Khamsum Yully Namgyal Choeten- Wesak Day: 21 May 2016

The first time I heard of Wesak Day was then in Malaysia in 2014. I have witnessed the Wesak celebration parade in Klunag, Johor State last year. It was something respectable and enlightening to have witnessed in the Islamic dominant state. Something fresh and indomitable.The carnival brings all Buddhist association together annually showcasing various Lord Buddha related form to the crowd gathering with other feast.

Wesak Day is one of the most important festivals in Buddhist Calendar as it commemorates three significant events in Gautama Buddha’s life- Birth anniversary, enlightenment and his passing away.

Equally Bhutanese observes Lord Buddha’s Parinirvana (Duechen Nga Dzom) day to this day. It was on this day that Buddha was conceived, Born, Subdued evil, achieved Parinirvana or complete Nirvana and got enlightened upon the death of his physical form. It is considered the most auspicious day to all the Buddhist in the universe.

 

What Buddhist mass does in this day? First thing that rings through peoples’ awareness is to run vegetarian for a day. Visiting temples, lighting butter lamps, sponsoring meals to those monasteries that perform special prayers and rituals, and hoisting prayer flags are common but considered unusually holly in this day.

Of the lane to sanctify inner and physical worldliness I have become vegetarian for a day and visited Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten at Punkaha, Lit butter lamp, offered prayers and framed ourselves to the serene sight.

At Yambesa village seven Kilometers north to Punakha, Khamsum Yulley Namgayl Choeten stands majestically on the hill top, other side of the river bank along Gasa road. It is also known as Nyzergang Lhakhang. The 30 Meters tall Choeten was consecrated in 1999 and dedicated to His Majesty the fifth King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk.

Within the Choeten the first story has Phurbha Latshog (Kilaya Mandala) followed by Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Latshog. Gongdue takes third floor, and the Buddha statue stands atop at level four overlooking Kabesa Village.

The 45 minutes uphill hike from the suspension bridge to the Choeten would take one through lusty green chili (Capsicum) and beans plantation field. One could see few Chilies crop up against the law of Gravity which has questioned me seriously and would appreciate anyone clearing my doubt. Countable thingye (wild Pepper) trees along the foot path were not ripened enough for the harvest but the aroma baked in my nostril that day.

 

The bridge is spot where one could see river rafting and kayaking gears ready for an adventure along the Mochu. Ironically, I have seen many idle rafting team (Young men) laid their heavy butts to the black topped road stretching their head to every car stopped by, possibly for potential clients. Why not those team cater to the Bhutanese clients with subsidized/at marginally low cost. I am going to try for myself once very soon.

The Choeten has really fine maintained footpath within the premises. The rock slabs arranged pleasantly and steps height set pleasingly for all devotees, young and old. However not sure, the reason they do not have paved foot path from the starting point (Suspension Bridge until the Choeten's entry gate).

Wesak Day/Duechen Nga Dzom marked, Our prayers and Tshog offered, butter lamp lighted, calories ignited and pictures shot. The weekends outline were perfected with merits gained and shared. 

River Rafting Boat

Suspension Bridge: Starting of the Hike  

Chili against the Law of Gravity 

Cascading River : Mochu 

The Majestic Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Choeten 

Equinox Boy- My Birthday

Yesterday 20^th March international Happiness day and today 21^st March marks another year, year that would change my status another year. Twenty fifteen and my twenty eight was fairly well balanced. A good family moments were there, friends were cheering, money was kind enough to run through a year, commendable shopping, discernible donation, creditable contribution, read & scribbled, slept less & exercises mounted, noticeable merriment, gulped liquor and many more.

Hmmmm, I just realized truncated travel moments I had than the previous year.  I am not so religious nor follow atheist suit but no kidding I ran a kindness store for a year. That was one hell of merry making and connection was awesome. Anyway 28 was kind on me and hopeful 29 will be even better.

Friends, good friends, families and others I made a year along are already pouring in their good wishes, messages, calls, Facebook messages, and picture messages. Thank you everyone, though we were on same ship ferrying to build our own empire, the cruise was definitely smooth, cheering and laudable. Hopeful this year I could get to board on different ship get along with different people, different society, and different different and different.          

I am carrying the same intuition of the birthday celebrations well suiting the teenagers and kids, though the celebration level would surely change in caliber with time. I am not hypocrite and not even trying to be one, seriously I was not well connected with birthday’s celebration of mine, maybe because I wasn’t well acquainted to the traditions in my early years or I love not to treat my friends at different level on birthdays. Haha, this line is framed.

 I never treated friends or families on my birthdays thus far and thinking to keep the trend. This looks odd, I got picked and sneaked myself out on others birthdays’ celebration.

Oh I want to try one different naughty on my birthday. I have a one sweet girlfriend and I am sure she would not hate me for this, I am going for a date with a girl whose birthday falls today, 21^st March. 

I am March equinox boy, my mom and dad might have sweat for 12 hours night and enjoyed 12 hours bright sun light to have me as their son. 

   

Good day everyone and happy birthday to all others celebrating birthdays today. Thank you for reading.

   

Solar Eclipse-09/03/2016

Lungten Tenzin uttered “it’s a solar eclipse today and doing anything good will double the merits”. Going through six year’s post of mine, Tshering Chophel was hinting if we could do it again. We did that all over again after five years, threesome, more profound except for Lungten Tenxin had to bunk office and next day issued office order to make their presence all time during office hours for all office mates.

A solar eclipse is an Eclipse that occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon fully or partially blocks Sun.

It was bright sunny day yesterday. True or otherwise we made it, a day’s merit gained.

We were informed by Park care taker of the plans of removing all the prayer flags (Lungta) at Kuenslephodrang sooner for better reasons. He is transferring those flags which can stand still for some time to better clean sites, far away from the nearby park. He is encouraging everyone coming there to hoist Lungta, to hike little further uphill or walk to the right of Buddha statue , make it clean.