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The calm before the Karma

8 December 2008

Our grandparents and great-grandparents must have done a lot of good in the past, because Bhutan today is reaping the karma. We enjoy the goodwill of many countries who continue to support us. India has so many of its own poor and starving people to look after, as well as the Tibetans that pour through their borders, and yet they manage to help us. Countries like the Netherlands, Denmark and Austria, offer aid and expertise. The Japanese sent us garbage trucks. Australia sent fire fighters. What did we do to deserve such kindness from so many peoples? We are right on India’s doorstep, but what about countries in Scandinavia?

We share mountains and a love of the outdoors, but why does that inspire them to open their hearts and wallets to our needs?

Since the first King came to rule, we have been fortunate and enjoyed peace and prosperity. Each of the Kings has made progressive changes for the better, nurturing our indigenous culture and way of life against outside influences.

Their motivation was always the good of the people and King Jigme Khesar has obviously inherited those genes. Not for us a royal family constantly dripping in scandals and tripping around the world.

I am grateful that our collective karma has brought us our wise and loving Kings. I am grateful that our country enjoys so much goodwill from other countries. Tourists come with mist in their eyes, wanting to share some of our Shangri-la, visit this land of Happiness, where they think time stopped and people live idyllic lives of harmony and simplicity. They trek our mountains, breathing in the fresh air and marvelling at our natural beauty. How lucky you are, they tell us.

And it’s true. Our environment is pristine (well outside Thimphu it is). But when I see the RENEW advertisements against domestic violence I wonder how much harmony there is behind closed doors. And the Millennium Development Goals are only good if you are not in that bottom percentage.

Life without a roof over your head or enough food to feed your children is not simplicity. It’s heartache and a grinding struggle.

What I wonder now as I walk up the Norzin Lam, is what is the collective karma we are creating for Bhutan? We all contribute to that. I see huge black cars drive by with passengers full of their own puffed-up importance. Did all the money spent on their education, often sponsored by foreign countries, amount to that – an expensive car to make them feel important when others go starving?

I read about people indignant that the Anti Corruption Commission had ousted them for their greed. The Fourth King is a very wise man. Every time I read of such squawking I thank him for setting up the Anti Corruption Commission. And I silently applaud the people who work there.

They must have good hearts and thick skins. I see them as the moral custodians of our country, the ones the fourth King put in charge of ensuring our collective karma stays good.

Kunsang Dorji
Motithang

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Posted by Bhutan Observer · Filed Under Voices 

Comments

One Response to “The calm before the Karma”

  1. Nalenjan on December 8th, 2008 6:50 pm

    Tibetans have once said, ‘Jami marey, fama ray’. India will never be to Bhutan like China to Tibet but do not write such cheap articles which just makes the mutually beneficial relations seem fishy.

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