LHABAB DUECHEN

- The Descending Day of Lord Buddha

………..is celebrated on the 22^nd day in the 9^th lunar month of the Bhutanese calendar. The day is celebrated to mark the anniversary of the Lord Buddha’s descent from the realm of heaven to the earth. Lord Buddha descended from the heaven on this day.

On this day, the Tshechus are conducted for the benefit of all the sentient beings in this universe irrespective anything. The people visit the Monasteries, Nyes, holy places, etc. to offer their prayers and to celebrate or mark the day.

The people in Bhutan and other Buddhist countries considered the day as one of the most important day in the history of Buddhist culture and traditions. The Government offices, Schools and other agencies kept closed for a day to celebrate it and pay the tribute to Lord Buddha being descended to the earth on this day.

The Lord Buddha:

The Lord Buddha was founder of the Buddhist philosophy in the world. More than 2500 years before, he lived in North India. The term ‘Buddha’ means the ‘Awakened one’; the one who can see the things in their natural perspective has been immoral now. A Lord Buddha is a person who is completely free from all the faults and mental obstructions, and such was the Buddha, fragile and peaceful, tactful and celestial.

He was born as a noble prince on the full moon day of May in the year 566 BC in Lumbini Park at Kapilavastu. Kapilavastu was originally in northern India but is now a part of Nepal which was ruled by his father King Suddhodana over the land of the Sakyans. His mother, Queen Maha Maya was a princess of the Koliyas.

Months before the childbirth, Queen Mahamaya has a series of fourteen dreams, night after night. In one of those dreams, she saw a white elephant descending from heaven. Queen Mahamaya shared the dreams to the King and King too has shared his views on dreams to comfort Queen Mahamaya. The words of King proved to be absolutely true. This child was to become the perpetual light of the world in time.

When the time of her delivery neared in, Queen Mahamaya expressed her wish to go to her parental home. The Suddhodana has agreed with Queen and arranged her entourage to her parental place to give birth.

So, on a full moon day Queen Mahamaya started her journey. Some attendants followed her carriage. About halfway between the two cities, the queen started feeling the first pains of labor. There, the physician maid said that it would be not difficult to proceed. So, they camped in the Lumbini grove. There under the shade of a flowering Sal tree, the queen delivered a son.

The attendants then brought the queen and the child carefully back to the palace. When King Suddhodana saw the child, he felt as if all his wishes had been fulfilled. So he named him Siddhartha. The whole kingdom rejoiced over the birth of their prince.

History of Lhabab Duechen:

The history of Lhabab Duechen dates back to the times of Lord Buddha. Unfortunately, Queen Mahamaya expired seven days after Lord Buddha’s birth. He was under special care of Gotami, a sister of Queen Mahamaya who was married to King. He received a royal education, special training in the art of welfare but it all happened in the world of palace.

Lord Buddha was married at the age of sixteen to the queen Yasodhara. Queen Yasodhara gave birth to son. One day, Lord Buddha with his attendant went out of palace where he saw “Kay-Gaa-Na-Chi Du-ngyel” the sufferings of the universe. So, therefore, one night he bid them a farewell to his wife and son. He then started his expedition in search of “Truth and Paeace”.

After many years of practicing dharma and meditating in search of “Truth and Peace”, he walked for days and nights where he did not find permanent things around. He lived in caves, near River banks, etc. and etc. He reached the city of Bodhgaya and settled down on the banks of a river. It was a pleasant spot, soothing to the senses and stimulating to the mind. Crossed-legged he sat there under a large Fig tree. He applied the meditation process that was learnt during his childhood- the ‘In-and-out Breathing’. To intensify of his concentration, he entered into the second, third and fourth stages where he passed through the realms of meditation, his mind was cleansed of impurities.

Lord Buddha with his a composed mind recollected his past births and saw himself with different forms of animals, birds and insects. He could recollect that he went through the various sufferings. Due his recollection of the pasts, he had been hovering for so long. He closed eyes under the Fig tree; he attained the Nirvana – the Supreme Enlightenment. At the age of 35, so called Gautama become Buddha – the Enlightened One.

He traveled all over the world to preach Buddhism. After attaining enlightenment, Lord Buddha ascended to heaven on the 15^th day of the 6^th month of the lunar calendar to preach to his mother. His mother was reborn as a Deva in the Trayastrimsha heaven which is presided over by the Brahmanical god, Indra. When Buddha was preaching the Abhidharma to his mother along with gods and goddesses in Trayastrimsha heaven, the people on earth were worried because they did not know where Buddha was. They did not see Buddha in the earth.

Then, the Buddha’s disciple, the Sharibu, had a vision of the Lord to be in heaven. Following the request of all the devotees, another disciple of Lord Buddha, Maogyel Gebu, who was known to possess miraculous powers, ascended to heaven on the 15^th day of the 9^th month of the lunar calendar and requested Buddha to return to earth. After three months of teaching in Trayastrimsha, the Buddha decides to return to his disciples and lay followers. His descent from the heaven takes place at Sankashya in modern Uttar Pradesh, India on 22^nd day of the 9th month of lunar calendar. The descending day of Lord Buddha is a celebration of his return to earth from heaven to the earth.

There the disciples of Buddha arranged ‘Chipdrel’ for first time to receive and pay tribute to the Lord Buddha.

Teenage Pregnancy

Introduction

Teen pregnancy remains a significant problem in Bhutanese society but there are steps that can help teens take responsibility for their sexual activity and avoid unintended pregnancy. According to my knowledge, 90% of all Bhutanese have sexual intercourse before the age of 20. 1 out of 20 females between the ages of 15 and 19 ends up carrying an unintended pregnancy. Unintended pregnancies fuel an abortion rate that some argue is murder and all agreed emotionally traumatizes all of the parties involved.

Teenage pregnancy is a large and growing problem in Bhutan, today. There are almost a thousand pregnancies of women aged between, 15-19. Some few of those end up with death for the baby, through miscarriage or abortion. The abortion in Bhutan is not famous for young girls. Abortion is unlawful and government does not encourage abortion anyways. That ends up the death of teenage mother for their child, whatever may be. 

Physically, a woman is able to bear a child once she has gone through puberty. However, pregnancy and parenthood can be more emotionally, physically, and financially taxing than expected.

Young Bhutanese teenagers know the importance of life but still they do not stop their misbehavior to avoid teenage pregnancy. The rate of teenage pregnancy is increasing yearly according to Bhutan Living Standard Survey (BLSS) Report 2012, total of 611 teenagers were victim of unintended pregnancy.

The teenage pregnancy was more prominent in urban areas and rural areas due illiteracy. 132 teenagers in urban gave birth to the child and 479 teenagers in rural area gave birth too, which is almost triple than urban.

For example; Giving up a kid, whether to abortion or adoption, is a hard alternative which can lead to many problems. Many times a teenage mother is living at home and must make the choice to tell their parents. In a personal case, the child told the mother that they were pregnant and didn't want to give up the baby. This woman was then kicked out of her house and had to find her own work. She didn't go on to college and doesn't know the father. 

Therefore, our government and other concern authorities like NGOs work hard for the benefit of teenagers. They advertise merits and demerits of teenage pregnancy in broadcasting service like Bhutan Broadcasting Service and even in printed Medias. 

This gives information to the teenagers these days and keeps them informed, but the teenagers in rural and far flung areas do not reach with information. Thus, rural girls get engaged in teenage sex and ultimately ruin their life in unintended pregnancy.

The campaign in BBS and print Medias help reach information and educate teenagers in every respect. The campaign was more involved with trying to use peer pressure and negatives to stop teens from having sex. 

These days, television and social Medias play an important role; the celebrities in television and unanimous users posts photos with several children. They share what is good and they do not share their hardship of being mother. It showed a happy teen on top of the world and had no worries with lots of children.

Pregnancies can be unexpected, resulting, for instance, from the failure of a contraceptive method. However, many teens do not have the facts regarding teenage pregnancy, and instead of asking their doctor, they ask their friends-who can be a tremendous source of misinformation. 

Society benefits from educated and economically productive teens. Teens struggling to handle an unintended pregnancy are less economically productive, their education suffers and their potential is inhibited. The parents of unintended pregnancies often end up on welfare. Society pays costs of welfare and healthcare for parents and children involved with unintended pregnancies. The parents that have unintended pregnancies often had multiple kids and the parents and kids are caught in a welfare cycle.

Limited resources stop their progress causing their social status to remain static, resulting in limited education that produces more unintended pregnancy.

Conclusion

Bhutanese society suffers from teenage pregnancies and other teenage related problems. Haa is one of the smallest districts have highest teenage pregnancy rate – 6.7 percent and followed by Paro – 4.9. Dagana comes third with 3.6 percent and followed by Mongar -3.4 percent. Therefore, teenage pregnancy is more prominent in rural areas when compared to urban areas. However, with education and health the popularizing over the country will help avoid teenage pregnancy.

Historic Doksum Iron Bridge

Doksum Iron Bridge

Doksum is one of the small towns under Trashi Yangtse Dzongkhag. The town consists of numerous shops lined up below District Highway. The people from five or six gewogs visit the town to sell their products and then buy some necessary items for their family. This is how the people of Khamdang, Toetsho, Yalang, Ramjar, Jamkhar, Tongzhang and other parts of Trashi Yangtse engage in buying and selling process. Tens and Hundreds visit the town for various reasons; to buy and sell, to obtain basic services such as internet facilities, postal services and many more.

Doksum is famous for Green chilies. Nearby Doksum, place called Wangringmu is located. Its 15 to 20 minutes walk from town. The people from Ramjar own the land there, where they plants chilies. The chilies are produced in month of May and June. Though, the people describe green chilies as ‘Yangtsep Ema’ but it comes from Doksum.

Once, Doksum town was damaged by falling rocks from above the Road. It damaged number of houses, but luckily the people did not ruin their life. Before more than decades ago, the flood in Bumdeling Gewog gave tension to the people of Doksum. It was truly disheartening situation for the people settled there. After rocks damaged few houses, the shopkeepers and the people shifted their shops and residences to the Khitshang which is located 10 minutes away from town.

The new town plans for Doksum is implemented by District headquarter and the shopkeepers are allotted land in Khitshang to build houses.

Doksum was famous in the history of Bhutan even before. Just behind the town over the Kholong Chu River, there was a bridge adjoins Khamdang and Tongzhang Gewog that plays an important role for the commuters. The commuters use that Bridge for various purposes but it was removed from there by Dzongkhag Administration. The Bridge has got great significant in the history of Bhutan as it was Iron Bridge built by Dupthop Thangthong Gyalpo. When I was young, I saw numbers of Tourists visit Doksum to see Iron Bridge. But now no tourists visit that place.

Why does that Bridge removed? Where do the Iron chains kept? These are the questions that generated within the people of Trashi Yangtse. This issue was raised in Parliament by Khamdang-Ramjar’s Member of Parliament, Sonam D. Dorji. But prior to his concern, no one raised the questions or concern in anyways. Therefore, that Bridge should be re-installed or constructed for the benefit of the people and tourists attractions.

We the people of Trashi Yangtse have deep concern on the Bridge as it was promised by District to reconstruct it, but after decades too, we can't see it again. So, therefore, we expect that bridge should come back to the place where it was before.

Coins and Small Denominations in Bhutan

The coins are used all over the country for the replacement of small denomination in buying and selling. The coins play an important role in markets for convenient usage of small denominations that are hardly exists in paper money. In many countries, the coins are constructed starting from 10 Chetrum to the 10th value. 

The coin has been existed before 1800 in Bhutan which later replaced barter system. The creation of coin was first initiated in 1619 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel after he was offered the silver and gold coins when he preached somewhere in Cooch Behar. He was gifted with Gold coins by Raja of Cooch Behar and also presented with silver coins by local people. He got idea from Cooch Behar and started manufacturing the coins in Bhutan. Then usage of coins got popular in the country. 

These days, in Bhutan, the people do not use coins in buying and selling process. In today’s world of Bhutanese people, they hesitate to use lesser denominations such as coins, 1 ngultrum, etc... They feel ashamed to pay and take back lesser denominations. 

I studied in India for last three years; I have noticed that the people of India use coins for trade and marketing process. During first two to three weeks, I didn’t notice the importance of coins and I just gave freely and didn’t collect 1 to 5 rupees when there was no change. But later I went to same shop to purchase grocery items along with my friends; I had to pay 173 rupees where I didn’t have three rupees. I asked shopkeeper for exemption of Rs. 3, but he didn’t. In few weeks time I left more than Rs. 20 to 30 due to limited change. That was the problem in India but it gave me tremendous knowledge to use coins and small denominations. 

Now, I am back to our motherland the Kingdom of Bhutan, but I feel hesitate and ashamed to use coins and 1 Ngultrum denominations even I lack enough money. When I went around the schools in Bhutan, I saw young generations playing with coins rather than using for productive purposes. 

I have visited numerous religious sites during auspicious days of Bhutanese calendar. There I saw hundreds of people visiting to offer their prayers for benefit of all sentient beings. People there offer money which is of lesser denominations. Some threw money down the cliffs and in the rivers. 

During the funeral, people burn paper money along with dead body. That shows that we Bhutanese have not known the value of money that are thrown down the cliffs, in the Rivers and burned along with dead bodies. Therefore, circulating numbers our small denominations being reduced to the minimal. 

Forget about usage in buying and selling process when people engage in such practices. Thus, I feel more concerned on such practices and therefore, encourage using such denominations far and wide henceforth.

Life - Capricious Chain

The journey of the life starts as soon as we are born in this universe. Universe includes everything in and around us. Before we came on in this universe, we would have struggled more than billions and billions of years in the hell. Today is the result where our fortunate deeds dragged us back to this mother earth.

The heaven and hell is the two terms which fears the people around. But no one has seen, reached or predict how heaven and hell would be. But there is one alternative to predict how much peace and happiness and sufferings would be in heaven and hell respectively. Therefore, religion for me is the best alternative to picture the real scenarios in heaven and hell.

Life after death is either to go to heaven or hell. That's common phenomena for all sentient beings. We have to pass through same path irrespective of posts, rich, poor and etc. That is why avoid “Covetousness, Harmfulness, Wrong-views”. Our mind ought to be well trained. Desires should be avoided as human desires are unlimited. For example, if we drink salty water, our thirst would not be quenched but rather it would increase our thirst. Therefore, our desires are as same as drinking salty water where it would not be fulfilled as long as we die. Therefore, avoid the desires.

We would not able to predict the life series. We would not know what comes next. We would not know what happen after few seconds, minutes and hours, forget about months and years. Every individual likes to be happy and no single person like sadness to overrule them. That is major human desires and unquenchable thirst of life.

Be it rich or poor, have and have-nots, man or woman, boy or girl, etc... But one must pass through same path to get to after-death destination. Our mind should be given training through practicing Dharma. Dharma at the end of the day is treatment for our mind. Therefore, egoistic and self-centered thoughts should be avoided.

Let our life blaze like Butter lamps glowing in the picture. Then that will give true picture how our mind would be.

As and when I mentioned such in above lines, it is not that I am following all the words I mentioned. I just assumed myself but also trying my best.

Prelims drag graduates to monasteries

The graduates of past and present prepares at home hardly. They discussed each other in order to clear up their doubts. They congregated together at one place, raised questions among themselves to keep their knowledge updates for prelim which is scheduled on 11th of this month.

Being born in Mahayana Buddhist country and true Buddhist followers, graduates started visiting monasteries to offer their profound prayers and appeal for blessing from the deities. During these few days time, numerous vehicles ply towards so called Dechenphug which is seat of our Guardian deities Yeshey Gonpo and Pelden Lhamo. Many of them offered and some plans to offer their entreaties expecting good result in return.

Groups of graduates from India plans to visit Dechenphug to seek help for upcoming prelims. Hundreds have already visited and hundreds waits for last minute. I have asked few graduate's opinion about visiting monasteries, they answered that they are seeking help from deities in the temple. "I am going to pay my tribute to the deities for helping me till now and hereafter I want same help too" said one the graduates from India, adding that they protected them when they were in India.

To visit monasteries during needy time is good? To pay our gratitude for helping, protecting from trouble is all due to our deities, so, therefore, we have to seek help at any time. Some few think that deities would help them get good marks without hard work. But some think that deities help person who concern about themselves.

“God helps those who help themselves; god only helps person who studies well rather than being engaged with some other unwanted works" said one of the graduates.

Some are going to re-appear prelims once again this time as they were not satisfied with their result of past. Some graduates work in private and Non Government Organizations (NGO) but still prefer to re-appear prelims for better opportunities in their life.

Some of the graduates work hard for better result and some thinks that they would do next year. Due to ambiguity thinking some given up this year’s prelim. But still more than 3,500 graduates have already registered. Out of these many registered, prelim result would make decision how much graduates would be selected for Main Exam.

Job vacancy in government under RCSC is decreased when compared with last year's when graduates appearing prelims increased by thousands. Why vacancy is decreased from last year? That is crystal clear that unemployment problem in Bhutan would remain constant or same.

Therefore, I wish all graduates do well in prelims and main exam too.

Unemployment – Key Concern Everywhere

Due to sweeping increase in students enrolling in the schools, colleges, institutes and so on, more young Bhutanese reach the level of ‘job hunter’. As soon as they reached the stage when they hold their certificates such as academic transcripts and all, they are eligible to apply for the job vacancies. Vacancy in our country is as low as the youth demanding for the employment.

When government going to intake only 538 graduates this year when there is more than 3500 graduates competing for prelims. It's really heartbreaking circumstances for us. If government take this many graduates, how would unemployment problem be wiped out. When private and corporations strive to recruit person with experiences, how 100% employment would be accomplished. This would be tough project for our Government to wipe out unemployment problem.

Why not Bhutanese youth are willing to take up business? Because, they feel monthly salary would be far better than doing business. They also feel that if business that they own would not do well. Who will bear the loss? That’s only notion for youth, today. Dignity of labor is not truly survived in such a small country.

But we wonder with prelims being scheduled on 11th August, vacancies being announced, criteria for vacancies are listed so, graduates in towns were already disappointed. Graduates of all aspects, Medical, Technical, Arts, Commerce, Science, Business, and others were worried how would 3500 plus graduates be recruited in job when vacancy is only hundreds.

To solve unemployment problems, we the youth must always handle with blue color jobs. Every job hunter roams and lingers in the streets of cities resulting to major social problems. The job hunters apply for jobs in various organizations with great hopes to get employed. But when few vacancies are battled by more than hundreds, some hang around in the city carrying Kidney and Rancho (Scarves) on their shoulders and a file full of academic transcripts and certificates. However, pitiable job seekers have nowhere to go rather hang out in towns and engage in redundant works. They are then forced by situation to come up with group-ism, which leads to societal problems in urban areas.

Graduates of previous years still waits for job, thousands of graduates of this year would also wait for employment, next year it would be double than this year. Then how unemployment problem would be solved? This is major question generated in mind of graduates and others such as classes 10 and 12 and diploma certificate holders.

Therefore, unemployment would remain forever problems in Bhutan with any change. Some few job hunters requested fan pages in face book for employment where it would not be possible. When job hunters wait so long holding certificates, accommodating with their parents, some with relatives and friends in Thimphu. Accommodation in Thimphu would be major concern for all job hunters without parents settled in Thimphu. Until and unless they are employed, they have to accommodate with relatives and friends where they have problem with them.

These problems would remain forever as major concern for job hunters. So, therefore, it would be better to encourage business for job hunters where they can make their living.

Morning Speech by Pema Tashi at School

Good Morning,

Respected Principal, 

Vice Principal, the teachers and all my dear friends,

I am Pema Tashi from 7 ‘C’ would like to share something about “HONESTY”.

Honesty refers to a part of good character and indicates positive and good quality such as truthfulness, and sincerity, including sincerity of behavior, along with the absence of lying, cheating, or theft. In addition, honesty means being trustworthy, faithful, fair, and sincere.

Honesty is valued in many national and religious cultures. From religious point of view, to be honest is considered as the quality of the person. Religion all over the world also discourages and dejects to lie, steal, cheat and, so on.

As saying goes, "Honesty is the best policy", the honesty is best way to rule, plan, etc. Honesty would help person to grow up with punctual for time, and person would not lie, steal, cheat and trick others. However, as used by Thomas Jefferson in a letter to his friend, the "Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom".

Being an honest, truthful, sincere and frank will help develop our knowledge. Being honest would not harm us but relatively it would help us in many ways. Therefore, I would like to tell my dear friends to be honest forever.

Thank you, one and all!  

Sunday for Capital City after PE

Today, capital city was swamped with people wearing Bhutanese attires – Gho and Kira, carrying unfilled file, some pencils, eraser, sharpener and calculator. When Bhutanese youths are in true Bhutanese attires they look superior. I, personally feel like Bhutanese youths are preserving our traditional attires.

Thousands attended the Preliminary Examination (PE), today at various venues. The venues are Motithang HSS, Changangkha MSS, Kelki HSS, Changzamtog LSS, Lungtenzampa MSS, Yangchenphu HSS and Nima HSS.

Procedure for PE

We entered the hall by 9:30am on signing the registered list on entrance door. We calmly waited for while and then followed by instructions from supervisor. Then we are distributed with question paper with different series. We are advised to read for first 15 minutes where we were not allowed to write anything.

As soon as first 15 minutes gone, we are advised to start writing. During first 15 minutes, we are counseled to fill up our details on Optical Mark Reader (OMR) answer sheet imprinting register number and Identity Card Numbers.

Then we started cracking the question that follows. We somehow, endured shading but feel exceptionally excited to battle or to take part. Partaking is the most important for all us because we learned a lot. So, I participate and battled with intelligent and most profound and reflective friends.

I saw hundreds of in-service candidates were with us for the same goal. We were pleased to race with such brilliant and wise in-service candidates. However, I wish all the candidates who all appeared prelims are chosen for Main Exam.

Best wishes for one and all for good and inspiring results.

Boiling Voice - the Prelims, 2013

The Prelims being scheduled on 11^th August, 2013, graduates of all facet runs to the book stores to purchase a copy of Preliminary Examination (PE) reference published by various authors. Few graduates stays clam, roaming in towns or cities all over the country. 

 

The majority of graduates stay in Thimphu accommodating with parents, relatives and friends under goes Bhutan Civil Service Examination (BCSE) Preliminary classes for almost month now. But hundreds are staying idle at home. 

Most of graduates prepare at home keeping three to four types of reference books and samples questions from Indian website www.indiabix.com. Many of them stays connected to the net for almost 24 hours browsing indiabix for further information.

Some few felt that English is really tough subject, some few felt problem solving is though and some few felt data interpretation the most difficult from four sections of the paper. Dzongkha being National Language feels quite easy for most of all. But very few felt quite tough. 

Forget about preparations; let me share some few incidents that were hot issues within graduates in street. The graduates from within country and abroad grouped together. They pin point each other and refers one another as “TOPPER”-2013 prelims. As and when I went in the hotels, restaurants, bars and shops, I found graduates in our national dress carrying Kabneys and some documents. Some few started applying for job. Some started visiting Ministry of Labour and Human Resources for guidance. 

I went to cyber cafe to check my important mails, but all the computers in cyber are filled with graduates applying for registration for coming soon Prelims and National Graduate Orientation (NGO) which is expected to come next. 

I went around and glanced and glimpsed every nook and corner where graduates from within and outside the country are discussing what will happen next after prelims if not selected. Everywhere graduates filled the space. I walked towards Memorial Chorten to circumambulate, there too I found numerous graduates circumambulating the chorten. 

Some groups of graduates congregated together at someone's place to discuss and to share their knowledge. Some few wait for People's Democratic Party's pledges, 100% employment. But to do prelims to get selected for main exam to get better and secure job is vital for every graduates. 

I, myself being one of the candidates waiting to compete for same race, worried how would be this year's questions, how many thousands of graduates will compete for that and how many would be selected for main exam. 

However, I pray to my lord above for blessing to protect all the graduates from uncertain obstacles in between. Success is for all; best of luck to all my graduate friends. Good Luck!