Turning & Turning In The Widening Gyre Of Samsara

In loving memory of the old me, let me share an information which might not have much sense. One of the most widely celebrated day in life, in my observation, is the day when one is born. Fortunately or unfortunately, I never had an exact birthday. For this reason I'm excluded from celebrating birthdays. My dear mother confirmed my birth day somewhere in fifth month of a

Picture is the imagery of samsara

Tibetan calendar. Possibly it could be on first week of a July. Despite the fact of not having a recorded birthday, it never bothered me at all! I am a true believer of Brian Tracy’s, “It doesn't matter where you're coming from. All that matters is where you're going.” When someone teases me, I defend with wit and convince them that everyday is my birthday. However, there is one reason I found difficult to accept. Birthdays are one side of a truth. I've to develop an undiscriminating appetite to understand this fact. Let me disclose who I am today has a fear within me; the fear of death. The fruit of temporary achievement (living a materialistic life) didn't motivated me as much as fear has been a primary motivator. Fear has never held me back, indeed it has pushed me into a new environment. But death is not the sole culprit. It is birth which begins not only this unavoidable cycle but for everything we can experience in this world. Birth and death are inseparable. They're two sides of a coin. If so, why do I embrace birth? And why do I ignore death? Here too, I need a valid reason. I have an insatiable appetite for the eternal path and the possibility is seen although the track is obscure.

For the joy of human birth and the dreadfully felt fear for death, let me remind myself with the ticking of every second about the little time of life. It maybe a most cherished day but it is a day that adds fear in my chapter of life. Eventually and ultimately I can feel a happy birthday for I have lived these many days since score and seven years. I will continue to ponder the questions of birth and life and the cycle of living each day. And each year during the month of my birth I’ll look even more deeply into my thoughts of so many others who share the same questions, concerns and wonder at both sides of this coin called life on planet earth. The two sides coin of birth and death.

Confession #2

Pic: Google 

We were chanting the mantra of a compassionate Bodhisattva while thoughts in my mind, stupid mostly, kept me engaged the whole day. Of all the thoughts that came and passed, it was one kind of a thought that touched me truly and honestly. Situation let me to vividly remember my old bygone days and I realised my own cruelty. 

Thoughts are likely to strike your mind when you go through situations having similar connection or it can be otherwise.

My friends and I would always love to gather to discuss our next hunting spot. Frankly speaking, we didn't mind openly shooting stones at birds, harmless birds! As far as my memory is clear, I alone shot two birds with my own hands and with the catapults. 

My gosh! This story of going for hunting birds and other animals like deer, rabbit & squirrel is short, though not as short as you might know, but not habitually fishing story, even at my early twenties, eh! There was a time when smallest insects too had to be killed in order to get fish. There was a time when fight would broke out between friends when getting fish was not only difficult but risky too. There was a time when parents would punish us and teachers would openly insult us in the morning assembly. And all because we were fishing? Not necessarily but definitely when we were wrong in our actions. Wrong to take others life, wong even to kill a fly. Those were taught at home and school yet I paid less heed to what they told me. Maybe, may not be, those advices, I stored in my mind, what is scientifically known as subconscious level? I don't know. That might have played a role in the later part of my life? Still I'm not sure. If it worked that way, we should learn to keep advising younger generations, time and again. To some of you, I am more of a flattery, but that doesn't stop me from saying that I do not take meet anymore.

Whenever I chant or pray, thoughts comes one after another. And I'm so remorseful about my own action. Of course that can hardly recompense for all that I've done. Only almighty and my karma knows. I must pay for it. Those were the days when thoughts were immature and actions too. 

The Lord of compassion, Avaloketeshvara, pity me for my unknown deeds. Equally, I am regretful, for I shall bear nobody's but my own deeds. While my weep comes deep down from heart, I'm clasping my two hands, to get out of hell, even though I’m the perpetrator of a sin. Through you, my lord, I shall learn to render services following your footsteps, doesn't matter the output, even if it is tiny like the point of a pin.

Will I ever rid of cruel deeds?

My Friend Lost His Close Brothers To Canine Distemper

Early this year, I traveled to Samtse. It was just another unplanned trip that took me to the southern foothills. I had no specific reason for going, other than to meet my friends who had been expecting me for some years. As I write this, I already miss them.

It was my second time visiting Samtse, so I anticipated some confusion. To avoid this, I informed Deepen Raj Ghalley—whom I call by his first name only—to meet me at the bus stand, as another friend was busy teaching. Instead of picking me up, he asked if I would be comfortable going home with his mother, who works as a senior nurse at Samtse Hospital, since he had to stay with his two brothers. Two brothers? I thought to myself, surprised, but I didn't ask further. I told him I would be happy to, as his mother treats me like one of her sons. However, when I inquired at the ticket counters, the only available bus was the afternoon one. I didn’t want to wait that long, so I booked a seat on the Tendu bus, hoping to find a car once I reached Samtse town and catch a ride to Chengmari from there, avoiding the need to wait for his mother.

I must have been fortunate to get a seat on the Tendu bus, which meant I could get off somewhere along the way. However, the bus was old and worn out, and I had to adjust for at least three hours.

Deepen with Jomboo (left) and Jimba 

Deepen was waiting for me on the road. He knew exactly when the bus would arrive. After a brief two-minute walk, he led me to a newly built house off the road. Once inside, I quickly realized that his "two brothers" were Jomboo and Jimba—two little puppies, three months old, brought from Punakha. Judging by the kennel and the food, it was clear that they were treated no less than brothers by Deepen and his family.

I felt a bit awkward seeing Deepen dedicating most of his time to nurturing the puppies. Of course, he understood what was going through my mind. It’s not that I don’t love animals—I do. In fact, I have a story from when I was in second grade about how I cried after a little puppy suddenly died without showing any signs of illness. A few years later, I lost another puppy and went searching for it from village to village, but in vain. Only I know the pain I went through. It was then that I decided not to develop close attachments to animals, as I couldn’t handle the emotions.

But I also knew how much Deepen loved them. He slept with them, cleaned up after them, and played with them whenever he was bored. They meant everything to him. I’ve known Deepen since college, and everyone knew how lazy he used to be. I was surprised to see him wake up early at six o'clock to cook for his brothers. I was happy to see that he had picked up some good habits. If anyone deserved thanks for this, it was those two little puppies.

In addition to taking care of them, Deepen had started growing mushrooms on a small scale, with plans to expand the business if things went well.

Recently, Deepen shared me, in grief, that he had lost his two little brothers to Canine Distemper. The entire family was mourning their loss. I knew how much they loved the puppies, and even I was disturbed by the news. I tried to console him, but he was upset by the fact that many dogs were still succumbing to the infection and no one seemed to be taking the matter seriously. Something must be done to save the lives of these innocent animals. Too many dogs, regardless of age or health, have lost their lives.

At the moment, all he can do is watch helplessly as the dogs die

"I'm totally devastated, man," read Deepen’s WhatsApp message last night. It has been almost seven days since he lost his dear brothers, yet he still hasn't returned to normal.

I pray for their rebirth into a heavenly realm.

Deepen adopted two other stray dogs but already lost one to the disease. Blacky, in the picture, will be the fourth dog to die from the Canine Distemper. Can't imagine stray dogs situations! 

To Yangki, But Not Really

Dear Yangki,

One thing that seldom bothers me while writing is when I don't know how to start or where to end. Interestingly, I can gossip as much as you like in the middle. You are cordially invited to listen to my gossip.

Yangki, as I am writing a simple note to you, I am simultaneously breaking a promise I made to myself last night. I decided, and even told my friends, not to disturb me in any way for ten days, and I would live without contacting anyone. Things turned out otherwise. The main reason is that I have to submit my daily mantra chant when the concerned monks come during their scheduled time; in this case, I had to comply. Sharing some gossip now surely brings me relief for not getting the isolation I desired. Today, which is the third day, I completed one of the three mantras. It may sound strange, but I have much nonsense to share. To be precise, it is gossip! Please bear with me for a few minutes, even though you might have more meaningful tasks in your pipeline. 

On my first day, I woke up to the sound of a vajra bell and damaru, instead of my cell phone alarm, from a neighbor who lives downstairs. I reached for my phone to check the time, and unsurprisingly, it was near six o'clock. After tossing and turning for a few minutes, I managed to shake off my drowsiness. The alarm went off again, and I would have fallen back asleep if it hadn't been for the second reminder.

If there was something new to savor in the morning, it was a potato curry after almost a month for breakfast. I missed potatoes because, like most kids, I am still a potato lover. During my time as a cook (Soepen), during three weeks of voluntary service for Khen Rinpoche (or abbot to some), potatoes, onions, garlic, and pumpkin were never cooked due to health issues and religious beliefs. After enjoying the potato curry, I began my prayers and chanting.

Not long after I started chanting, a distant babble of conversation grew louder as it neared my dwelling, but I didn’t bother to intervene. One of them knocked on the door. They were highly learned monks accompanied by seniors. I nodded when the one who knocked asked if I was staying there. They left, and I felt frustrated. I craned my neck out the window to see if my neighbors were around, but no one was there. I hopped over to the window and locked the door from the outside, thinking no one would disturb me. But like Jerry to Tom, a second group came, and I overheard their conversation. I moved the curtains to let them know I was still inside. It wasn’t funny, by the way. There was no point in locking the door from the outside once they knew I was inside. A third group came and left. I unlocked the door from the outside, still feeling irritated.

My goal was to complete one mantra within three days, so I sped up my efforts from the second day. I wrote my name on a piece of paper and pasted it on the door, hoping to avoid interruptions like the day before. But the more I chanted, the less my mouth could manage. My thumb started aching after running over the beads hundreds and thousands of times. I felt like sleeping. Oh no! Maybe Mara was trying to thwart me? Above all, it is my untamable mind that needs attention. I couldn’t control it for even a few seconds. The harder I tried, the tougher it became. In a fraction of a second, my mind took me on the longest adventures I’ve ever traveled and ever will. Friends I departed from long ago, food I tasted in the past, places I visited, pranks I played, services I rendered, love I received, beauty I witnessed – all vividly resurfaced and triggered an adrenaline rush. I was alone in the room but fully engaged by my mind. The other friends I had were four statues: Sakyamuni Buddha placed on the top rack, and below, from left to right, Vajrasattva, Guru Nangsi Zilnön, and Avalokiteshvara. I watched them as if they were going to talk to me.

Honestly, I signed out of all my social network accounts except for WeChat and my blog, just to stay judiciously connected. In this way, I don't know what’s happening outside. No, I’m not Googling either. You won’t believe it, but I can still faintly hear my neighbor’s TV, though it requires focus. Since I chose to distance myself from any news, whenever I hear "Corona…" on BBS from downstairs, I chant louder – even louder if the sound is clear. For this reason, I am unaware of the current coronavirus cases. I hope and pray that everything will resume from where it left off. May it be a good and great leap, my dear.

Dear Yangki, I regret to say I’ve shared everything in a nutshell. I’m sorry, but most of my gossip remains untold. I didn’t lie, though. I won’t regret not revealing it all – believe me, too much honesty isn’t always good. Some stories aren’t meant to be disclosed, remember that.

Sitting the whole day between four walls, with thoughts racing through my mind uncontrollably and gossip popping up, perhaps it’s my responsibility to share it with you individually, Yangki.

Take care. See you soon.

Thank you,

Jamyang Loden.

COVID-19: I will fight with Prayer

Counting......

Almost all of us, if not, most of us are by now aware of COVID-19 which according to scientist is believed to cause infection by a coronavirus family. Late last year, when it initially started to spread from China’s Wuhan city, many of us remained calm, not knowing kind of waves we would receive later. Despite the effort of world’s think tank in eradication of this viral infection, still things are uncontrollable at some point of time. I personally feel that we as an individuals can also play a vital role by following what concerned authorities have to say. Let me restate some of the common health hacking ideas to avoid transmission because I believe in timely reminder.

1. Wash your hands after touching any objects (follow the steps of hand washing)

2. Social Distancing is also must because we do not know who is infected and who is not, therefore it is safer to keep distance (or if possible isolate yourself).

Although there are many tips down the list I vehemently trust the above two but before getting infected.

Now why I am sharing this is because at this time we must learn to sacrifice based on the priority of our work. Having a comfortable life is must but one cannot risk life by going to a crowded market. Your business might run into loss but still it can boom up to a good profit once we are done with current pandemic. One may wish to go into a new places, I am afraid, who knows if infected people are loitering. Isn’t it not a better idea to remain at home as suggested by many experts? I too believe in impermanence of everything and I am confident that this situation too will end like nothing has happened. Sorry to use ‘nothing’ but yes this will turn into a fact. Many of us will restart to a better and normal life once we win the war.

Going through social networks we get to see and read so many havoc's while some are desperate to do anything to be at the safer side. These shows how unprepared we are to leave this world. We have forgotten that we are a guest and must learn to leave like a guest.

Having said let me also opine some of the thoughts that went through my head in the recent times. First thing I realized was that I am still a coward guy, the one I used to be since I knew my cowardice long time back. I thought things would turn into better, once I start my spiritual journey. But no, nothing will change unless you are not taking extra burden to change. Waiting things would change for me is another cowardice decision alive in me. You know folks, the moment I saw first positive case in Bhutan, in my mother land, I went mentally numb. I didn’t know how to react. I had an itchy feeling running all over my body as if virus has infected me at that moment. I don’t know if victims had that itchy kind of feeling, maybe, it was my psychic feeling, I guess. After I went through such moment I called my close ones to remain hygiene. Thank god I could at least remember to call them otherwise I would drop them a messages and wouldn’t bother whether they read or not. If I learned anything from that incident, it is to remind myself that things can topple down anytime, uncertainly. I must be well prepared to leave this world, not when I  am ready but whenever I receive a call.

Things became normal for me after American man was airlifted to US for the better treatment. I don’t know why but it brought me a relief when I saw and heard such news. Indeed I saw a sigh of relief in many Bhutanese yet government never slept peacefully. It was a call to remind us whether we are ready to face the catastrophe, if no, get ready. With passing of the each day world at large was fighting at their best and still, at this time, many are fighting. Remember that when you have done reading this, many would have succumbed to infections while many positive cases detected. The number might be still increasing every moment. It is a concerning subject but nobody should take advantage of the situation and spread fake news. Some people are innocent and desperate to believe anything given in the social network. Being responsible is also a contribution to the society, especially at this time. Mediocre citizen like us must refrain from spreading any news without authentic sources.

By now some of you might be wondering because I have had enough of bragging as if I am leading some kind of troops to fight the current case. Sorry to say but I am doing nothing. Nothing, because what I am doing won’t have objective value. All I am doing is locking the door from outside and entering inside from the window so that nobody notices me while I am busy on my own. As instructed, I am chanting mantra and praying whole day except taking a rest during lunch and sleeping hours. I hear some of our authorities walking, supposedly on checking, some even touching the curtain, maybe inquiring the presence of some monks. They told us not to go away from monastery boundary, for the safety of us, rather to stay in the respective rooms and do mantras chant. Some may not believe in the power of prayer but my guru told us that collective prayers are heard faster. I have no doubt about that. I am optimistic about prayer and its result. What can a religious person do? Nothing but to sit and pray! Ten years ago our economic teacher told us monks do not contribute economically. Still I am confused. Any ways, even if I am not contributing, I am not liability for the government. To those who believe in prayer, why don’t you choose to do some prayer recitation and try to connect spiritually? Many of us can chant basic mantras and that’s exactly what I am doing. I don’t have sophisticated religious books in front me. All I’ve is a simple prayer book which most of the schools recites daily during their evening time. If you agree to my suggestion and feel's you are not doing any productive job, do not not wait for tomorrow, start chanting. We can still fight, with prayer. 

Be a responsible human!

My Slow And Steady Reading Habits

When it comes to reading I don't have common disciplined habits. I read books whenever I feel like reading without having a strict discipline. Maybe this has hampered me in upgrading my reading habits but I'm reading, at least keeping alive what I love. Sadly I can hardly finish a book in a year and I'm feeling myself that reading habit is slowly fading from me. Of course I read many interesting articles online. Still I'm not satisfied by the fact that I'm forgetting my old habits. 

When I was in high school I read almost 30 books and that was, maybe, a time when I was instilling a habit of reading? After that I couldn't race the pace of my habits of reading though I kept it alive even to these days despite my tight schedule. 

Tight schedule? Yes since I've to go on with my prayer and other monastic related chores. 

Even as a child I had a habit of reading stories although I was academically poor in almost every subjects. By the time I was in my fifth grade I'd done with the stories in English and Dzongkha text book of seventh grade. Before reading actual story I would directly read 'about authors' that would be given at the end after that I may go with the story otherwise I may not. I don't know why but I still have that habit with me. 

Dawa-the story of a stray dog in Bhutan is the first novel for many, including myself, followed by Giver written by ace Kunzang Choden and Lois Lowry simultaneously. For some it is only two novels throughout their live. We owe Education system for this. 

As far as I remember Man, Woman and Child by Erich Segal is my first novel beside every Bhutanese students so far read novel. After having picked that book from the library I was a frequent visitor in the library. My friend and I would be going with any books though some books were too complicated to understand. Some of the books I read are still absurd, I completed just for the sake of reading. Maybe completion of books from first to last has helped me familiarise with different technique of reading and also in the selection of books thereafter.

I read this when I was in my 11th grade, 2009.
Image source: Goodreads. 

Of all the things reading is concerned, the change it has brought in me is something I'll cherish throughout my life. Book reading is truly fascinating habit with incalculable value. People in the past have read and became wise and this is what we must do in order to gain knowledge. I read books because of the two great reasons:

Friendship plays important role in bonding  world outside us. I've also noticed that human hardly stay without friends. Even I need a good companion. It is in book I find my best friend. I laugh, cry, smile and talk with book. Humans are fair-weather friend and foul-weather friend, book is not. It doesn't talk yet conveys deep messages.

Facts: Once I was traveling from Gelephu to Tsirang by bus. I was alone: alone without a friend. You know what I did? I simply took my Nokia XL and sliped into my PDF folder to check if there was an intriguing story. Yeah there was many but I chose a book written by one of the Buddhist scholar,  it was of course Buddhist philosophy, as it also had minimum pages compared to others (I forgot title and author.) In two and half hours journey I was enjoying myself at the full energy. Such a profound philosophy Buddhism has, I thought that time after reading. Frankly I didn't notice how I reached my destiny and what went inside bus. Such is the power of book. 

Learning mostly takes incessantly during reading. While reading you're not only reading the characters but also what kind of messages do the writers want to convey. Indeed you're learning authors opinion on a particular subjects and you as a reader has every right to put view. This is exchange of knowledge. My knowledge is very low in many fields and reading is the only relevant source I can rely. Today I know about far away places which I may not visit in my next lives also, I know about tiniest creatures, I know about legends that revolutionized the living style, I know how to love beings, it is reading habits that has filled something valuable in my empty brain.

I'm listing some of the books I enjoyed and they are not ranked serially.

1. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
2. Think And Grow Rich
3. Siddhartha
4. Peace Is Every Step
5. The Heart of Understanding
6. Man, Woman And Child
7. The Story of My Experiments With Truth
8. Unlimited Power
9. You Can Win
10.  The Guide
11. Buddhism and Science: A Guide For The Perplexed
12. Alice In The Wonderland
13. Freedom Is Not Free
14. Things Fall Apart
15. Sapiens (reading......)

I do not remember who inspired me to read stories but I do feel that it was my mother who played a silent role with her bed time stories. Only later I was to know that some of her stories were corrupted but some bed time stories she narrated are not in any of the folk tales I read so far. Maybe those stories have vanished? I wish to rewrite but I'm not sure if my mother can recollect 'coz it is more than two decades that she narrated to any of us. It is a social changes. Technology easily lured children to embrace new gadgets. Thank God! My generation got to listen those bed time stories.  

In today's world it is going to be a challenge for parents to make their children learn through reading. Many of us are lazy to flip even a page. We don't want to invest even few minutes on reading but long hours with cell phone is okay. Am I investing into internet productively? I'm not sure but I try. I remind that I should not pay service providers to spoil me.

I'll keep reading although I'm slow and steady. 

Drukmo: The Story Behind the Name (འབྲུག་མོ།)

Copyright @ Jamyang Tashi Yangki 

I do not know how to begin. Even then, I'll try to do justice to my feelings in introducing this logo and the hidden meanings it carries.

By the way, Tashi Yangki and I share a good bond of friendship, and we are emotionally connected. She and I are friends, but I cannot coin a word to describe our true relationship. Nevertheless, that's not very important to know. We equally respect our relationship and the kind of bond we share; that is all I can sum up in a nutshell.

The logo that she recently posted on her Facebook page was neither created by her nor conceived in her head. It was created by her close Tibetan friends with the help of Golden Pen Limited.

For me, I value everything, but not much if I do not get a valid reason. And for her logo, too, I was eager to know why her Tibetan friends designed it in such a way. This curiosity triggered Yangki to ask her logo creators. Mind you, they have amazing reasons to describe, which I immediately felt compelled to blog and share with you all.

I am sure what comes to your mind when you see the word 'Drukmo,' and yes, you're right—it is because she is from Druk (Bhutan). Therefore, 'mo' should be understood as a suffix that completes the meaning of Drukmo as a 'female from Druk.' But this is not the only reason. The story dates back to the time of Ling Gesar Gyalpo, whose story is known to most of us Bhutanese. King Gesar had a wife who was born to an aristocratic family, with a kind heart, compassion for all beings, love for everyone without bias, and beauty in her appearance. She was not born with auspicious signs. She was an ordinary woman doing all those wonderful deeds. Her name was Sengcham Drukmo. In the logo, the girl has an ordinary face because Drukmo was an ordinary woman.

Also, in her recent trips to Tibet, Yangki visited a lake known as Yelhung Lhayi Tshomo, which is connected to a girl by the same name who was responsible for discovering treasures. Upon reaching the lake, one feels a joyfulness like never before. Moreover, Yangki is said to be the first female from Bhutan to reach that sacred place, according to her Tibetan friends. With these beautiful stories, this is how they came up with Drukmo. Different colors represent the four elements: fire, water, earth, and wind. The rest doesn't carry much meaning because it is the name that speaks everything.

Few people may understand what Yangki does, but I feel her intention and the kind of work she is interested in. I'm sure Drukmo is the right word her Tibetan friends gave. I do not find any other words better than this. Yes! You're a true Drukmo. Tibetans are fascinated by the name Drukmo, and whoever has extraordinary traits gets the name. It is hard to get this name, but you've earned it. I will always pray for your visionary journey.

Ordinarily extraordinary you are!