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The Story of Threngchenma Part 3

As narrated by Khenpo Nima Shar Translated by Rinchen Phuntsho Part III Meanwhile, Phagkaypo and his evil friend Rinchoey, had been very consistent with their plans of taking revenge on the people of Sercha for their disrespect and insult. In vicious anger, they planned to eradicate the whole race of people in Sercha. One day, they led a large army and advanced towards Sercha. The Buddha learnt about it through his clairvoyance and realised how grave a sin they were going to commit. Moreover, the people of Sercha were also robust people and skilled in the art of warfare. Hence, the unprovoked aggression on the people of Sercha by Phagkaypo only meant equal threat to himself and his people. In anyways, many precious lives were at stake and many people were on the threshold of committing heinous sins. Therefore, in order to avert the tragedy, but unknown to Phagkaypo’s force, the Buddha went ahead towards Sercha and choosing an old dried tree, sat beneath it. Though there were many
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The Story of Threngchenma Part 2

As narrated by Khenpo Nima Shar Translated by Rinchen Phuntsho Part II Soon, Threngchenma bore a son from King Sergyal. The son was named Phagkaypo. Phagkaypo had inherited his parents’ good miens, intelligence and skills. Almost around the same time, one of King Sergyal’s ministers also fathered a son amidst some inauspicious omens and signs. Hence, the astrologers and people who deciphered these inauspicious omens began to have premonitions that the minister’s son might prove sinister for the country and its people. However, no one dared to say anything, for he was the son of a minister. The minister’s son was named Rinchoey. Phagkaypo and Rinchoey were born around the same time and grew up together. Soon, a special bond of friendship grew between the two. They became inseparable and always listened to each other. Both grew up into extraordinarily good looking men with unusual skills and talents, which they often flaunted in front of women. One day, the two men decided to r
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The Story of Threngchenma Part 1

As narrated by Khenpo Nima Shar Translated by Rinchen Phuntsho Part I During the time of our Buddha, in a place called Sercha (Sanskrit: Kapilvastu, present day Nepal), there lived a wealthy man by the name Shakya Mingchen who was an uncle of the Buddha himself. Besides immeasurable wealth, he owned numerous slaves, both men and women. Amongst these slaves was a woman who had a daughter of unsurpassed beauty named Threngchenma. Though she was poor, Threngchenma possessed unparalleled beauty and grew up into an intelligent and skilled woman. However, as Threngchenma was the daughter of a poor slave, she eventually found herself employed under Shakya Mingchen as one of his gardeners. While her mother worked in the house of her Lord, Threngchenma worked in his flower garden sincerely mending fences and attending to the flowers. One day, as she was working in the flower garden, Threngchenma saw the Buddha who had come to visit Lord Shakya Mingchen. The mere sight of the Buddha fill
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Thuenpa Puen Zhi: The Four Harmonious Friends

The Four Harmonious Friends, Thuenpa Puen Zhi, is a popular symbol in the Buddhist iconography. One can find paintings of them in the form of murals decorating the walls of temples and monasteries. While some believe that it will bring them peace in the household, others believe that it ensures unity and harmony in the family. It is also a popular subject for thangka paintings. Many are familiar with the story of how the four friends tried to determine who amongst them was the eldest. The story of their respect, cooperation, unity and interdependence is a popular part of the Bhutanese folklore. However, many are not familiar with the subtle significance that the story holds. It is believed that the four friends were Buddha Shakyamuni (Bird), Shariputra or Sheri bu (Rabbit), Maugyalyana or Mon-Gelgi-bu (Monkey) and Kuengao or Ananda (Elephant) in one of their previous lives. Therefore, the enlightenment of Buddha, institution of Buddhism and the turning of the wheel of Dharma in harm
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Letter to Parents

Dear Parents, The half-year academic session of 2019 has been an intensively rigorous year for both the teachers and students. We have taught our children many things that they ought to know for their professional and personal success, but in the process of teaching our children, we have learnt a great deal ourselves. We too have grown professionally. All of us have progressed together through mutual interactions. However, the First Term is coming to an end and we would not have any contact with our children. The school would wear a disconsolate deserted look. We have already begun to miss the faces of our children and our ears have suddenly begun longing to hear the chaotic noises they used to make. We recollect their goggling eyes googling our every move; we remember the inquisitiveness in their eyes, the readiness in their hands and the willingness in their hearts; we reminisce their tender hidden giggles concealed by an aura of innocence. I must admit we have had a great time
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The Weeping World

Alas! At last the world is drunk, fed with toxic ego and lust. Its bluish eyes hath reddened sore like it hath never been before. Its odorous breath stinks of death, for its glorious beauty had shrunk into a crooked vale of crust and dust. The cheerful chirping of the chicks awaits their mother ripped by war. Its thunderous boom scares the dove and erases all tales of joy and love. All its greenness wear a wearied look, leaving its beauties only in books, to see and feel with wistful eyes what wondrous wonder the world hath worn. As a son of global mother, men art father of their actions. He treads on his mother’s chest and lays bare the breast he suckled. In a world we talk much of beauty, the ugliest thing is our action. Weeps the world at such sickened sons. -Rinchey                        
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A Promised Revolution

Education in Bhutan has witnessed a steady growth and amelioration over the years. Time has revolutionized our age-old monastic education into the current modern education. The ramshackle school buildings of the past has been transformed into elegant structures of the present while the slates and chalks we used for writing have become obsolete with the ingress of assorted materials of books, pens and pencils in the writing market. Many have changed, yet many remains to be changed. With the voluntary resignation of Lyonpo Mingbu Drukpa as the Education Minister, a new promising protagonist has emerged on the scene adorned with all his embellished promises and propaganda. The new Education Minister, Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk, has taken a bold leap into the oceanic world of education in Bhutan. He can unquestionably be called the ‘Moses’ of Bhutanese Education System who has pledged to offer us the ‘Promised Land’ and a decent future. The Education Minister, during his visit to Lungtenp
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