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.