Its Full Moon Day but Regrets with Rigshaw Puller….

The golden sun left for worldly rest towards the south and beautiful full moon arise from the east to substitute in this world to give life for physical atmosphere to those who live in this world. This is the day when I realized, the full moon day (Tse Cho-Nga), the especial day in Buddhist calendar. Buddhist people, accumulate virtue by accomplishing good things with every sentient being on this day. And at the same time, if we commit non-virtual actions there is believe that we accumulate more sins on this day. But as far as I am concerned, I accumulate lots of sins through physical gesture and by words with my family and friends. Yet I have not accumulated any virtual actions on this day.

It is true when heart is full the words are limited, but for me this has negative impact because on this special day; “I have hurt you through words and other means”. Therefore, I beg you sorry in the name of Khenchosum, and I would remain better human being in future. This incident was happened when I was coming home after my college hours. I took a Rigshaw from nearby my college till my house which the Rigshaw puller made me annoyed when I replyed for his questions on hiring charges.

Later on the way, I realized about the living standard of those Rigshaw Pullers and their life styles. I came to know their life style with full of hardships and sufferings because just nearby my house along the roads the Rigshaw pullers used to live without food and shelter. In Bhutan, I heard about poverty and hungers in the world but never seen with my necked eyes living with hungers in my country.

It was really painful to learn about those Rigshaw pullers life style, they have come leaving their love ones back at home and they sleep along the road side without any shelters, be it in winter or summer for earning of may be Rs. 50 per day. From early in the morning, without having a cup of tea they start waiting for their riders. They suffer under the heat of the sun with sweat all over the body. This is what I see physically but who know mentally how much they suffer. Simultaneously they suffer in cold without having warm cloth to wear and no proper place to sleep, they sleep hanging on Rigshaws. Along the road side, I saw these Rigshaw pullers eating single meal for the day with piece of bread with potato.

 It is my promise on this especial day, I would at least limit on hurting others by any means because it’s really painful when we see the reality of their life.

Student Life in ILCS, Simtokha from 1996-2007

One of the memorable times in my life was being a student in Institute of Language and culture studies, (ILCS) Simtokha, since from 1996 to 2007. It was memorable to me not because of the location and other facilities in the institute but because of blessings of great masters in the institute the nectars of novel wisdom that I received from my beloved teachers. The memory date back about the life in ILCS, Simtokha, is an opportunity in my life and memory still remains in my heart like a golden paintings in the temples.    

ILCS has the blessings of happiness with its natural atmosphere as institute has its history date back in 1961 when it was established under the auspices of the late third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. During the establishment of institute His Holiness the late Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche (1910-91), an accomplished and spiritual leader, was the first principal of the Lobdra (1961-63). From there onwards, Rinpoche Gyelwa Nima, Rinpoche Norbu Wangchuk and many other great masters were the principal of the Lobdra and it remained largely influenced by the monastic system of education till 1997. I studied Buddhist texts and cultural ethics under spiritual teachings by Khenpos and Lamas like monks and nuns in the Dzong. But it sense now when I realised about the value of this life and human being as a whole.

In 1997, the institute was formally upgraded to the Institute of Language and Culture Studies and implemented a new curriculum during the tenure of Principal Singye Namgyal. And in 1999, ILCS initiated the three-year bachelor’s program in ‘Language and Culture’ which was established to produce modern man with traditional knowledge. After the establishment of the Royal University of Bhutan (RUB), ILCS was the founding member of the Royal University of Bhutan. This has more concepts on modern education system and I personally felt some of the Buddhist values have been vanished yet I found more important to establish such system with the change of time. These were some systematic changes that I observed during my stay in ILCS, Simtokha.   

Till my 10^th standard, I studied more on Buddhist text books and culture aspects. During that time, I studied Ways of Boddhisattawas, Nyen-Ngag, Choeked-Grammars Dzongkha Grammar, Buddhist Literature, Buddhist teachings, English and etc. And on cultural aspect like Bhutanese Mask dance, Music, Paintings and etc were electives. But from my 11^th standard, the study modules has been changed we had to study with modern concepts on those subjects with help of my teachers, we had to do assignments, attend lectures, presentation and group works according to the new curriculum. But still with professional teachers and guiding seniors I learnt to be a good student. Though we blame about the academic infrastructures, learning environment, and other facilities but it produces numbers of good students so far and I am really proud to be the alumni of ILCS, Simtokha.

The Phayul Phendey Tshokpa

The remote village under Mongar Dzongkhag, Ganglapong is situated about 3 hours walk from the road point. The village is ignorant of modern development and infrastructure, beside safe drinking water, establishment of primary school and health care centre. The access to road and electricity are yet approached but these will be fulfilled once recommend with the political leaders. But the sad thing in the village was, without religious institution to cater the matters related to household rituals and other community rituals to be performed according to our traditions, culture and customs. After thorough discussions amongst the members of this Tshokpa found that most crucial necessary at the moment was to establish the religious institution in the village.  

The young aspirants from the village, comprising of five working members in 2010 was formed with the intention in boosting the funds. Accordingly the terms of reference was drafted to bring the plan under control with professional and transparency policy among the members. This plan was supported by many of the members by cash and kind. As I was also the one of working committee member with the Tshokpa and I had a good time working with my friends.

 In the mean time, we approached His Holiness Kathok Sithu Rinpoche in Boi-Langdrak for the request of a lama for our village. The Rinpoche suggested Lama Chime Tenzin, who was formerly completed his process of meditations and other related Buddhist studies. We accepted Rinpoches kind words and lama Chime Tenzin was formerly appointed for village lama of Ganglapong with Tashi Kadar from His Holiness Kathok Sithu Rinpoche on the auspicious day.

After the ceremony at Boi- Langdrak, we proceed to Ganglapong and we have celebrated the Thri-Nga-Soel in the village with village people. But misfortune to all the member was that we were not able to continue with our plan of constructing new Lhakhang due to some problems occurred with the land transitions.

Still I am very much happy and appreciated with Dasho Karma Tshephel and Lama Chime Tenzin for taking good initiatives on re-construction of our Tshukla-Lhakhang. I wish success in rebuilding of Tshuk-Lhakhang.

First day in Faculty of Law

Faculty of Law, under University of Delhi, was established in 1924, is well known as one of the best law colleges not in India but also in Asia. The strong infrastructure, qualitative teaching, revised case materials, regular research, excellent library, moot court competitions, campus placements, regular conference are some features which makes the Faculty the centre of excellence.

The aforesaid qualities of the Faculty was reflected in the prospectus of the Faculty and we expect the same quality but things are different as joining the Campus Law Centre. But still during the first day in the campus we were guided by professors and seniors as fresher’s were treated more friendly in the in the campus with many reasons which I will share with you in the course of time. The campus was filled up with help desks set up by seniors of the college. They help us fill up the forms and guide us during our admission procedures.

After completing all the admission formalities, we were asked to join the college by 26^th July 2012, for regular classes. My friend Kinley Gyelthen and I joined our class for first time and it was Family Law class. We were scold by Professor Madhu as we were late in the class and while our friends were introducing themselves, we were left behind. But later Professor Madhu openly said in the class that two of us were the best students of that class which made our friends annoyed for not treating equal.

It is worth mentioning here about the teaching and learning of Indian laws and international as well with intelligent Professors and brilliant seniors. But sad thing is that college buildings, other infrastructures and surroundings are not in the standard of international level. Still our library is one of the best and biggest in India and it has over one lakh books including law reports journals.  

Train Journey from NJP to New Delhi

We had a fear in our mind of unfriendly people around the area before we depart but our driver was not that type. He made our journey memorable with Nepalese and Hindi music which has soothing melody to our ailing mind, after departing from our dearest one in Bhutan. He took us to the Bhutanese friendly restaurant where we had delicious food and pan from the pan shop nearby. But it was a tiring journey through the portholes and bumping road from Jaigoan to NJP. My friend Yangchen, hardly talk with me on that day and reasons being she was not feeling well physically and mentally because leaving her love ones.

 

It was 7:00 AM when we boarded on an Indian taxi from Jaigoan and by 11:00 we reached at New Jalpaiguri train station. The platform of the train station was full of noises and people were moving here and there with their own destinations and belongings. I said to Yangchen; still we have to wait for two hours as our train leaves only by 1:00 PM. We were waiting passionately for our train under the heat of sun and dirty smell of the surroundings. Interesting thing that we observed during that short period of time around the train station was; the children around the area were all consuming drugs. They were without slippers and shirts but with a brooms and plastics that they have collected to sell in the disposing agent. But the sad thing is that, those children were with plastic of dendrite and consuming without thinking of their life and future. I could not imagine their life because they were seems to be ruined and left out by their parents. Some were sleeping on the road side and some were on the steps.

 

In the mean time, the sound of our arriving train made us rush inside the train and boarded in our apartment. Yangchen was still not well she slept after having lunch in the train. I took out my laptop and started watching a Bhutanese movie called Yuegi Bu. I cried alone because the story has some connections with my personal life. It was all most 9: 00 PM and the waiter came with dinner but my friend Yangchen refused to eat. But we had our apartment mate who was a couple from Assam. Yangchen and myself were surprised to notice the couple eating with so many enjoyments as if they were competing with someone else. But I realized later, they were enjoying their Indian foods and they were traveling together (I mean the couple) which made their journey happy. The irony is that we were traveling alone leaving all our dearest one back home. The train moves on its speed until the next day till we reach the New Delhi Railway station.

GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS AND BHUTANESE LAW

In the late 1980s, His Majesty King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth king of the Royal kingdom of Bhutan, propounded a unique concept called Gross National Happiness (GNH). The concept of GNH is distinctively Bhutanese and new in the conventional theories in development of economics.

The concept has its root in the Buddhist traditions that human sufferings can be avoided by the adequate provision of satisfaction of four necessities: food, shelter, clothing and medicine. Moreover, it has the philosophical concept on middle path approach on material and immaterial things with spiritual value. This concept has same root in Bhutanese law as well. The Bhutanese laws has its origin from the Lord Buddha’s time on basic principles of monks and nuns of the time had followed. The laws enacted during the Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s time are based on the doctrine of sixteen virtuous acts and sixteen pious acts and this leads sixteen codes or laws under Buddhism which consequently have some provision in Thrimzhung Chenmo of Bhutan, 1953.

The GNH has its four pillars with holistic in terms of approach and it relates the focus of the development of the country to the fulfillment of the aspirations of all the nationals of the country.  In doing so, the promoting and preserving of our rich culture which has dangers of vanishing in future providing the changing of time. This philosophy is enshrined in Article 4 of our constitution wherein it has the sub Articles of preservation, promotion and protection of our culture which includes spiritual values and customs of our society. This involves meeting spiritual and emotional needs, maintaining distinctive Bhutanese identity, and cushioning from negative impacts of modernization.

The one most important pillar of GNH is to ensure the development choices embody the principle of environmental sustainability and do not impair the biological productivity and diversity of the natural environment. To this end the Constitution of Bhutan has the principle of conservation, promotion and preservation of our pristine environment enshrined in Article 5 of our constitution with five sub provisions.

The good governance policy of GNH has been also covered in Article 20 of Constitution which deals with Executive with 8 sub Articles and Article 21 of Constitution deals with Judiciary. The Article 10, 11 and 12 of Constitution deals about parliament of Bhutan, which consisting of the National Council and National Assembly. It covers development of national institutions of human resources and system of governance in ways that enable us to reduce our dependence on others.


The forth pillar of the GNH is to ensure equitable socio economic development and in ways promotes social harmony, stability and unity and contributes to the development of a just and compassionate society. The above philosophy is enshrine in Article 14 of our Constitution and and Article 9 of our Constitution. There are so many ingredients and essential relationship between the policies of our government and our laws which ultimately helps in ensuring the happiness to every citizen of this country.     

Kuenga Rabten Palace

                                                     Kuenga Rabten Palace

Kuenga Rabten Palace is situated 18 kilometers away from Trongsa town, along the Trongsa-Zhemgang highway. Kuenga Rabten Palace used to be the winter residence of the second King, Jigme Wangchuck. Now, it is the residence of around 100 little monks of Trongsa monastic body where they study religious text, prayers and rituals in primary modules of monastery educations of Drukpa kayud.

It was during my visit to Institute of Language of Culture Studies, Taktse, for my personal works, I got an opportunity to spend a night in the Palace. It was my life time opportunity that I got to hold a night in the Ashi’s Zimchu, the personal Royal bed room of Ashi Phuntsho Choden, which is currently used by lama, the principal of the Lobdra. I personally felt proud of myself; when my cousin took me there in the palace.

However, after visiting the palace, I came to realise the rapid development of our country, especially when I visited the royal toilet, I saw a wooden made toilet port and wooden made washing basin. Now, we hardly see these kinds in rural areas, forget about town area. Within the short period of time, our country has underwent development in many area, not only human value but physical structures and many more.

Thun pa puen zhe, The Four Friends in Delhi University

Thuenpa Puenzhi in Action with Annimal symbol

It was my ambition to study law since after the selection of Royal Civil Servant Common Examination in 2008 as Government promised us to send to pursue LLB after PGDNL course in RIM in Simtokha. This dream came in reality only in 2011 after novel initaitives taken by Office of the Attorney Geneal.

    

Before coming to study law in India, there was a onetime selection interview amongst the two batches of non law background (the para legal) officers. In totally of 36 candidates only 10 were selected for the financial year 2012, but rest of them are also promised to send in the following years by RCSC.

After the selection interview was done, we have started searching and browsing of our college in India, because our funding source is from Government of India and we are supposed to go to India for our studies. We have struggled for our admission and we were almost giving up all. But with the blessing fo Khenchosum and with the guidance of our Dasho Phuntsho Wangdi, Attorney General of Bhutan and Justice Dasho Rinzin Penjore, we are now here in this college. We will remember and cherished your kind help and we wish you happy and prosperous life.  

In the mean time, six of our friends have opted to study in ILS, in Pune and they got admission there. But we opted to study in Delhi, because its more closer to our country said one of my friend Yangchen.  Finally we got our admission in Faculty of Law under Delhi University, one of the second ranging law college in India and best law college in South Asia. We were satisfied with our admission to this college and we prepared to leave for the studies in India by July 2012.

In our group, Kinley Gyeltshen, Namgay Rinchen, Yangchen Lhamo and myself which makes (thunpa puen zhe) the four friends according to Buddhist culture. The life in India is different than in Bhutan, here we have to be more cautious and more intelligent with our new friends, new environment and new atmosphere. It is interesting to mention here about how we missed our home when we first joined the college. I used to sleep on the terrace of the building counting the stars and days and in the mean time I used to miss my meals. My friend Namgay and Yangchen used to visit the internet café everyday once for around two to three hours to meet friends and family back home.

But gradually we are adopted to those situations and now we are more concerned with our studies though it is challenging in terms of teaching style and other issues. The most challenge we face here is the rapid change of climate made our stay here difficult to study. Still we are trying our best to nurture and cultivate the nectar of Indian laws and international laws of our times.

My first day on Blog

It was on Saturday, 20th October 2012, around 8:30 PM, when I picked up to create a simple blog page of mine to keep myself updated on daily issues relating to social, political, legal and other emerging issues around the world.

This blog page is created for the academic discussions among my friends and scholors around the world to create forums on legal matters, like legal reforms and legal developments in and around the world. The other reasons to create this blog page is to benefit myself through learning by writing on this page on different issues. Because when we write something on the page, we develop writing skills, and when we read something, we develop reading skills. This is the advantage of being law students because mere book knowledge is not sufficient.

In this world, the modernization effect on human being with various forms of technologies is an encouraging moment for us to take an advantage, because we can learn, share our thoughts, copy others ways, and keep everything on finger tips through blog page like this.

This is my first time on this page and I would like to write something about myself because you may not know who I am and where I am from. My name is Kinley Tshering, a simple civil servant, working under Office of the Attorney General, Thimphu. I did my graduation in BA Language and Culture from Institute of language and Culture Studies, Simtokha, under Royal University of Bhutan. After that, I went for Postgraduate Diploma in National Law (PGDNL) from Royal Institute of Management, Thimhpu, in year 2009. Currently I am pursuing Bachelor of Law (LLB) in Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, under University of Delhi.

Most probably, I would like to write on legal and religious issues, but you may find mistakes which I would like to apologies from the begin itself. As you know human beings are bound to make mistake and it is the nature of human conduct to commit mistake.