Dorji Tenzin: Random Thoughts like Cries of a Clown

Every Bhutanese who visited Nepal probably never missed these two sites in Katmandu. One is Jarung Khasor and another is Phagma Singkuen which is locally known as Swayambunath located in the western Kathmandu. I consulted Google Rinpoche to know about this place. He told me that Stupa is dome shaped at the base above which is a cubical structure. The cubical structure is painted with eyes of Buddha looking in all four directions. I imagine that probably it is watching deeds of all citizens of Nepal while occasionally offering protection for those who come to seek it. I was told that there are two ways to each the stupa one via road and other via stairs from the base of the hill. While at the stairs, you will see local people either preparing to lit butter lamp or lighting the butter lamp. At first I mistook all of them for pious Buddhists trying to light their ways to the enlightenment. However, reality couldn’t be further as most of them are doing religious business to further their l...

  800 years ago, a man from Kham, Tibet named Dondup Gyeltshen came to Bhutan. He wedded two sisters from Thimphu. Elder sister gave him a son. Younger sister gave him seven sons probably from single pregnancy. When his younger wife was away, he threw all seven sons into the river. Four sons miraculously survived. That crazy man is none other than Phajo Drugom Zhigpo who propagated Drukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan. An emanation of Boddhisattva of Compassion, he was instrumental in promoting both religious and temporal laws in Bhutan.  You can see this stone carving on the way to Chagri Monastery, Thimphu

  In the 16th century, the Divine Madman travelled from Babesa towards Paro. He passed through Tsew Gang (opposite side of Thimphu Namseling accross the Thimphu Chu). To see if he was prophesied to build a temple, he shouted, 'Lama Sangay, are you there?' Somebody answered, 'there is no Lama Sangay.' He again shouted, 'Nyerp Longchey, are you there?' Again somebody answered, 'there is no nyep Longchey.' He shouted for the third time, 'Tsem Damchoe, are you there?' Again someone answered, 'there is no Tsem Damchoe.' He realised he was not destined to establish his seat there. However, he extracted drupchu nearby to solve water scarcity which has dried up today. He visited second time there. He asked locals if they wanted to buy gold powder from him. All locals refused but plotted to steal at night. Lama replaced human defacation with gold powder which villagers stole. Lama exclaimed laughing, 'These people never wanted gold I offer ...

  Somewhere in 12th or 13th Century, I would like to imagine that Truku Sherab Gyeltshen meditated here. I would like to imagine that while taking break from his meditation, he reminisced about his previous life as Lama Shakya Gyeltshen and his dharmic romance with Azhi Nangsa Yoebum. In his reminiscence, he saw Azhi Nangsa levitating in the air along with him as her husband Prince Drakpa Samdrup showered rains of arrows upon them. Historically, this Goemba is said to be more than 300 years old believed to have been founded by Lam Ngawang Chogyal. Personally, I got first two blisters in my right foot after so many years while trekking up. Once you reached there, you can enjoy view of Thimphu Town and beautiful sunset especially if you start travelling up there in the afternoon. You can trek and it could take anywhere between one hour to three hours depending on how first your feet can carry from Simtokha, Thimphu. You can also drive on dirt road as of now.....

  A Deadly Pilgrimage Plan On 10th December 2021, I woke up as early as 4.30 A.M. In the cold of winter, with morning breeze piercing my bone, I rushed to Changlimithang with my close friend who booked the ticket. It was my first time booking a local tour bus to visit five sacred places in the Paro one of which was Neychen Dongkola. The old coaster bus rumbled and roared with occasional reluctance of clutch on the Thimphu Paro-Highway. Around 6.30 a.m, we crossed Shaba School in Paro and were just few kilometers below Drakarpo when clutch refused to cooperate while shifting gear. Our bus sled backwards and rear-ended into the drain saving us from being airlifted to Emergency Ward of Thimphu Hospital. With fear in mind for almost meeting death and relief of being escaped from near death, passengers booked taxi to visit the Great Sacred Buddhist Site Dongkorla. Accident or no accident, people seemed to have great faith in blessing of Neychen Dongkola. Journey Towards Dongkola Journ...