A brief account of Tsakaling Lineage: A pull-out from Drukgi Nyorab by Zhingsheg Aku Lama

In hope to benefit kins in understanding their blood and bone…

Pic Curtsy: Acho Dasho Sherab Gyeltshen's Facebook

Tsakaling Chojee, a religious nobility was established by Lama Tenzin, a spiritual figure of the Yonphu Chojee started by Lama Jampel Norbu.  While Lama Jampel was said to have practiced Peling tradition, it was not clear of his family lineage according to Dasho Lama Sangnga. However, he also states that going by what is stated on a hand written catalog belonging to  Kurtoed Lugchu Chojee, Lama Jamphel was a descendent of of Pema Lingpa, while Chabje Dudjom Jigdrel Yeshey Dorji has said that Younphula Choejee belong to the lineage of Terton Ratna Lingpa. Lam Sangnga also mentions that there are others who attribute Yonphu Chojee to the Lineage of Dorji Lingpa, while we do not know Yonphu's own historical narrative on this matter. 

After Lama Jamphel Norbu, the next Yonphula Chojey was Choewang Lhendup, followed by his son Yeshey Gyalpo who had two sons, Gawa and Tenzin. Younger Tenzin a highly realized spiritual figure of the time established the Taskaling as requested by two local rulers then. As Lama Tenzin was looking for a place to establish his monastic seat, his hat stuck on a thorn of a plant in an area, which he took as an indication and made a decision to establish his seat in the same area. The place gradually came to be known as Tsakaling, meaning the hat and the Taskaling Chojee emerged from this establishment in a form of hereditary incumbency of the decedents of Lama Tenzin.

Democracy and the leaders, what can go wrong when power is vested blindly...

The already bad english with many messes in few lines can tell
how much the writer was mentally disturbed at that moment.

How much do we count on democracy? As much as we may expect, I fear so much of abuses. Do we make an effort to elect a leader and end up being targeted? Or do we make so much of effort in the name of tsawa-sum by voting a government to hand over the power without leadership?

People may wonder why this is held without posting until now and why only today? Well obviously I was worried at the beginning and now I realize the political trick that has made me worry, and so I worry no more. 

Besides, I take the chance to post this story also having gained confidence from honorable PM’s facebook (31/01/2017) post that called to expose any corrupt practices. I would also like to remind the readers that this story does not at all imply the current government, which I am always proud of although it is a story of an action of a member of the government in his own personal capacity.

This is my testimonial experience of the democracy in power, a strong case that put me in a dilemma whether to respect democracy or avoid. This is a small story how there is so many in the democracy we think is the best solution. Politics I never thought would go this far to use the deceptive word such as "Gongma,"  meaning superior, to frighten and suppress individuals on behalf of their voters in believe of divisive politics as their way to orange scarf (Minister's scarf).

From Sumthrang to Bemji (Bonbi), Trakhar & Ugyenchoeling, a Genealogical Journey

  Sumthrang Choje a family of religious nobility, where my this life is born to have known to me as an acclaimed source of many families in Bhutan. I never use to talk nor do I try to tell people we are relatives because it is always uncomfortable as it sounded trying to find a way to relate for some benefit.  I knew this fact since my childhood because of conversations with my father. Almost every family somehow has some blood relation to sumtrhang and ends up being one or the another our ‘Ngew’ or the relative.

Of many families that have a kinship relation to Sumtrhang, Bemji and Ugyenchoeling are among those families and Trakhar often came up in relation to the family line of Terton Pama Lingpa. I heard of the relation we share several years ago but I never understood how?  I did not know much of Bemji Chojey but I knew this much that it may have its own history of origin different from Sumthrang. Ugyen Choling we know is the decedents of Terton Dorji Lingpa. The question was then, how did these families inter-relate?

Here comes the Sun

Nyilo the Solstices: Some parts of Bhutan will celebrate winter solstice (guen nyilo) today, to mark Nyilo, the return of the sun.
Nyilo, according to the Bhutanese lunar calendar based on Buddhist astrology, is the first day of winter and the shortest day, after which the days start getting longer until the summer solstice.
“It’s celebrated as New Year, since this is the day when a new season begins,” lecturer for astrology with the Institute of Language and Culture Studies in Taktse, Trongsa, lopen Samten, said.

Smartphone Buying Guide

From big, chunky cellphones to ultra-chic mini computers that will not only let you make and receive calls but take photos and videos as well, surf the web, play games and music, manage your schedule and emails, and many other functions you may not believe possible - the mobile phone industry has indeed made some great progress throughout the years.

Open Complain

Calling upon media and other authorities for a serious look into this  issue in deep....

Why was this drain, what was the reason?
Did it in any way harm anyone to do this? 

It was a great news and a welcoming one as I read this story ‘Preserving social, spiritual and agricultural landscape,” in a kuensel issue this week. 

But what is a reality in Ura under the very watchful eyes of Thrumsingla park authority is something different.

Is entry to Goenkhag, gender bias?

I was watching the BBS Dzongkha programme known asLegshed-Lamzang where Venerable Khenpo Tandin Sithup was speaking to a folk of youths.

If you have watched and listened to the programme, a big question has been answered where many think a tradition where females are restricted the entry to Goenkhangs- the room reserved as the place for deities is gender bias.

He was speaking about the four immeasurable, 1. The immeasurable love and kindness, 2. Immeasurable compassion, 3.immeasurable joy and 4. immeasurable equanimity, to the young youths.

Women's day: A gender discriminatory effort for gender equality..!

I am not very sure if I should call it a happy ‘Women’s day’ or not. It should be happy women’s day to celebrate as women’s day but to celebrate as a day to promote women’s right I wonder if it is a happy day but I do wish the day a success in its endeavour.
I express my wonder, because talking women’s right itself is gender bias as it already treats women differently to other geners. How can you promote vegetarian when you eat meat yourself and how can it promote gender equalization when itself is gender bias in its nature?  

We know there are some gaps where women's rights are concerned, but what I am saying here is that promoting gender biased activity such as this can not be a solution to women's issues. I think empowering women is better way than having a women's day for that reason. Empower it, but I think we don't need to differentiate. This might one day call for men's day because gender equalization will never achieve with the ideology of differentiation in the approach. 

It would rather be creating more gender tensions. Talking women's right is gender bias in itself, so the alternative I am talking about is promoting gender equality through human's right. Women's right can be even educated best by talking human rights than by talking women's right. 

On this very day of international day for women’s right, I felt what if this day is observed as ‘International day of equal right for all gender’ or some thing sort of,  rather than as a day for women's right, discriminating all other gender.  

I do respect women, men and any other gender that exist on earth. Therefore shouldn’t we commit to up hold human's right to avoid gender discrimination. Should we go on saying and demanding women’s right, and forget if we are discriminating other genders, except women. 

Can we afford discriminating gender in efforts elevate women's right? Only by promoting equal rights for all human can we promote gender equalization and solve the gender issues. But I truly doubt, if promoting rights of one gender against another would be of a sustainable solution to gender discrimination.

 Promoting gender based right, I believe is rather creating issues than being a solution. Putting human right to the core and empower those gender which need special attention, why do we need to put emphasis on differentiation of one gender from another to empower the other. 

A conversation on Women's day:

My friend: Treat your wife with nice meal because it's women's day.

Me: I don't believe in women's right, but human right. No extra treatment to discriminate when it is meant, not to discriminate.

My friend: Just something extra for your wife

Me: My wife enjoys her right as much as I do, so we don't have discrimination at all. Therefore I am not discriminating her even today. There is nothing extra, when it is always equal.

Love your wife, love all women, men and any human even animals. Avoid discrimination.

'Opportunity and Employability' the weight hanging on Dzongkha to rise...?

Even in rural Dzongkha literate areas,
Sign boards are meant for only English literates..!

Dzongkha as a national language of Bhutan has been a topic of discussion concerning its development. But remained suppressed under English and was not able to rise to the level of English.

We saw arguments and discussions from many angles but for me the reason why Dzongkha cannot pick up its use even with a tag of national language is quite curious. No one had convincing argument but this elder man (Memey) from a remote part of Bhutan was a convincing one for me.

A Chinese heater through India to Bhutan? What does it mean?

Why should Bhutan pay for India to import Chinese goods when it is costing so much for Bhutan and its people.

A Chinese product in Bhutan means a

donation to Indian Economy from Bhutan..

This is an electric heater (in the picture) brought from Dolma Enterprise, but one can find such electric heater in allmost all of the shops that sell electric heaters in Thimphu.

As you see, it is a Chinese product but our Bhutanese enterprenuers did not import directly from China. They have bought from Indian dealers and I am sure this would mean Indian rupee out flow.

Talking Women's Right.....!

While I agree there should not be discrimination among the gender and to empower the women at per with men. Sometime the issue is taken too far.

Women's in Bhutan took plying khuru (traditional game played by men in Bhutan), which by tradition is never a women's game. They say it is to bring women at per with men. Does that mean women shall wear gho? Or should all women become men?

 Traditional practices every where are gender discriminatory by nature. In Bhutan women wear Kera (female dress), and men gho(man's dress), while such is same in other countries too. Women in india wear sari, men doti, and if you check big shopping centers, we have men and women corners to choose from.

The empowering women in Bhutan has now become a sort of a campaign to convert women to men. I read women empowerment very differently.

The latest Snow... a hope for its return....!

But lets us also not give ourselves to the business of pollution to let this joy return!

The morning chirping of the birds are missing, instead the cheerful sounds of playing kids early in the morning has replaced in the other wise silent and calm neighborhood.

It was a wonder this early morning that it drove me to peep through the window thinking I may have over slept or miss read my time on the clock.

As I looked through my window from between the slight open of the curtain, the earth around is covered, to the delight of a longing mind for such a joy, it was a merrily moment to see the blanket of thick and white all around.

It was snowing and unusually it has settled so thick after so many years of unsatisfactory snow in Thimphu and around.

Choosing the best is crucial to ensure the best...!

Why Primary round is crucial in the forth coming election for Bhutan?

This is because, it is from where we as citizen chose the best of the five parties to take up the business of national affairs.

If we want a strong opposition and a strong government at the Gyalyong Tshogkhang, I would advise that we be mindful and participate as much as we can in the primary round of election to chose two of the strong parties for the general election.

I think, BBS should reconsider their decision not to give air time to the party candidates, because to make a good decision for the voters to vote at the primary round, knowing the candidates of the parties is crucial.

Journalism: How in Bhutan...?

Giving up the note pad and pen of their interest...

Where does it go from here is what hits the minds of journalists in Bhutan having to survive the life while passion is on writing.

 Only the time they forget this concern, is when they are nipped into busy reporting.

While things are more promising for young graduates joining the management team, it was never the same for young journalists interested in reporting and trying to be a voice for voiceless.

The media houses, housing as many young journalists with very few senior seasoned journalists speaks about the current situation of Journalism in Bhutan.

Take a look back, the Bhutan's first journalist became the media controller by taking up bureaucratic seat as the secretary for the Ministry of Information and communication.

GNH: My perspective.....!

GNH is on the way, although is yet to reach there....

I have just realized that our country is not a GNH (Gross National Happiness) country. But a country aspiring for GNH and that promotes GNH as its vision for the world.

Is Bhutan a GNH country? Are all Bhutanese happy? if these are the questions to qualify a country to be called GNH country, Bhutan can never be a GNH country. Bhutan is know by world as GNH country for adopting Gross National Happiness as its development goal against the idea of GDP. It is an aspiration and work in progress not yet achieved. 

This would rely on individuals living in Bhutan, the individuals leading the country and its management of the developmental progress.

Radical ability of GNH......:)

It was not so easy to be within the intellects and academicians discussing most abstract subject as the Gross National Hapiness.

One may lose the logical sense at times when they discuss and argue on psychological aspect of the GNH.

One may even fail to describe your own state of mind at that moment, if you think how so complex the subject is as they offer you different definition of happiness.

Trying to understand GNH throws one into the mess of complications, taking away your happiness as you try to figure out the aspects of GNH.....lolz 

That natural bliss at my Kinder age I miss....!

The Shrunken ice, vivid change.... 

It was a great county side, a village where I grew up. 

Sumthrang village of Bumthang Ura in Bhutan is located just at the foot of a cliff at its north. 

To walk up to its top, one takes about an hour but it is just over half an hour to walk down from the cliff back to the village.

Huge pile of that cliff adorns the tiny village with its magnificent beauty of flowering bushes around and a gush of flowing stream cutting the cliff in to two halves. 

In-Dependent.......?

Glister of sun rays dwelling on to the fading autumn earth. Peoples are at their usual routine and everything is alright.

Cars running up and down for one or other reasons and every kitchen in the house holds with their gas stoves burning busy, preparing the morning breakfast.

Things are all running normal, but nobody is aware of what is happening? No body was at realization that we are officially an independent country but by status totally dependent.

Ped-day a political hot cake.. It still continues to be..!

At the end, we the public are in the field of political game like a ball, played among the players of politicians..... !

Pedestrians day runs in the minds of many like a hot cake, while many criticized and many supported, there is this divisive opinion.

On Demand: A RESULT of the pedestrian's day

This result of an assessment on the pedestrian's day would be the certificate of Bhutan's Leadership in environmental protection, But if only proven with positive impact of the day beyond just a drop in fuel consumption.

Curtsy: Bhutan News Service

So many Tuesdays passed after the government declared it as the pedestrians day. A decision bold enough and a sign of trying means to commit towards environmental conservation. Good enough.