"Tendrel- 2016, The Year of Three Auspicious Events in the History of Bhutan"

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Tendrel
I have described the meaning and significance of the tendrel for the better understanding of the three important events happened in the history of Bhutan in 2016.  According to the Nalanda Translation Committee, tendrel (skt. Pratitya-Damutpada) is the abbreviated form of Tibetan word, "ten-chig drelwar jungwa (rten cing 'brel bar 'byung ba), which has been variously translated as " dependent arising, dependent co-origination, interdependent, relativity, and auspicious coincidence".  Therefore, tendrel is often used in connotation to signify auspiciousness and good fortune which happens as the result of all the situations arising together through the coming of various factors. So ten means 'to depend', and drel means 'connection or relationship.'( https://www.nalandatranslation.org/choosing-the-right-word/dependent-arising-tendrel/)
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On 6th March 2016 under the Tendrel Initiative, the whole nation observed the day to mark the three auspicious events:

1. The birth of Prince ( Gyalsey)

2. 400 years of Zhabdrungs arrival to Bhutan (1616 AD), the spiritual rural and unifier of Bhutan

3. Guru Rinpoche's ( Skt. Padmasambhava) birth year, who propagated the Buddha dharma, popularly known as the Vajrayana Buddhism in Bhutan.

Plantation at the base of Buddha Dordenma

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I was one amongst the thousands who participated in this one time opportunity to mark the three best rare auspicious events at the base of Buddha Dordenma (168ft), one of the largest Buddha statues in the world by planting 108000 saplings. The schools, offices, and business remained closed for the day! The day was an opportunity for every citizen to pay tribute for the happening of three auspicious occasions as mentioned above. As the blessings marked the day like never before, people of Bhutan once again rejoice the timely birth of Gyalsey, the Crown Prince. Bhutan, though being a small and landlocked country, surrounded by Himalayan mountains, and also by two large nations have always maintained its sovereignty and a reputation of a good friend with other nations. This has been possible because of our farsighted leaders who sacrificed for his countrymen. The timely arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and Guru Rinpoche, the precious teacher was yet blessing for the tiny nation like ours. Today we stand as proud as before!

Their Significance to Our Nation

1.  2016- The Gyalsey (Prince)  was born.

Gyalsey with King and Queen

Since the announcement of the marriage by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk to Her Majesty Gyaltsuen Jetsuen Pema, the people of Bhutan waited with much anticipation for the coming of new Prince, the future King of Bhutan. With the blessings of guardian deities of Bhutan and the protector of dharma and the prayers of Bhutanese people, on February 5th, the 27th day of  Fire Male Monkey Year  2016 at Lingkana Palace, Thimphu the Prince was born. Also, it was on the same day the second Buddha, Guru Rinpoche was born which makes the day more auspicious. He blessed the entire land of Bhutan three times of his visit and named as Baeyul, the Sacred Hidden Land. It was in this same land, in the 17th century  Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel unified Bhutan. The significance of naming of Gyalsey also encompasses names of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Desi Jigme Namgyel, His Majesty and all the Kings. The birth was also marked by miracles and auspicious signs.

2.  2016: 400 Years of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel's arrival to Bhutan (1616-2016).

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel
Source: zhungdratsang.org

Coinciding with the birth of Prince, the year also marked the 400 years of Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyel's arrival to Bhutan in 1616. His arrival brought significant changes in the country as One Nation who is known as the founding father of Bhutan. He established the dual system of government, spiritual and secular, and the Drukpa Kargyud sect of Buddhism as the state religion since then.
He is credited for the unification and consolidation of the fragmented regions from the internal and external feuds and who ultimately brought the nation under his rule and established many dzongs and monsateries signifying his victrious over the enemies.
One of the significant contributions of Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyel to Bhutan's political history is 'Kathrim', a formal code of laws which contains the specific reference to the ten pious acts, Lhachoe Gyewa Chu and the sixteen virtuous acts of social piety, referred to as Michoe Tsangma Chudrug. 
It was on the day of Zhabdrung Kuchoe (death anniversary of Zhabdrung, 10th day of the 3rd Bhutanese month), His Royal Highness The Gyalsey received his name from the most sacred Machhen Lhakhang at Punakha dzong. It is on the basis of this Code, the National Assembly of Bhutan enacted the first comprehensive codified laws, Thrimzhung Chhenmo in 1959. Also today, under the leadership of our King, the laws have been adopted as the Constitution of  Bhutan.

3. 2016- The birth year of Guru Rinpoche

Guru Rinpoche, the Precious Teacher

The third 'tendrel' was that on this day, on Water Monkey year Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha known by the Nyingma followers was born, which made the birth of Gyalsey a very auspicious and holy one. Also, the historical connection of the birth of our Monarchs and Guru Rinpoche was prophesied as recorded in Kathang Duepa, a brief biography of Guru Rinpoche which states, " From the direction of Bumthang, the limits to the throne will be overcome/There will appear my emanation, who will reign in accordance with the dharma." The first hereditary Monarch reigned from Bumthang. The name is also associated with Guru Rinpoche, know as Ugyen Guru.
It was after the arrival of Guru the advent of Buddhism first started in Bhutan in the 8th century. He is the epitome of Bhutanese religious ideal and can rightly be considered as the spiritual father or patron saint of Bhutan.

Moment with Senior Citizens

Begana Gonpa, Thimphu

Begana Gonpa is one of the monasteries in Bhutan that caters to the old age senior citizens who live praying and meditating daily. Many people and the philanthropist visit them to help them in cleaning and washing their hermitage and clothes. Meals are also served by volunteers, and contributions are made in cash and kind. Basic health check-ups are done by the Royal Society for Senior Citizens in collaboration with the health workers and trainees of the Ministry of Health. 

Some are new, while others have spent almost 10-15 years praying and meditating. Even to see laymen at the later age, especially in the Buddhist world, inspires us to see them preparing for the final phase of their life. Yet, some are inspired by their own motivational devotions, while rest are forced to do so. It is so unfortunate for some parents when the time for care is needed, the own caregivers have neglected. This seems to be the most disheartening to see the reality of life faced by them. The Begana Gonpa (monastery) headed by Acho Lama, popularly known by the public is taking care of them. We as a part of the humanitarian act sometimes gather with them to offer a meal, distribute clothes etc., Feels great to be with them spending a memorable time.   

One grandpa in mid-60s sang zhung-dra during gathering on 11th November 2014 to mark the 60th Birth Anniversary of our beloved 4th Druk Gyalpo (King of Dragon). Meeting of something that has never been prepared is always granted as the virtue of good karmic connection. Love them all for a very good reason and may they live long and be happy always. 

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1. Zhung-dra: a classical song, sung in meditative style without musical accompaniment. It literally means the music of the center (zhung is center and dra means music) and is associated with the folk music of the dzongs (fortress) during the time of the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1651)

1000 Butter Lamp Offering to Commemorate the 60th Birth Anniversary of the 4th Druk Gyalpo

The Royal Society for Senior Citizens in collaboration with Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, and volunteers offered thousand butter lamps for His Majesty's long life, peace and prosperity. We also made small stupa (tsa-tsa) and served meals to elder senior citizens of Begana Gonpa. It was a day of togetherness  and merry making with our grandparents who have been staying there for more than eleven years. I felt fortunate to have dedicated productive time on the day.
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Ten Benefits of Offering Butter Lamps according to Buddha:
1. One receives great enjoyment of wealth.
2. One becomes like the light of the world.
3. One achieves clairvoyance of the pure eye as a human.
4. One is reborn as a deva or as a human.
5. One achieves the devas' eye.
6. One achieves the wisdom to discriminate virtue from non-virtue.
7. One is able to eliminate the concept of inherent existence.
8. One receives the illumination of wisdom.
9. One quickly becomes liberated.
10. One quickly attains enlightenment                                (Source: khandro.net)
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Be Satisfied with What you Have!

Bank of  river Krishna, Vijayawada, Andra Pradesh

This was during concurrent field visit to Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh in 2013 during post graduate studies in Social Work (MSW). Krishna river is a source of livelihood to many slum dwellers and homeless. A woman seen with me is one such struggling for survival.  She uses open air oven to cook her meals every day.  She was friendly and seems happy even in a state of destitute. Felt so sorry.

Sometimes, to change ourselves, we need to look at others and understand how life goes...

So disheartening to see our people suffering beyond tolerance, yet we fail to respond to their needs. Even if a beggar is seen begging before us, we pretentiously go unnoticed most of the time. Many of our kinds are seen scavenging for survival.

My leisure

Medium-Oil Paint

Art is the manifestation of our beautiful mind. Artists have created valueless impression since the time known. Supposedly, a piece of touch on the white canvas my worth million had that been the renaissance artist like Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Pablo Picasso, Vincent Ven Gogh etc. Whenever I see the masterpieces of these artists keeps me breathless. What made Mona Lisa, probably the world's most famous painting that was painted sometimes between 1503-1506. Lots of emotions are vested in most of the paintings.

This art is commissioned by me in 2008 when I was at Wambur Pry. School.  After school I devote my time on painting, and of course "Words of My Perfect Teacher"  by HH Patruel Rinpoche gave me a good company when I was away from my family and kids. Arts and Religion keeps me away from being idle man.