Dorji Tenzin: Random Thoughts like Cries of a Clown

Like a clown I roam this world. My youth is fast fading before my age. I am getting bald and weak. Day by day, the massive change occurred in my body. I wondered what God thought when He scripted my story. Four years ago, I was happiest man alive on the planet. I thought the ending of my life story would like the story of ‘the beauty and the beast’. I thought God had put me through enough test and he was giving me a reward. As a child I was thrown against the storm of cruel fate as if I was the Adam himself who went against the will of God. With the last ounce of energy left in my system, with last drop of sinew left in my bone and with last strength left in my muscle, I endured God’s fury like a domiciled prisoner. I struggled hard to understand the God’s fury with education for I knew the pen is always mightier than the sword. Then, God, your cruel fury knew no bound. You knew that I wouldn’t break down with the punishment you meted out to me. You were jealous of my strength...

T he completion of construction of Budha Dodenma statue at the Kuenzang Phodrang may be delayed due to the lack of fund.   The organizers have done all they could looking for funds. In history this could be the first time that the Buddha is in dire need of human help whereas conventionally human beings need Buddha’s help. Meanwhile the Buddha has seen many things that are happening in and around the Thimphu starting from Royal Thimphu College to Dechenphug. In his abode, he would have turned his eyes and the attention away. But at Kuensel Phodrang!!!! Oh poor Buddha!!! He had no choice but to be witness of all, be it robbery, rape, cheating, gang fight or sexual rampage. He has to smell every odour be it condom under his nose, drain water or human excretions collected at the Olakha. One can only pity the helplessness of the Buddha who is erected to bless the believers and tourist agency with empowerment and money. Meanwhile, the lovers who want to enjoy away from the pryin...

G.K Chesterton has said following thing about the tradition. ‘Trading means giving votes to the most obscure of all class-our ancestor. It is the democracy of the death.’ On other hand, Indira Gandhi said, ‘tradition is itself the product of continuous evolution.’ These two quotes seem contradictory in the surface. However, going deep, these two sayings seem to convey the similar meaning. Tradition is not something sculptured in the igneous rock which can’t be erased. Even the rock so rigid and durable is prone to weathering and disintegration over the geographic time. The tradition and culture so rigid but shameful must give ways to more irrelevant and contemporary ones. The tradition must evolve as to suit the time. The recent report of media said that the ‘sacred dance becomes a cause for cheap laugh.’ This was regarding the Peling Tercham and the response of the crowd. The crowd had reportedly jeered at the naked dancers. One overacting guy was beaten by security personnel. ...

I don't understand GNH. I have never understood this noble concept. Probably, this philosophical economy concept is beyond my education to understand. In high school, we were made to to learn the GNH and its concept as delivered by present Prime Minister Jigme Y Thinley in one of the international conference. GNH doesn't fit into my understanding. I sometimes feel confused if GHN is modification of Buddhism. I imagined that the GNH society should be a place where collective happiness with democratic values are prioritized before individual and political interest. The wholesaler of GNH is losing the battle as the country is face with corruption, crime, unemployment and lifestyle diseases. Perhaps, we were never a shangri-la (except from environmental point of view). Ours was a country laden with religious and political strife since the advent of Buddhism in our country. Today, this GNH originator not the happiest country in the world no matter how it like...

I have heard somebody saying, 'if you are caught, lie some more.' In the school and home, i was taught that honesty is a good policy while i have observed that the dishonesty is a good politics. I don't know whether lying is a sin because i have never remember going to a hell. On other hand, lying gets one rewarded at the cost of wrongdoings. if you are first time liar, it is natural to feel guilty. DON'T WORRY!!!  just lie for the second time, your guilt will decrease. By the third lie you tell, you will feel excited and most often rewards will come showering. There is no excitement like lying.  Tshering, a conman from Mongar feels that without lies his family of five would have starved. He started lying after  knowing that he will get what he wants. With first lies and fake tears in eyes, he sold his copper ring at Nu. 10,000 to a sympathizing and innocent stranger. He told the stranger that he was in debt after death of his wife. The selling of ring was only way t...