Om Bha Nye, Trashi Yangtse

In 1989, I was born in Tongzhang, under Trashi Yangtse, Eastern Bhutan. Had I was not born there, I would have not known about such Nyes (Sacred places), visited and blessed by Guru Rinpoche in 8^th century. It is Nye Guru Rinpoche visited physically. Read below to discover the fact about Nyes in Trashi Yangtse.

In TrashiYangtse, there are several Nyes, Dzongs and Temples, such as Gomphu Kora, Chorten Kora, Pemaling, Dechen Phodrang, Gongza, Om Bha, Tsenkharla Dzong, Dongdi Dzong, Trashi Yangtse Dzong, Rigsum Goenpa, Thrichu Goenpa, and many more.

Today, I will introduce Om Bha Nye to discover it completely with other references in future. The Om Bha Nye is one of the many Nyes left unexplored until a decades ago. The reason behind for above is remoteness of the district.

Om Bha Nye is located on the Rocky cliff like Taksthang, where one has to walk for about two hours from Tsangpochen, Trashiyangtse.The footpath runs through the pebblyoak forest, passing through various hills and valleys of Toetsho Gewog. Upon reaching Om Bha village below the Nye, we can see the Temple and Guru Statue beautifully perched on the rocky cliff.

The Nye-Yig (Detail about the sacred place) is not clear about when Guru Rinpoche visited and blessed the Nye, but the people in the locality believe in two ways. Some believe that the place was blessed after the Gomphu Kora and Gongza Nye, in same district. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche came to Om Bha nye, following his vision, which he perceived in Mon-Yul Shao Taktshang in Arunachal Pradesh in India.

It is also believed that Guru Rinpoche, as prophesied, visited to Om Bha Nyeto subdue a Snake Demon that tormented people in that locality. Whatsoever, the Nye is one of the most important Nyes in Trashi Yangtse.

After blessing and turning the place into sacred site or the Om Bha Nye, then Guru Rinpoche, headed to Aja Nye, situated in Sherimung in Mongar. Om Bha Nye derives its name from the holy ‘Om Aah Hung’syllable of compassion mantra. ‘Om Bha Nye’stands for ‘Om’. Before reaching the main Nye, we can see with our naked eyes, the inscription of ‘Om’ on the rocky cliff. It is believed that there are more than 100 ‘Oms’ inscribed on the rock and name of the Nye is derived then.

At the site, Guru Rinpoche meditated for two months in a cave on the left flank of the rocky cliff. He subdued the snake demon by riding on a pony, Guru Rinpoche then began concealing the treasures in Om Bha nye. The hidden treasures would discover one day to flourish dharma in the region and to the world as a whole. According to the locals, treasures left undiscovered today.

Apart from the holy inscriptions on the rocky cliff, there are other sacred sites like the Cave Guru Rinpoche meditated in, imprints of chortens (stupas) on the rocks, Rinchen Terzoed, Guru Tendrom and Guru Rinpoche’s chakar (walking staff).In addition, newly built open space Guru Rinpoche statue on the rock above Temple.

The people across the country visit Ombha nye, to see the inscription, is a religious wonder people, which should see at least once in their lifetime. However, the one-third of the Nyes left uncovered today because the locals do not know the exact explanations. 

Open Tribute Letter to ‘TEACHERS’

Writer: Dendup Gyembo

Date: 27^th April, 2016

Place: Thimphu

Dear Teachers,

With ‘Teacher’s Day’ celebration this year, I would like to reimburse tribute for being one of the nicest people in my life. In Japanese terminology, it says, “Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.” By time I entered the school before 21 years, I was unable to take care of myself and my stuff. Teachers taught me to care my things. That’s simple but great beginning. I am greatly obliged that I am standing at current position due to my beloved teachers.

There are no words to describe the way teachers educated and nurtured me by bestowing incomparable kindness. I had been in schools, institutions, and college for last many years, where I came across the individual like my teachers. Teachers are more than what I think and I don’t have words to express gratitude for your tremendous help and bestowing me with your knowledge, which made me learned individual. Thank you, teachers for your dedicated services in educating me. Moreover, your words are encouraging and inspirational to me, which remain in my heart forever.

As a student, I am always here and there to remember selfless teachers for making my life bright from being in dull for last many years. As an unenlightened mind, I would have created mistakes of which was unusual and against the will of teachers, knowingly or unknowingly, if so, I apologize for my misconduct.

I completed my undergraduate studies before few years, and found my own ways to stand. Same like bureaucrats, scientists, politicians, artists, researchers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, medical specialists, and so on, I am who I am today partly because of a great teacher. Therefore, teachers devote their lives to giving me the tools to succeed and work for the nation building. It is teachers who listen to me, who challenge me, and who encourage me to stand up for my values.

The unquestionable truth is that, teachers are selfless individuals, who need our salute for the appropriate value on the contribution that teachers make to our collective future. If we are to rate teachers, it’s far too high, and given that teachers are the builders of our future, losing even one good teacher is too many. It is indeed a great lost for the nation.

With good teachers in schools, I have seen immediate inspiring effects of teachers leading the schools in shaping students with innovative knowledge. I, as students for last 16 years in schools, institutions and college, I feel that we must continue to expand career and leadership opportunities like these, opportunities that allow us to develop teacher’s practice, foster a school culture that encourages collaboration with teachers, and empower with the autonomy to innovate and thrive. This is ways of teachers being good in schools.

To build the nation, and to brighten the nation with human resource, teachers play an important role just not for name sake but it is incredibly important work. I, on this very auspicious day of His Majesty, the Third Druk Gyelpo’s Birth Anniversary and the Teachers’ Day, I wish all the Teachers a very Happy Teachers’ Day.

Long Live Beloved Teachers…

Thanking you,

Yours Faithfully

(Dendup Gyembo)

Ex-Student