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.