A Terchen Pema Lingpa Day

It was somewhere in 2017 when I heard about the turquoise heart presented and talked at the mountain echoes by Mr. Pawo Choning Dorji. Terchen Pema Lingpa was a name I heard long time back in school and everyone knows he was such great treasure discoverer. Mr Pawo wrote to the then Prime Minister of Bhutan requesting for a day in a year to celebrate the great Bhutanese hero. A day dedicate only to Tertoen Pema Lingpa. Finally the cabinet has approved to name a day for this great Bhutanese hero starting next year whereby the third day of the first lunar month will be celebrated as a National Pema Lingpa Day in Bhutan. Isn’t it a great news for us?

“Pema Lingpa was the first Bhutanese figure and perhaps only the one, who effectively reversed the flow of religious offerings from Bhutan to Tibet” Dr. Karma Phuntsho from ‘The History of Bhutan’

Born in 1450 in Bumthang, this great treasure discoverer went on to have his first treasure extraction in 1476 at the riverine below the cliff of Naringdra on a full moon night. After this incident, the public speculation began whereby Pema Lingpa jumped into a lake with a burning butter lamp and returned back with a Buddha statue and a sealed skull with the butter lamp still burning. And this place, to this day holds as a most scared and a must visit place in Bumthang by the name Mebar Tsho or the Burning Lake.

Pema Lingpa then went on to have several treasure extractions via his divine destination and itinerary set up by the Guru Padmasambhava. He wasn’t a tertoen but a terchen: King of treasure discoverers. And there was only five terchens, destined to extensively reveal treasures of Guru Rinpoche. He is rightly described as the Bhutanese saint and cultural hero and it feels amazing to know that his importance are still felt in various parts of Tibet, Nepal and India (Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Spiti). In Tibet, he had a huge followers, patrons and students. It seems unbelievable when the history has it that at two of his religious sessions in and around Tibet, huge number (as huge as 9000) of people turned up for the Terchen Pema Lingpa’s blessing that he was placed on a throne and raised above the ground whereby the public had to walk under his throne to receive the blessing.

No doubt that Pema Lingpa too had rivals and contenders those days. Lama Namkha Samdrub of Nyemo in Tibet happens to have an interesting encounter with our Pema Lingpa. The former was said to have made malicious gossips about Pema Lingpa in various parts of Tibet. Pema Lingpa had received various baseless challenges from Lam Namkha. On a final face, Pema Lingpa challenged Lam Namkha back for an ordeal by fire, where both of them had to leap into the burning fire and the one who survived was to be the winner. Unable to face such a challenge, Lama Namkha was said to have fled to Tibet the next day.

Neither it is not going to be enough to write nor I be the right person to talk about this great Terchen of Bhutan. This is the few words that are emerging from my heart. To be frank even a day in a year falls short against his great doings in our country. Still I am very much rejoiced of the great news of his day from next year. Another reason I am so glad about a day for our Terchen Pema Lingpa is that, it came after my less than a week ago recent trip to Ganteng Sangna Choeling Monastery in Phobjikha that was built by the grandson of Terchen Pema Lingpa. The history has it that the Terchen visited Phobjikha where he predicted and foretold that his descendants would build a monastery on the hilltop where the Pema Lingpa tradition would thrive into the future. Gyalse Pema Thrinley built the Ganteng Goenpa in 1613 and became the first Gangteng Trulku.  The monastery houses various ancient and age-old nangtens with rich historical background. Being there physically, I couldn’t describe how blessed I was and really proud that Bhutan too had such a religious hero.

It was Pema Lingpa who had the divine dreams of various mask dances from Guru Rinpoche which are mostly performed in various tshechus in Bhutan today.

There is another great reason why we have to celebrate Pema Lingpa day in Bhutan. We all know that our beloved Kings from the Wangchuk Dynasty are the descendants of the great Terchen Pema Lingpa. Our kings belong to the Dungkar Choje, a subsidiary clan of Khouchung Choje founded by Kunga Wangpo, one of the sons of Pema Lingpa.

There are times when we question ourselves on our patriotism and this happens to one such incident. We never realized to celebrate our own home-grown hero. Thank you Mr. Pawo for taking such a huge initiative and opening our eyes.

A simple message out of life

Since the past few days, I have become very active on social media and have even started sharing my pictures where I am often commented as “cute and different”. Well, I can either have a head like a nun or put on the wig and I chose the latter. That’s how I become “cute”.  Actually, there is a whole story behind this new look of mine. I have had several thoughts about sharing this story and I finally decided to share it with some hopes.

This journey had been a really hard one as there had been several episodes of disappointments, hopelessness and darkness but it even came with power, bravery and mind-training. It just made me realize how fragile our lives are and it is so stupid to be clinging onto it when the truth is that we all have an ultimate exit which is absolutely inevitable no matter who you are. An exit which we all are aware of, yet we never think of preparing for it and when the moment arrives, we go into a state of shock, not wanting to accept it. I am not blaming anyone because that’s how it is and I myself have had all this proceedings when that moment came. Here is my story…

So it was in July 2018, that a biopsy report confirmed a devastating diagnosis: Ovarian cancer with Liver metastasis. My primary cancer (ovary) which I already fought some eight years ago made an aggressive return dragging my liver into the battle ground. I was a brave and courageous fighter back then (I was too young to understand what cancer really was those days) and never in my wildest dreams had I seen this coming back this way. Frankly speaking I thought the cancer was evicted from my body forever (now I analyze and come to realize that I thought that way because I didn’t want to accept in any way that I had cancer)

Until that day, 13^th July 2018! At first I couldn’t accept it. I blamed the medical technologies and diagnostic instruments; challenged the medical certificate of the consultants; nullified the enormous researches and overall I found everyone a cheater and liar. Then I was cursing my body for producing cancer cells and questioned why I was given that ovary.

The second thing I did was a crucial step as it hugely determined where I chose to go from there. I accepted the truth (sadly). If there were not much people around me who showed their love and concern, I am sure I would have gone the other way because it’s extremely hard to make the right decision at that point of time. It’s like a huge rolling bolder has hit you hard enough but then you are challenged to get up when you can barely open your eyes also. At such a scenario, you hear people from far shouting and screaming your name asking you to get up and fight back. That happens to be the biggest stimulator for your right consciousness, unifying your shattered hopes towards one aim: FIRE BACK.

When the doctor said, “It’s the last stage and you have no cure”, my face was punched by an invisible force and tears made it way out. Then he continued, “The good news is that your cancer cells are highly chemo-sensitive and so there is high chances of shrinking the cancer and then make it operable”

Then the hope got itself on me and the battle was on as I stepped in with crowning prayers and embraced the extremely thorny cactus called chemotherapy in the desert of cancer. Its worst thorns include the multiple episodes of extreme nausea and vomiting, complete loss of appetite, frequent shortness of breath, severe constipation, tanning of skin, terrible backache and abdominal cramps, weakness and giddiness along with complete hair loss. The chemotherapy weakened me to the point that I had two episodes of syncope during the third cycle.

Never did I know that our bodies were capable of becoming so sick. If given the chance I would have chopped down every hand that produced mirrors. I hated myself that was reflected in any mirror I came across. That look of complete loss and worn off were pricking me sharper day by day.

“You don’t know how strong you can be unless being strong is the only option you have” I would definitely agree with this strong statement and never underestimate anyone who you think will fall off when they are hit hard. Life is all about creating miracles and mind you, so many people come with invisible powers. All they need is the right time and they are on it.

Coming to my story, a huge disappointment struck my courageous fight in the midst of my battle as a CT scan after three cycles of chemo revealed no change in the cancer size. I had no other option than to undergo a highly risky (and definitely life-saving) surgery. In all these happenings, I was losing my hopes but I focused all my attention towards what the doctors said (with firm belief) and the heaven be my witness for how glad I was seeing them trying so much for me and not declaring my  condition as a terminal one. Going to my surgeon, he proceeded with the surgery only because I was young. They wanted to try through the very slim margin of hope they saw but they firstly clarified about all the risks associated. I didn’t hesitate to give my yes to the surgeon as death is anyhow an ultimate destination. But if I at least gave a try, I would be fighting. So I challenged myself with the surgery. When I made up my mind of consenting them for the surgery, I was emotionally ready to embrace what would be on my table if in case the surgery was not a success.  

A miracle happened on the 19^th of November 2018 at the Tata Medical Center in Kolkata as my surgeons were successful with their aim in removing my tumor in a ten-hour long surgery. Well, the first time I gained my consciousness from the anesthesia; it was a complete hell to have the endotracheal tube (ETT) into my throat. I knew why it was placed into my body but I had to let them know that I was conscious and that the tube be removed and so I was trying my best to lift my fingers (which was like no less than fighting through the fast-flowing river current) and I managed to held the endotracheal tube. I knew I wouldn’t be able to remove it and I didn’t even intend to do that way. Whenever I was coming into my consciousness, I either wanted the ETT to be removed or a heavy sedation (Midazolam was all over my mind then).  As my condition improved, the ETT was removed successfully the next day. I was fully conscious towards the evening of 20^th November (the next day). There my head surgeon straight away tagged me as a “FIGHTER” telling me how successful the surgery was.

With my surgery becoming a successful one, I knew I was making my way back and it was the best feeling ever. What I felt in those times were so much precious. I looked at everything with a fresh angle and I found meaning in every little things. Yet my fight wasn’t over as the surgeons advised me to undergo two more cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy as my cancer was a high-grade one.

It’s been more than five months that I completed all my treatments and even joined back work. I had my first review with the surgeon in Kolkata last month. For now, I am declared all fine and fit. It has been an incredible journey of disappointment, frustration, hope, power, love, affection, courage and most importantly letting things go as it is meant to. I don’t want to sound philosophical and give lectures here. What I have realized through all these terrible times were what was already discovered by Buddha some 2500 years ago. It took a lot for me to realize this simple truth.

Honoring the Special Teachers

In our schools, May 2^nd has always been the best day to express our gratitude and respect for our beloved teachers for it was marked as the Teachers’ Day every year. And this year, I have been very very fortunate to have been deployed for the service of our Ex-Indian teachers who was in our country for the celebration of Teachers’ Day to commemorate the golden jubilee celebration of India-Bhutan Friendship. I am so glad to have met so many teachers who had served our country as early as 1962, when Bhutan has just started something called ‘Modern Development’.

Teachers' Day 2018

Meeting and interacting with them, I remembered those times in school with my teachers especially Sir Pradeep, Mam Sreekala, Sir Basanta, Sir JC Kumar and Sir Joby Joseph. They all have left Bhutan now but what they gave us can never be forgotten. The language they speak, though we don’t understand but it sounds very familiar as we heard it so many times.

The Ex Indian teachers who were in the country were all retired ones who came in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s and served our country for around 30 years or more and finally superannuated and went back to their homeland. Having stayed and served in remote places of the country, they know our local dialects and I am amazed as some of them can even recite our Buddhist prayers. They say they heard it recite by their students every day for so many years. They are deeply rooted with our culture and tradition. Some of them served as the warden and matron in the boarding schools and they have stories of how the Bhutanese students were naughty and tough to deal with but now they were all their fond memories in Bhutan.

Mr M.K.G. Kaimal (left) and Mr R Krishna (right)
Both of them came to Bhutan in 1962

The teachers who were the guest of honor were even taken for sight-seeings in Thimphu and Paro. Like Bhutanese they group together to sing our Popular song “Gawala Keybala Dugo”. One special teacher I would mention is Sir M.K.G. Kaimal who is popularly known as Lopen Kaimal in those days. He was the first batch of teachers recruited in 1962 when Bhutan started the first five year plan, where education was the only pioneer for a modern Bhutan as envisioned by the Late third King of Bhutan. Lopon Kaimal who is now 79 years old says it was not easy to come to Bhutan then. There was no motor able road and the education system was an infant. He faced so many difficulties, not only professionally but in his personal life too, as he had to get out of his comfort zone and get into the lives of Bhutanese who were then very different. But his dedication to serve this small Himalayan Kingdom in shaping its future made him learn the local languages, know his students and their parents and most importantly give them education so that our country could have our own standing man power to take Bhutan into the modern development. He recalls our Bhutanese people calling him, “Jaga na tang tang (Black Indian)” but he fired back and told them proudly, “Nga jaga men. Drukpa een (I am not Indian. I am a Bhutanese)”. Perhaps it is not the citizenship on paper that gives a nationality of an individual. It is the dedication and determination to serve and give the best to a country that makes you a citizen of a country. Of course he is originally from India with Indian gene and heritage but what made him Bhutanese was nothing else than giving all of his working years in serving our country and our people. He was mistaken for a Bhutanese by many as he went to school wearing our national dress (gho) and spoke our own language. Now, isn’t this incredible? On the last night dinner, he narrated, “I had to walk twelve days on foot from Indian border to reach my posting of school in Bumthang. Though born in India, we have spent our whole life (33 years) in Bhutan. We have shared our happiness and shed our sorrows with the innocent, kind and generous people of this country. You may ask how come you came here and served this country for so long where there were not even roads; leeches, torrents and animals challenging anywhere you traveled in the country and scarcity of food (shops were very rare). It was not because of the money we were paid or any promises that made us come back after our vacation but purely because we were deeply attracted by the innocence and purity of the heart and pristine beauty of the country. Initially we went back and thought not to return because of the hardships but once we were in India, we got homesick and there was no other way than to come to Bhutan and continue our struggles and we all can see the result now. This nation’s beauty and people’s innocence kept calling us back. After the retirement in 1995, we had wished so many times to come to Bhutan but we couldn’t. We are very glad that the government of Bhutan remembered our contribution and invited us here for the celebration.”

Mr. and Mrs. Simon with Mr. and Mrs. Bhutia
PC: Navaneethan Sir

All the teachers expressed their unlimited joy and contentment. They said they cannot describe how they feel as they saw their students doing so good and extremely well by serving the country in various posts with such dedication and determination. “As a teacher, seeing your student doing so well is the best reward ever”, said Mr. Shashi Kumar, one of the ex-Indian teacher. “After my retirement from Bhutan, I worked in Maldives and Africa as a teacher and I must say that there is no student-teacher relation like the one we find here.”

Our guest of honors at the Kyichu Lhakhang

We have our ministers and Dashos paying respect to the beloved teachers and this just shows how much of contribution they have made for our country. During the week-long stay in Bhutan, their schedules were completely packed as they had to attend all the official programs and on top of that so many of their ex-students were rushing to meet them. They were taken out for lunches and dinners by their students. After the May 2^nd celebration which was covered LIVE by the BBS and social media flooded with the news of the return of their teachers in the country, lot more other students came forward and paid their respects for making the difference with such noble profession in their lives. And that moment of reunion with their students can never be put into words. It was what made most of them profoundly happy and proud.

Their Majesties with the teachers

Not to forget the biggest happening in the midst of all these celebrations, nothing could be compared to the moment when His Majesty and the Gyaltshuen walked into the celebration surprisingly at Changlimithang on May 2^nd. Their Majesties interacted with all the teachers who were the guest of honor that day. They were hugely touched as it was a dream-come-true. One of the teachers said, “I never imagined in my wildest dreams also that I would meet the most humble King of the world. This is truly the land of Gross National Happiness. Under such a king, Bhutan has always seen happiness and will be happy forever.”

The retired teachers served in various parts of the country and shared their wisdom. They challenged everything and made things possible for their students. Being miles and miles away from their own family, they found a new family in the students (who some of them describes as their children). Years after years, Bhutan became their second home and leaving Bhutan seemed really painful. It was already thirty or thirty five years when they realized it was time for them to retire and return. Now back in their homeland, they miss the mountains, their ever-ready-to-learn Bhutanese students and the kind and generous people of Bhutan.

Choosing Happiness

This is my first post for year 2017. I wanted to share about something that had been bothering me since so many months and it still is without any concrete solution.

All I can do is keep understanding the concerned people when they talk about their issues and when this happens, my problem is swept away. May be I am being in haste wanting everything to be right on time as I have planned but then I get a question within myself, “When all my friends are rising forward, why am I kept trodden?” And there is a silent response talking about my own fate and karma. Yeah right!! Every one of us has different karma and we need to go accordingly. Such things happened in the past as well, so I am not much surprised with this one.

I got the answer and I understand everything. People who know me, (especially my friends and relatives) throw their curious questions to me and they hardly understand the answer I bounce back with and this has lead to so many judgmental opinions about me and my career. Perhaps this is because they don’t understand the way they should. And on the other hand they are not in a position (educational level) to understand all these mess I am in so I don’t bore any hard feelings for them as well.

"Everyday is a story of Patience, Perseverance and Faith because it is everyday that we are faced with unknown tomorrow, uncertain fate and unsure future. Let us therefore conquer everyday with optimism grounded on prayer"- Anonymous

Now I am on a positive ground. Perhaps this is the time granted to me so that I do things which interests me and gives me satisfaction. I shall devote my time to the people I cherish in life and enjoy the fumes of happiness. Let me make this one a blessing in disguise. 

Colorful rainbow of my school life

Student life is something which teaches us so much about life and makes us fully prepared to function ourselves as a stable individual in life. Most of us have a lot to share about our school life regarding our friends, teachers, studies or schools which are the life-long memories entrapped within us. I too have lots of such things to share which I have experienced. Teachers are the bridge between us and the education. It’s very important that teachers are present in the class which glues us to the studies. I had a teacher in my high school, Ms Tshering Lhamo. She taught me computer applications for two years (classes IX and X). She is a teacher in the school who had given me so much during my school days beyond the usual school education.  Being a hard working student, it’s very important that our teacher sees our input in order to appreciate and encourage us to go higher in life. Miss Tshering has done this for me though she was not the in charge. I shared a classroom where most of the brilliant students were grouped in together and so it was very important for us to give our best in whatever we do but we get a different pushing force when a teacher supports and motivates us. Miss Tshering didn’t support me only, she was supportive to all the hardworking students in the school and she was loved a lot.

 

Miss Tshering Lhamo

She is an amazing teacher and it is evident from her teaching style only. She would be teaching in loud and audible voice (even if she is sick, her voice will never fail in doing its work to reach every student of the class). She would give us assignments and always make sure that our works are done on time. If a student in the class was lacking behind, she would spare some time on him or her so that the student is learning and making an equal progress with the rest of the students. She is mindful of student’s punctuality and sincerity. She would not mind in scolding students if we did something which is not expected. Whole of the class did the unit test very horrible in class IX which made her furious and she scolded the whole class showing her frustrations and disappointment. She would ensure that we had enough practice done for our practical examination and provide us as much help and guidance as possible from her side.

I was in class X when she selected me and a boy from my class to represent our school for the regional IT quiz competition (six schools participated from Paro and Haa Dzongkhags) to celebrate the World Telecommunication Day on 17^th May 2009 with the theme “Protecting children in Cyberspace”. At first I was bit reluctant as I had not much idea about the theme. All I had in store was the basic contents of computer application I studied in IT subject (as part of the curriculum in the class) and there was not much knowledge in me about the telecommunication and that entire cyberspace thing. I was hesitant to represent my school but what made me feel safe was that the trust she portrayed in me. Her encouragement gave me the hope that I may be able to do it though I was very much unsure myself. When the day finally came, I remember Miss Tshering meeting me before the quiz started and told me, “If they ask you who created Microsoft application, say it’s Bill Gates. And all the best” She then padded on my shoulders. Those days, though I had finished studying Microsoft word and excel, I hardly knew that Bill Gates founded the Microsoft Corporation until Miss Tshering told me that day.

As the quiz competition started, we were introduced to various theme rounds. It wasn’t as I expected because apart from information and communication round, quiz masters brought in other rounds like cultural round, history round, environment round and games and sports round too. The competition started and I and my friend did a good job by answering most of the questions correctly and maintaining a good score at the end of every round. Most of our answers nailed the questions and we even managed to answer few questions passed on by other teams, earning us some extra points…hurray.  Due to this our school was leading in all the rounds and the rapid round (In this round, we were asked as much questions as possible in one minute) raced us farther from the other teams. In the information and telecommunication round, the question was thrown on the founder of Microsoft Corporation but unfortunately the question was given to Drugyel School which they answered correctly. I looked at Miss Tshering immediately and we exchanged smiles. That day seemed amazingly lucky for us as I had participated in quiz competition before also but it never happened that I produced such great scores. It all was due to the blessing from the Buddha and the trust of our teachers and the whole school. I was happy as we came far ahead of other teams and grabbed hold of the first position immediately. Drugyel High School was second but there was a huge score difference between us and them. Both I and my friend were awarded a Nokia mobile phone each and a certificate from the Ministry of Information and Communication. It felt great as our names were announced by the school principal in the next morning assembly congratulating and appreciating us for our victory. The achievement was mainly possible due to the trust and encouragement showed in me by my beloved Miss Tshering. It was never enough to thank her.

There are numerous times when I visited her place and stayed with her. She would be very much frank and I hardly felt she was my teacher though I respected her. She likes spicy food a lot and I can remember clearly where she will be cooking hot emadatsi and another chilli eazy separately. She would be eating around two kilograms of chillies every week. I was free and comfortable with her and I shared lots of my fears, worries and dreams I had then as an aspiring school student. She has been very much supportive throughout the academic session.

There was a time when I was hospitalized where she came to see me in the hospital and I was very much touched to see her bring me boiled milk. Such memories never fade away and it always makes me feel good and bring smile on my face. Though she didn’t teach me after class X, she was still very much supportive and frequently inquired about my studies. She had supported me financially knowing my broke condition all of the time. She used to tell me frequently, "Tashi, I am going to town. Tell me if you need anything?" I cannot forget those memories ever. 

Soon, I got the news that she would be leaving for the Netherlands for her masters studies within few months. It was a good thing that she was going for her studies and sad too as we would be departing for some time. She assured me that I need not worry as Mam Kuenga, her closest friend would help me and if I faced any problem, I can openly tell her anytime. Mam Kuenga was my sister’s teacher and she had been also too much supportive to both me and my sister. I knew that Mam Kuenga would show me her best part. She was no less than Miss Tshering who helped me a lot with any sort of problems I had during the rest of my stay in the school. She provided me supports (financially and emotionally) and she would check on me after my examination. I still remember going to her with a very stupid problem I faced for some time and she took my problem seriously and helped me a lot. She was busy sparing her precious time on me, making calls to her known friends to clear (get some info) things on my issue and most importantly, telling me time and again, “Don’t worry Tashi. It will be alright” I know if it was any other person in her place, they wouldn’t have done what she did because I have realized that the problem was very much silly and stupid. I myself would have surely ignored if I was in her place. But she didn’t and those moments seem very much special as and when I recall and relive it every time because it’s worth cherishing.

Mam Kuenga with her husband

Heavy studies in class XII with great pressure of my exams were a stressful situation on me and it was not too soon when I found myself next to Mam Kuenga seeking her guidance and help. She provided me great tips for a smart study which made my mind calm down into peace. Mam Kuenga was the career counselor of our school and all the students in my school would agree with me on this note that when she provided counseling to the students, it would be a great wonder the way she would stir up our mind with positive thoughts. All her words would be true and we would get a real feeling of our complete senses motivating us to be better in our lives, do well and think positive. She was ultimately a source of strong positive energy in our school as everybody coming out after her counseling had a mind-set done to accomplish something and make positive changes in their lives.

Miss Tshering and Mam Kuenga
They are the besties

I am not saying that I was a special or best student to them but they always made me feel special with such heart-touching gestures they showed on a student like me. Mam Kuenga and Miss Tshering were the first persons to whom I shared the news that I got the scholarship after my class XII because I felt they truly deserved to know that. I do consider myself as lucky to have met teachers like them as now in the college, life isn’t the same and sometimes I miss them. But this is how things should go as I always cannot expect their support. My school life has been amazing; especially my high school where teachers like them had been more than just teachers’ specifically marking my School life as Golden Life. Rightly said that teachers are our second parent because they taught me how we should lead a humble life. Of course my parents too were supportive and caring but there was something lacking when it came to the understanding part mainly due to the generation gap and Mam Kuenga and Miss Tshering had covered up that loophole, showering me a complete package of affection and support altogether which was very much required for a budding individual. I know my life would have been something different if these two angels were not there in my life. My heart is full of their greatness and not only them, there are other teachers too who had great genuine concern and care for me. Teachers are great and I have witnessed the greatness in them.