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The birth of samudaya

9 November 2009

The bestowment of legal status to the Hindu Dharma Samudaya of Bhutan (HDSB) by the government has brought a lot of hope to the Hindus in Bhutan.
One of the reasons why people born to Hindu parents convert to other religions is due to a shortage of Hindu priests, and expensive religious rituals during, birth, marriage and death.
Hindu people say the samudaya (choetshog) should immediately take stock of the almost extinct religious institutions like Sanskrit patshalas, temples, train and appoint local priests, coordinate and conduct prayers, meditation and yoga classes, as well as perform religious discourses for the well-being of the King, country and people. Besides, the Hidu community wants the samudaya to promote research and literary works, and organise annual Durga Puja.
The chairperson of the choetshog, Dasho Meg Raj Gurung, said the vision of the HDSB is to promote peaceful co-existence, compassion and reverence for all sentient beings in all segments of the Bhutanese society. As a corollary, the HDSB will promote spiritual practices and traditions of Sanatan Dharma (the Eternal Religion) in harmony with national ethos to foster and strengthen human values.
The government, through the Chhoedey Lhentshog, bestowed the legal status to the samudaya in accordance with the Religious Organizations Act of Bhutan 2007.
HDSB’s representative to the Chhoedey Lhentshog, Pundit Dr Pushpalal Nirola, said different Hindu religious groups applied for registration but one had been registered as all these groups were basically different sects of the Sanatan Dharma prevalent in Bhutan.
He said Hinduism and Buddhism, because of their affinity, must work in unity to bring peace, harmony and unity in the country. He also said there was a need to take stock of all spiritual and religious monuments by visiting all the gewogs in the country.
A guidebook containing the cardinal principles of Hindu religious practices will be prepared and distributed to all the relevant stakeholders as soon as it is ready.
Inspired and guided by the time-tested philosophy of Santana Dharma, the HDSB, according to its article of association, will devote itself to enhancing spiritual fulfilment and happiness among the Bhutanese people. HDSB functions as a non-profit, non-political and non-governmental foundation in the country.
HDSB aims to assist in preservation, renovation, rehabilitation and construction of mandirs and other institutions of religious and cultural significance, and extend assistance to disadvantaged groups where needed and justified.
Hindu people in the capital said there was a need to have a proper place of worship. As the Hindu population increases in the capital, the HDSB should initiate to establish a mandir in the capital.
A board member of HDSB said, at the moment, the choetshog is mobilising financial resources through membership fees, voluntary contributions, donations, and grants. It was learned that HDSB will sustain on donations, grants, subsidies, financial assistance and bequests from the government.

The birth of a choetshog carries numerous promises to the nation. Rabi C Dahal reports.

Pandit Dr. NirolaThe bestowment of legal status to the Hindu Dharma Samudaya of Bhutan (HDSB) by the government has brought a lot of hope to the Hindus in Bhutan.

One of the reasons why people born to Hindu parents convert to other religions is due to a shortage of Hindu priests, and expensive religious rituals during, birth, marriage and death.

Hindu people say the samudaya (choetshog) should immediately take stock of the almost extinct religious institutions like Sanskrit patshalas, temples, train and appoint local priests, coordinate and conduct prayers, meditation and yoga classes, as well as perform religious discourses for the well-being of the King, country and people. Besides, the Hidu community wants the samudaya to promote research and literary works, and organise annual Durga Puja.

The chairperson of the choetshog, Dasho Meg Raj Gurung, said the vision of the HDSB is to promote peaceful co-existence, compassion and reverence for all sentient beings in all segments of the Bhutanese society. As a corollary, the HDSB will promote spiritual practices and traditions of Sanatan Dharma (the Eternal Religion) in harmony with national ethos to foster and strengthen human values.

The government, through the Chhoedey Lhentshog, bestowed the legal status to the samudaya in accordance with the Religious Organizations Act of Bhutan 2007.

HDSB’s representative to the Chhoedey Lhentshog, Pundit Dr Pushpalal Nirola, said different Hindu religious groups applied for registration but one had been registered as all these groups were basically different sects of the Sanatan Dharma prevalent in Bhutan.

He said Hinduism and Buddhism, because of their affinity, must work in unity to bring peace, harmony and unity in the country. He also said there was a need to take stock of all spiritual and religious monuments by visiting all the gewogs in the country.

A guidebook containing the cardinal principles of Hindu religious practices will be prepared and distributed to all the relevant stakeholders as soon as it is ready.

Inspired and guided by the time-tested philosophy of Santana Dharma, the HDSB, according to its article of association, will devote itself to enhancing spiritual fulfilment and happiness among the Bhutanese people. HDSB functions as a non-profit, non-political and non-governmental foundation in the country.

HDSB aims to assist in preservation, renovation, rehabilitation and construction of mandirs and other institutions of religious and cultural significance, and extend assistance to disadvantaged groups where needed and justified.

Hindu people in the capital said there was a need to have a proper place of worship. As the Hindu population increases in the capital, the HDSB should initiate to establish a mandir in the capital.

A board member of HDSB said, at the moment, the choetshog is mobilising financial resources through membership fees, voluntary contributions, donations, and grants. It was learned that HDSB will sustain on donations, grants, subsidies, financial assistance and bequests from the government.

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Comments

2 Responses to “The birth of samudaya”

  1. SK Sharma on November 13th, 2009 10:48 pm

    Let us hope the Hindu community does not get into power struggle of who will be the next president of the organization etc. Dhina Jana Seva (Service to Poor) at least once a week should be under taken and proof that the organization is really proud to be in Bhutan. Let us pray for its success.

  2. tashi wangchuk on November 14th, 2009 5:17 pm

    It’s a breakthrough for the religious community in Bhutan when there was somewhat disrespect among different Buddhist sects in the past.In fact I was very much impressed by the wise and liberated vision of our His Majesty which provides all followers the opportunity to pursue their spiritual needs according to their choices. However,there had been some misunderstanding among people and noticed some caused obstacles for other sects to flourish in the kingdom such as Nyingmapa and even other sects of Kgyudpa.I as a layman can’t see the truth where was the lope whole which leads to such discrimination. It would have been wonderful if all the different sects exist in unity to spread the teaching of Buddha Dharma accordingly. I heard about the rejected proposal of establishing an institute by the different sects which I felt sad.It would have benifited all of us spiritually, educationally,and even economically if the establishment of institution is being allowed to the authentic. After all it’s same Buddhism.Anyway it’s now changing,we are going through big changes but have to be wise about it.

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