresponsibleness of the contractor which made our Secretary, Director and Regional Directors go frantic. There were times when he disappeared without a trace, halting the progress of the project altogether. The massive pillars and the amount of space gone useless at the lobby has often been the subject of ridicule and discussion among the officials. 

But on the 1st February, 2016, on an astrologically chosen day to mark the completion cum inauguration of the complex, it was all a different talk. Finally all the people had so many good things to say. Some were comparing the structure to a Dzong. While others were praising the contractor for his hard work and dedication, I think it’s the combined effort of many concern people who brought this success story. 

To me, project like this shows the vision our leaders. It shows the farsightedness of the officials who are administering the Ministry of Finance. Being able to prepare for the unforeseen future events with certain degree of accuracy, I believe is the key ingredient of a leader. With an inauguration of a building that can house offices for over 200-300 officials, responsible officials, i think both past and present have done a justified forecasting, because in due course of time, Gelephu, with all the open plain is surely going to become a real commercial hub of Bhutan. Only thing is that the situation in the Indian state of Assam should improve. 

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Tribute to our Beloved Drukgyel Zhipa


Sometime in 2011, our popular blogger, Mr. Passu, in his blog "remembering-young-jigme-at-17." asked us these questions: 
At 17, what were you doing? At 17 what are our kids doing now? Remember at 17, His majesty ensured happiness for all of us till the end of time. The best way to celebrate the life of the Great IV is to leave behind our excuses and start giving our best!
And here is what I wrote:
At 17, I was in 8th grade. I was running away from my school for no apparent reason. Other times, I was also busy fishing around chamkhar chhu in Bumthang. At 17 I was a hungry boy. and I busy stealing food form school kitchen. At 17 was, I was busy in the night, moving from one apple garden to another. At 17, I was more worried about the assignment of the girl that I liked than my own. I was rather happy seeing her even if she said I was ugly. At 17, I didn't even know I was 17!!!!!!  At 17, I had my friends reprimanded by their parents for befriending me. At 17, I was simply too wild. But I am all the more happy and grateful that we had a king who led us to the path of happiness at 17. Thank you our beloved King. I am blessed to be your Subject.
Today as we celebrate his 60th birth anniversary, I look back at his greatness. -I look back at the unconditional love and affection he showered upon us. -I look back at the hardships and sacrifices he made for our progress. -I look back at the choices he made for ensuring better and brighter tomorrows for all of us. -I look back at the happiness gift, he gifted to us. I realize that his greatness can never be be put in words. 

The first time I saw His Majesty in person was in 1990s. I was a little boy then, probably 11. I still remember how we got ourselves prepared for his visit. All the elderly people from our locality gathered bamboo, so that a shade can be made for the gathering. Small gate was erected from the locally available green grass to hold a welcome banner. We were told to put on our best dress and I still remember a pair of black gumboot my father bought for me. Our seniors in the school practiced welcome dance from dawn to dusk. Quite a few of them even over ate pepper in their attempt to enhance their voice. I vividly remember how our school captain memorized his welcome speech, only to be awed by His Majesty's presence and stood frozen in the front. His Majesty told us to work hard and be a responsible citizens. But honestly, rather than his Majesty's speech, I was fully engrossed with the four queens; distributing us the sweets. After a grand lunch, His Majesty left our school. Elderly ladies from our village wept like a child to see him and entourage go.

And the second time I saw His majesty in person was in 1997. I was in 9th standard then. His Majesty and the entourage was in Bumthang to preside over the 7th Plan review meeting. By then I was a grown up man. Many boys of my age were chosen to serve the public that day. But something went amiss in the morning and we were nearly late for the occasion. Dasho Pema Dorji, erstwhile Bumthang Dzongdag nearly ate some of us alive. He chased us like a wild dog and we all ran like a frightened deer. We reached the Wangdicholing meeting ground. There, another Dasho ran terror. Dasho Zimpon, Dorji Gyelthen taught us the art of mixing whisky and water. He used 99% water and just 1% whiskey! Later I realized that he had his own wisdom and reason in doing so.

And the last time I saw His Majesty in person was in 2005. It was in Lungtenphu, Thimphu. I was 25 and I was undergoing my Post Graduation Course in RIM. People from Thimphu Dzonkhag along with the students from all over Thimphu gathered to hear His Majesty talk on the draft constitution of Bhutan. I believe some 7000 people attended the meeting. I tried my best to get a seat somewhere in the front row and happily managed one. As the meeting progressed, there were signs of young guys getting bored. The frequency of people getting up for loo was increasingly becoming a nuisance for the security guards at the back. I had my bladder full too, but I tried to hold it back. 

In the middle of the meeting, an elderly man rose to the occasion and said that our constitution should also have a clause that would restrict future Kings from marrying more than one Queen. The man was obviously reading and it took him a while to complete. By the time he was done, there was deafening silence all around. I was nervous and for once I even forgot about my full bladder. It prevailed until His Majesty himself spoke. His Majesty smiled and said, "we are discussing Environment and he wants to discuss wives". Like wise, His Majesty responded to many such queries from the public. Meeting ended on a very happy note and I went home feeling ever nostalgic.

With this, I would like to join the Nation in celebrating our beloved King's birthday. May the longevity Buddha bless him with Long, healthy and happy Life. Thank you. Your Majesty for leading us to happiness. 

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Nine Years In Paro Airport

I have completed my nine years in airport and soon I will be leaving for another place. After nine long years of attachment I feel like I am leaving my home. I met my wife in Paro, married her here and even raised my kids here. So Paro will always hold a special place in my heart. 

One year ago, I wanted to move out. That time it was purely in the interest of my career advancement. It was also in the interest of other friends who wanted to come here for the same. Somehow it never came through. This year I am really moving out and I am feeling lot more nostalgic. I am going to take loads of memories along. 

To begin with, I never thought I would someday work for Customs department. Had it not been for my wife, (who was then undergoing her teacher training in Paro College of Education) I would have landed elsewhere. So thanks to my wife, I chose to work in Paro and was able to officially join RRCO, Paro in January 2006. It was a humble beginning then. We rented an apartment below Rimpong Dzong. The apartment had a large living room, 2 bed room, 1 kitchen, 1 store and worst of all 1 toilet. With few personal effects, virtually the whole apartment was empty. But we had to accept it. My wife had lot to complain when I got home late because there were either many strangers peeping through our partially curtained windows. The most scarring part is that our apartment echoed like an empty cave. So we had a small altar set up on a table we picked from a construction site. That was basically to seek religious solace and apparently to draw off those peeping ghosts.

Now in nine years, things have changed. People say I have progressed a lot. I say yes, provided if the progress was to be measured in terms of having kids! In nine years, to the envy of some infertile people, I have become father of three beautiful daughters and a handsome son! That’s a biological progress! Some say so and I accept it with much joy. 

In nine years, I had the opportunity of working with many superiors and colleagues. Through each individual, I was able to draw special lessons. Working with late Regional Director, Dasho Zamtsho Tshering was scary but nevertheless been that much enriching. Director Choizang had his charisma as a boss. I thought he never liked me but in the end it was proven wrong. During my last personal audience with him, I have come to know about the sense of brotherhood he had towards me and in fact to all the staffs of DRC. I owe them million thanks. Dasho Yonten Namgyel is another guru whom I have a greatest regard. And I have my special regards and thanks go to my current boss, Mr. Bimal Kumar Pradhan. Working with him has been anything but like a running water. 

In nine years time, Paro airport has become lot busier. From a mere four flights a day; it has now increased to thirteen flights a day on an average. We have witnessed the entry of Bhutan airlines that nearly sent the veteran Drukair into an operational limbo. It’s all competition between the two airlines now. Whether air travel has become cheaper or not is another question. But as a Customs official, working in airport has become that much taxing. 

In nine years, many of the facilities in airport have undergone facelift. Airport has a longer runway, bigger hanger, better safety equipments and more qualified people working. In days to come, Paro airport will even have a separate terminal building for the arrival section with duty free shops that would issue electronic receipts! But here is one thing that has bothered my imagination for a good number of years. I am told that huge chunk of budget was allocated to Paro airport in preparation for the 16th SAARC summit, Centenary celebrations and the Royal Wedding. But inside terminal building there are little or no traces of that big money.


In nine years Customs office has managed to procure one x-ray machine. Four years into operation, it broke down completely despite intensive care and maintenance. Elsewhere, machines procured by BAFRA has also succumbed to the similar fate. I was mad with the kind of indifference shown by the supplier. Government doesn’t have a budget and they are reluctant to repair the machines. Distressing part of the affair is to see our performance get compromised on daily basis.


In nine years, I had good number of arguments with importers. The cause is very simple. I enforced laws for the safety of the nation and people simply found it too intrusive. I wanted to collect tax for a greater cause and they simply wanted to avoid or evade either through influence or manipulation. Today I stand amazed that there is a lesson to be learned even from those arguments. Paying is always painful irrespective of who you are. 

In nine years, I became over all in-charge of Customs for the record three times. I don’t know whether it was merited by my ability or by a vacuum created by someone’s departure. But in all the tenures, I think I gave my best. I am happy to be associated with all the shortcomings. But at the same time I am also proud to have led a team that was responsible for the seizure of gold, silver and currency worth millions of Nu. We were told about the rich reward recommended from the throne. We couldn’t be more proud than this. The royal appreciation was a reward rich enough for me and my team. With regard to the gold seizure, I never thought it would be that difficult for the court to convict a smuggler. While we remained silence, many people wanted the credit. Perhaps I could write pages after the high court passes the final judgment. 

In nine years, I had the opportunity of traveling to various countries. I met different people. I feel blessed to have met them all. Although many officials have the tendency of travelling only when the DSA accorded is more, I took the opportunity as and when given. Coming February I am again nominated to travel to New Delhi as a team leader. I am happy to know about the DSA of INR 850 per day. So far I have travelled to Japan, Korea, Malaysia and to India. Each travel has been an exciting and elevating. In near future I wish to travel once to China to see the Great Wall of China.

In nine years, I sat for few interviews. In one of the interview, I felt disheartened to know about the thing of preselected candidates. In another interview I did not even make through the first round. The last was when I attended for a GoI scholarship interview. I came out with flying colors! I topped the interview! I went to India and did Masters in Economics. I scored more than 82%. I came back to airport and forgot everything. Along with it I lost my 6 months seniority. However, I had equally memorable days. I was given a stipend of INR 7000 a month. With this I lived like a king in Gujarat. 

In nine years, I have become a blogger. Some people mistook me for an ardent social activist. I blogged about the controversial tobacco law and I got reprimanded. I came to realize that blogging can be an expensive passion to be pursued when it gets at political sentiments. 

In nine years, I have realized that working for Customs is being like a master tactician. Even if you are not you are forced to become one. In airport every day is a new day and new days brought in newer challenges. Newer challenges called for newer tactics. Despite having given the best in me I always felt that I was falling short somewhere. In discharge of my duty as Customs official; it was often my common senses that made the difference. Laws, rules and manuals I felt were there as a general framework. 

In nine years, I learnt that without so called “PR” (Personal Relation) you cannot get anything done. This is something unbecoming of Bhutan in the 21st century. Especially for a Customs official like me, maintaining “PR” meant attracting so many watchful eyes. I get the feeling that somehow people’s efficiency at this age is gauged through the “PR” yardstick. And in a place like airport “PR” is something you require in abundance. Otherwise you risk becoming low performer. 

In nine years, I was able to own one alto car. Believe it or not, as per ACC’s declarable asset definition that is the only qualified asset at my disposal. Our Government chose to name “bolero” as the “utility car” but to me and my family, our alto is our utility car. In nine years I could finally own an iphone. I still owe half the money though. 

I can go on and on. But to be brief, past nine years has been anything but a blessing.



Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Chath Dorji of Shingkhar

If not thousand, I am certainly several hundred years old. I have lived all my life here in Shingkhar which is some 4000 meters above the sea level. To be more precise I live in an idyllic sanctuary of bliss. People also call it Dechenling. Bhutan has eight such sanctuaries. They were all named by the visiting Tibetan saint Longchenpa in 13th century. 
Apa Chath Dorji of Shingkhar
I am Chath Dorji of Shingkhar. I am the master clown of the village. I am not sure where I descended from, but to my convenience, I consider myself nothing less than a heavenly being from Tenchok lhayuel. My role in my native place is a seasonal one. I have a major role to play in the tenth month in Bhutanese calendar when the drum of five day Shingkhar Rabney starts beating. That time I come with a group of other clowns. People think they are my friends, but they are my sons. We join locals every year. Together we all make offerings to our local deities.

When I reach Shingkhar with my boys, there is a tradition of Lama asking us to describe our journey. This is nothing new. They ask us every year. As a matter of fact, we have been telling them the same thing over and over for centuries. Here is how it goes:

Yesterday night we all slept on the tip of mount phallus,

Only to be woken up in a vaginal cave this morning.

We have come here with all the blessings of canny phallus,

So that each one of us multiply,

Live long, healthy and prosperous

This wouldn’t quench the thirst of humor hungry folks. So we would continue with all sorts of paradoxical idioms. I tell people that the Colorful hair on my head symbolizes my multi talents. Folks, especially the infertile ones, believe in my blessings. Sometime when my blessings are able to impregnate a sterile woman, I boost myself of being the brother of Lama Drukpa Kinley. As such, ladies of Shingkhar naturally like me but I tell people about my other abilities. Like wooing girls! Some ladies would melt hearing my following words:

Look at my creamy aged face.

It’s full of wrinkles.

Look at my phallus,

It’s full of wrinkles too

But Do I Still not look active, fertile and vibrant?


Apa Chath Dorji and Sons arriving for Rabney

In order to bring more laughter, we would often go beyond describing our journey. We let even our body talk! My boys play pranks and would swing their phallus; I mean the wooden phallus right below the nose of our blushing lama. By then folks would have laughed their stomach out. While others would have shed tears of mirth, some even would have peed in their panties! In course of five days, we would have conversed with our locals on every subject between the earth and the sky. I tell those naughty sons and daughters of the locality about the importance of keeping one’s parents happy. Parents are precious. Once lost can never be found. To my words, some emotional parents would sob. To restore our happy hour, I would resume my talk. To bring back their smiles, I like talking about how dark faced Ashangla is encroaching to steal a night with my wife. I am not a master comedian but I am in my own simple way, the unifying force in my village. I am neither witty nor an intelligent man, but I am sometimes an agent of change in my locality. This has been my role over many generations.

Apa Chath Dorji and Ashangla

Besides, our pranks and jokes, people have their own way of engaging in funfairs. Besides traditional mask dances and the dances of our deities, there are distinctive funfairs which are exclusive to Shingkhar community. They are Changkor, bum fight and pop corn fight.

Let me begin with Changkor. Rough translation of Changkor in English would mean "drink session". Such practices are common in many parts of Bhutan. But what is interesting about Changkor in Shingkhar is that people form group and move from one house to another drinking local brew and singing traditional songs. Mostly in the night! A round starts from one household, usually from a Naktsang and end at a house next to Naktsang. Mid way, some would fall flat, drunk and out. Some would still drag on, singing Phala Dro Dro, meaning ‘lets move on’. By the time people are done with the first round, the dawn would break. It was then, some decades before, when village had few households. Things have changed slightly now. Shingkhar have more than thirty households. Population has doubled. Therefore, completing a round in single night is now out of question. So people divide the household in such a way that none is left unvisited in five day Rabney. Today even the young ones, as young as ten form their own group and go singing and dancing. But they do not drink, they ask for the money!


Of the bum fight, folks, both young and old, male and female indulge themselves in a funfair which looks barbaric and total rustic. It is a fanciful discovery made by the people of Shingkhar. In that game, it’s usually males versus females. Except for the biological differences, no one knows why it has to be that way. They hit each with their buttocks without mercy! And throw their opponent flying into the air to the dusty ground. Each time the opponent is toppled, a roar of laughter would arise. As a sign of their surrender, some would choose to sit on the ground. But that is not a done deal. Opponents come and drag them to rise, butting would continue until the rival is completely exhausted and in some cases, half undressed! Some, they choose to climb on the tree tops to avoid the attack. The argument on the fight would ensue even after the Rabney is long over, each party accusing the other of not knowing the ethics of the game in somewhat angry but nevertheless in laughing mood.


Like bum fight, popcorn rubbing is Shingkhar’s own creation. In this game people rub each other’s forehead with popcorn. Although little is known about the correlation between the two; ‘bountiful year’ and ‘rubbing forehead’, people still scream ‘lo lek par sho’ meaning ‘may we have a bountiful year’ after each successful forehead rub. Some tough people often use coarse popcorns and try to leave a scratch mark all over forehead and face of their opponent. Although little painful, they seem to enjoy their own discovered game.

Seeing age old traditions such as these largely intact, Shingkhar displays its connection with its proud past. Despite harsh geographical conditions, Shingkhar has largely remained blessed and blissful. Back in 2013, in an attempt to reinvigorate the preservation of our rich heritage, dedicated sons and daughters of Shingkhar has even built an expensive Thongdrol of our spiritual lord Longchenpa. Today Shingkhar village has lights from hydro power. It is connected globally through telecommunication services. We have better roads, cleaner water, more sophisticated machines and more literate people. We have better cloths to wear and healthier foods to eat. These are blessings of modernization. But if not balanced carefully, these blessings could potentially engulf all our rich culture and heritage. I am fearful. But then modernization per se is not a threat. It largely depends on how we take it. Therefore, it is only through modesty and unity we can fight these ills. 

Of late, the unprecedented proliferation in the political activities has threatened the communal solidarity of Shingkhar. The politics of horse, crane and peach-bloom did no substantial good to the community but have largely created an acrimonious atmosphere of distrust and hatred among the closely knit cousins of Shingkhar. At the moment, this seems to be the biggest battle at hand. Should we lose this battle then our win elsewhere would be an irrelevant one. Rearing hairy yaks and wooly sheep are thing of past in Shingkhar. Climate change or modernization, we don’t know which one to blame yet. 

Lama Nidup Dorji of Shingkhar
But, all is not doomed here. Times are changing and so are things. If changing time has gloomier side, then here is the glee of that same changing time. Thanks to our lama, another monument has been created. Construction of a marvelous lhakhang on the Dori Rinchen hill has been completed. Today the architectural beauty of the lhakhang has awed many people. If lama can do so much, why do we then require all those professional engineers? Some people question? Lhakhang was one used by Longchenpa as a place to meditate, write and relax. Some people believe that certain portions of Longchen Zoed-den were written here. 

 Dori Rinchen Goenpa of Shingkhar

Now with changing time, I am afraid that some people might find my phallic talks lot vulgar and meaningless. I remain fully aware about my pranks becoming obsolete and not so entertaining, but it is my sincere prayer that I find newer jokes and sillier pranks every year and bring lot more laughter to the folks of Shingkhar. I tell my folks that minor differences should not rattle the virtue and the harmony of locality. I hope they take my words. It’s my sincere wish that Rabney and Shingkhar flourish till eternity. Let time change anything but not the happiness and the innocence of humor loving Shingkhar.

Shingkhar Dechenling

I write on these topics

105th National Day (2) 2012 (2) 2013 (1) 2014 (1) Academic (5) ACC (1) Accident (3) ADB (1) Ahmedabad Experience (15) Alto (1) American President (1) Animal Well-being (2) Animals (4) Anonymous (1) Archery (1) Architecture (2) Arrogant (1) Art (5) Asset (1) audicity of opinion (1) Autowalla (2) awards (1) baby sitting (1) BAFRA (1) Ban (1) Bank of Bhutan (2) Belief (1) Bhutan (61) Bhutan Airlines (2) Bhutanomics (1) Biggest Democracy (1) Birthday (7) Birthday Wishes for my King (4) Birthday. (1) Blessed rainy day (1) Blog (2) Blog Award (1) Blog Award. Bhutan (1) Bloggers (3) Bolg Award (1) Bonzai (1) Book (11) Boudha temple (1) Buddhism (19) Buffalo (1) Car (2) Changkor (1) Chetan Bhagat (1) Chief Election Commissioner of Bhutan (1) Child development (1) China (6) Choku (2) Chukha-Damche Bypass (1) CITES (2) Civil Servants (2) CNN (1) cold (2) College (1) Comment (1) common sense (1) Community (1) Conservation (1) Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan (2) contemplation (1) Cordycepts (2) corporal Punishment (1) Court case (8) cricket (1) Cricket World cup (1) crime (3) Culture (14) culture properties. (3) Customs (10) DANTAK (1) Dasho Kunzang Wangdi (1) Dasho Shingkhar Lam (1) Dawa Gyeltshen (1) DCT (1) DDC (1) Dechen Wangmo (1) Democracy (4) Department of Revenue and Customs (6) Depression (1) Development (2) Dictator (1) Diplomatic Relationship (1) Disaster (1) Diwali (4) DNT (1) Doctors (1) dog (1) Doomsday 2012 (1) DPT (1) Dr. Karma Phuntsho (1) Dr. Richard Teo (1) DRC (4) Dream (2) Drugs (1) Dungsey Rimpoche (1) Dylan Thomas (1) Dzongkha Song (5) Earth hour (1) East (1) Ecology (1) Economics (14) Economist (1) Economy (1) Education (10) Election (5) Election 2013 (3) Election Commission of Bhutan (1) End of the world (1) Enforcement (3) Eric Weiner (1) Essay Games and Sports (1) Exams (9) Eyelid Twitching (1) Eyes (1) Facebook (3) Family (6) Farewell (1) FIFA (1) Fire disaster (2) Flowers (5) Flu (1) Folk tale (1) Food (2) Football (3) Foreign Policy (1) Fourth King (4) Freedom (3) Freedom at midnight (1) friend (1) Friendship (2) Fun (1) fundamental right (1) Games (2) Gandinagar (1) Gangnam Style (1) global warming (1) GNH (6) Golf Course in Shingkhar (4) Government (2) Great Britain (1) Guest Post (1) Guest Post. Extra Marital Affairs. (1) Gujarat (32) Gujarat University (9) Guns in Bhutan (1) Guru Rimpoche (1) H. L. V. Derozio's (1) H.H Dalai Lama (1) Happiness (13) Happy new year (5) High land (1) His Majesty (4) History (4) Hobby (1) Hollywood (1) Home (6) Humbleness (1) humility (1) Humming bird (1) humor (2) I am Malala (1) I too had a love story (1) Iceland (1) Icon Shoe (1) IELTS (1) India (29) Indian Politics (1) Indo-Bhutan Friendship (1) Infatuation (1) Information (1) Inspiration (2) International Happiness day (1) International Health Regulation (1) International Poetry day (1) International water day (1) International Women's day (1) interview (2) Jangsa Animal Saving Trust (2) Japan (5) Jaswant Singh (1) JDWNR Hospital (8) job (1) John Keats (1) jokes (2) Joseon Dynasty (1) Justice (1) Kankaria lake (1) Katmandu (2) Kings of Bhutan (2) Kongfu Panda (2) Kuensel (3) Lal Darwaza (1) laughter (2) Law (4) Lemjakha (2) lessons (1) letter to MP (2) Letter. (1) Life (4) Loan (1) Local Healers (3) Lomba (1) Longchen Rabjam (9) Losar (2) love (6) Lunar Eclipse (2) Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering (1) Malaysia (5) Married to Bhutan (1) Mathematics (1) merry X-mas. (2) MH370 (1) middle class people (1) middle class people. My life (1) Ministry of Finance. Paro Airport (1) Minzuk Lhamo (2) Misfortune (2) MoE (1) MoF (1) Moldova (1) Money Plant (1) Monk hood (1) Monks (1) morales (2) Mother's Day (2) Movie (5) MPs (1) Music (3) my ATM card. (1) my blog (2) My Boss (4) my camera (1) my country (1) My daughters (14) My family (7) My father (9) My Friend (2) My job (5) My King (2) My King and Queen (4) My Life (76) My mother (4) My passport (1) My Phone (1) My Promises (1) My sister (3) My Son (1) my sun glass (1) My Teachers (2) My Wife (4) Narendra Modi (2) NASA (1) National anthem (1) National Assembly (1) National Day (1) NDTV (1) Nelson mandela (1) Nepal (4) Nissam Ezekil (1) Nomads (1) Norbu the Cat (1) Oldest Democracy (1) Our Queen (1) Palace (1) Parliament (1) Paro (3) Paro Airport (7) Passu (2) Pay Revision (4) PDP (1) Pedestrian day (1) People (3) Photography (34) Poetry (12) Police (2) Politics (6) Pollution (1) Prado (1) Prediction (1) Primary round (1) Prime Minister of Bhutan (2) Prime Minister of India (1) Private Sector (1) Prostitution (1) psychology (2) Punakha (2) Punishment (1) Qatar (1) Queen of Bhutan (1) Quota (1) RAA (1) Rabindranath Tagore (1) Rabney (2) Rajnikant (1) Random Thoughts (30) RCSC (2) reflection (1) Refugee Problem (1) Religion (4) Republic day of India (1) Research (2) Result (5) Retention wall (1) RILO AP (2) Road (1) Road Development (1) Road safety (1) Robert Frost (1) ROCB (1) Royal Wedding (4) RRCO. Paro (2) Rule of Law (1) Rumors (1) Rupee Crunch (2) scholarships (3) School (1) Security (2) Seminar (3) Seoul (3) shapes (2) Sherubtse (3) Shingkhar (34) Sikkim (1) SIM card (1) Singapore (1) Smile (1) Snowfall (1) social forestry day (1) Social Media (3) social problems (1) South Korea (8) Sperm Donation (1) Stipend (1) story (2) Study (2) Suhas Gopinath (1) Superstition (1) Switzerland (1) Talent (2) Tashi Group of Companies (1) Teachers (5) Teachers's Day (1) Team work (1) Thai Customs (3) Thailand (2) Thank you (2) Thank you note (1) The Nederlands (1) Thimphu (2) Thuksey Rimpoche (1) Tibet (3) tobacco (1) Tobacco Control Act (3) TOEFL (1) Trade (1) Traditions (4) Training (11) Travel (15) Tsechu (1) Tulip (1) Ugyen Pandy (2) Uniform (1) Ura (2) USA (1) vacation (1) Walk (1) Wangdi Dzong (2) WCO (4) Wedding (1) Welfare Contribution (1) WHO (1) wild life (1) wildlife (3) William Wordsworth (1) Wisdom (2) Women (2) Woochu (1) World CUP (1) Writer (1) Writing (1) Yak (11) Yeshhey (1) Youths (3) Zhabdrung (1) Zoo (1)