Revellers bother monks

Peace in a tranquil place of meditation is ripped asunder by revelling picnickers, monks complain. Rabi C DahaL reports

The area below Tango and Cheri monaster­ies in Thimphu, which has served as a tranquil meditation place for many of Bhutan’s great lamas, has become a popular picnic site for Thimphu city residents.

Monks from the two mon­asteries say that picnickers not only disturb the medi­tating monks, but also des­ecrate the holy place.

A public notification on a large board at Begana Janag Bridge “implores” visitors, especially picnickers, to re­frain from indulging in “any uproarious acts that disrupt the tranquillity of the place”. But no one bothers to read the notification or adhere to it.

Monks say loud music from picnic spots has be­come a nuisance to them. They say that, every week­end, the peace in Dodena and surrounding area is ripped asunder by picnickers revelling in the Bhutanese game of khuru and degor or western music.

Weekends see dozens of vehicles parked on the nar­row road leading to the two monasteries.

Dodena is the place where great Phajo Drukgom Zhig­po and his consort, Khando Sonam Palden, met in the 13th century. Today, it has turned into a busy place for Thimphu couples to meet.

Tenzin, an attendant of the former Je Khenpo His Holiness Tenzin Dendhup, who is in retreat in Dodena, says he has frequently come across couples dating and going physical in cars or un­der trees.

This is the ultimate act of desecration, says Tuelku Ngawang Jigme Namgyel.

Tashi, a monk in Chari Drubdey, said picnickers dis­turbed the area by beating drums, plates, and pots and pans.

Tuelku Ngawang Jigme Namgyel said when monks are sent to request for calm, howling merrymakers say they are granted permission by high-ranking government officials including ministers and secretaries.

According to monks, pic­nickers posed another dan­ger to the monasteries. Tashi said that, after a day of mer­rymaking, picnickers often forget to douse fire. This, he said, exposed the monaster­ies to a fire hazard. “It will be impossible to control a fire outbreak on the steep slope,” he said. “Every relic will be lost.”

Dratshang Lhentshog of­ficials say that the area is too huge to be cordoned off.

The whole area between Tango and Chari is consid­ered to be sanctified by emi­nent rinpoches, panditas, la­mas and truelkus.

Guru Rinpoche is believed to have blessed the place in person and through his man­ifestations.

Later, Phajo Drukgom Zhigpo and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal medi­tated in the area. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel is be­lieved to have written his famous Nga Chu Drugma (A poem celebrating his achieve­ments) in Tango.

Tango was later visited by many other notable Bud­dhist saints including Lama Drukpa Kuenley, his son Lama Ngawang Tenzin, and Mipham Tshewang Tenzin.

Tango and Chari monks say that it is either the public who are ignorant or the gov­ernment that is not serious enough about the problem

6 Responses to “Revellers bother monks”

1. krmgayley says:

   April 27, 2010 at 2:28 am

   i am not surprised many bhutanese are now becoming ugly beasts and party freak. in few years time, these same beasts will take over the horrifying characters of neighbouring brats. for bhutanese like people the very sight of monastary should give enough guilty to party and blast music in that area. i feel very sorry for our practioners. may god intervene.

   Reply
2. tshering says:

   April 28, 2010 at 7:02 pm

   Hi Fren,
   Let us think together and act it as one. Let save that Heaven place…. let all of us think as one and save it before it is too late….

   Reply
3. Kunzang says:

   April 30, 2010 at 11:15 am

   Let’s save and respect the unique Bhutan treasure, lamas, Gomchen and tradition. Bhutan is a wonderful contry because of Dharma. Let’s cherish it from our bottom of our heart.

   Reply
4. Tshering says:

   May 1, 2010 at 1:13 pm

   Is it a reminder of the advent of age of degeneration? It is truly sad that Buddhism is not receiving sufficient attention and care in a Buddhist country. It reminds me of Khamtrul Rinpoche’s “Being born in a Buddhist country does not make you a Buddhist” and seems this is weighing bigger in today’s Bhutan and that the idea and pursuit of Buddhism is confined only to those aged and at the death-bed people. Haha … I find it ridiculous when Buddhism is gaining strong momentum in the developed world where its pursuit is not confined to those aged and sick.

   Of course, it is romance that has been the sole dilutor of the spiritual and religious significance of any Buddhist site or celebration. I think more needs to be done on this front.

   Reply
5. defoz says:

   February 14, 2012 at 6:59 pm

   Just like charity begins at home, so does example. let us ask monks and anims first not to go sexting.. sexting of monks and anims are frequently seen in the capital.

   Reply
6. Dema says:

   February 15, 2012 at 12:03 pm

   I think we must think twice and start acting to stop such nuisance. This trend needs attention both from general people and concerned authority.

   This will harm our good image if not promptly corrected appropriately.

   Reply