An Extraordinary Spiritual Experience

These unforgettable events determinately remain etched in our memories forever. And it is also such memorable events that give us the much needed smile in reminiscence to believe that we have spent our life meaningfully, be it at least for mere two weeks. One such event was the Pilgrimage to Singye Dzong, the Lion Fortress in Eastern Bhutan, with His Eminence Kyabje Khamtrul Rinpoche Jigme Pema Nyinjadh.

We started our journey on the 31st of October Dochula

2009 from Thimphu with blessings and prayers from Kyabje Rinpoche. We were sixty eight of us in all and an unrivalled number so far for such a large congregation of lay followers on a pilgrimage of this magnitude to Singye Dzong. Memories flashed back to how we envied the more than seven hundred pilgrims who accompanied His Holiness the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa on the “Pad Yatra”. For us, the Pilgrimage to Singye Dzong was our very own miniature version of the “Walking Pilgrimage”.

People receive blessings from H.E.

The first two days we travelled by car to Bumthang and to Lhuntshi. We were astonished by the unexpected turn out of people at every settlement to receive blessings from Rinpoche. As desired by Rinpoche, the pilgrimage was actually designed to be a private affair among the pilgrims but how all these thousands of people came to know mesmerized us. But deep within we felt a sense of satisfaction.

Blessing people on the way

It is seldom that such Boddhisatvas visit these places and the joy we saw in the eyes of the local people were immeasurable on all counts. We were also served tea and lunch by devotees at different points. It touched our deepest sentimental chords when Rinpoche said that he “had the constant prayers and blessings of His Holiness and his predecessors”. We felt our own connection with Rinpoche and rejoiced for our past good deeds that brought us to the company of such holy and genuine master.

On the second of November, on the bequest of His Eminence Gyeltshen Trulku Rinpoche and the people of Minje village under Lhuntshi district, Kyabje Rinpoche administered Tshe Wang (Long Life blessing) and also shared his kind words of wisdom.

As I sat listening to the teaching, a senior nun next to me burst into tears. I could not help myself but join her company. A tear of joy! Everywhere we went Kyabje Rinpoche’s wisdom and humbleness touched us all; be it the pilgrims or any stranger that came across our way. Journey Begins

Now begins the tedious three days walk to Singye Dzong. We start from the village of Khoma on the morning of 3rd November 2009. The sun shone brightly; perhaps to test our determination. After walking for 8-9 hours we reached our first destination of the day, the Khomagang Village of only seven households. I looked up at the sun to say we have stood his test but it had already set, perhaps shied away! The locals in the village happily and warmly welcomed us into their homes. A human quality that we now get to experience only in these remote areas where the ills of modernization and money has not found their way yet and where coexistence and compassion is still a way of life.

The second day, we confounded ourselves that the journey would be easier and shorter but it Seond Day to Singye Dzong

took us the equal amount of time. It was however, a unique and pleasant experience to walk amidst the woods and be thankful for the occasional cool breezes that renewed our energy. The journey was a lesson of its own. Often times, being amidst the luxuries in the towns and cities, we take many things for granted. But when we are thrown amidst this jungle, everything becomes a luxury; be it a gulp of water when you are tired and thirsty or a piece of chocolate. We cherished and savoured with great joy and thankfulness making sure not to leave a bite. I admired Lopen Ala for the merits he accumulated through sharing because almost every time I saw him, he always had something to share. Perhaps he felt pity on my tortured looking face! But he always shared with everyone. Despite all the hardships I always found joy and happiness in Ala and all the monks who were more than happy to be accompanying Rinpoche. I almost envied and felt jealous of them at times.

The third day was the big day. We arrive at Singye Dzong, our destination! On arrival at Singye Dzong, we were greeted by showers of light snow, the first at Singye Dzong this year. This is considered most auspicious in our tradition. A light shower or snow is believed to be showering of flowers by the local deities to welcome a great master or a great soul. Some of our friends who were ahead of us said they saw the snow shower moving with Rinpoche’s entourage!

The next two days would be the most wonderful part of our trip. Lead by His Eminence, we visited H.E.

the eight dzongs; Gawa Dzong, Namkha Dzong, Pema Dzong, Singye Dzong, Duelwa Dzong, Dorji Dzong, Tsemo Dzong, Rinchen Dzong. As we visited the many sacred sites, we cherished the achievement of the masters of the past as well as aspired and prayed to be able to follow their footsteps and rededicate our energies towards practicing compassion and generating positive energy. Together with Rinpoche we dedicated the merits we accumulated through this pilgrimage for the long life of all our Drukpa Masters as well as for the benefit and well being of all sentient beings.

Return Journey

On our way back, Rinpoche and the entourage visited Dungkar Village in Kurtoe, the ancestral home of the Monarchs of Bhutan. Upon the request of the people of Kurtoe, Rinpoche had consented to bestow Tshe Wang (Long Life blessing) to the public of Kurtoe and neighbouring villages.

Unintentionally, our program in Kurtoe coincided with the birthday celebrations of His Majesty the 4th King of Bhutan. A celebration was to take place at the school premise in the morning and the organizers were heartened to learn of Rinpoche’s arrival. They requested Rinpoche to honour the celebrations as the Chief Guest. On the morning of 11th November, Rinpoche was welcomed at the celebrations ground. Rinpoche offered khaddar and prayers at the altar for the Good health and Long Life of His Majesty the 4th King. The students of the school then performed cultural dances.

It was then followed by a visit to Dungkhar Chhoeje Nagtshang, the ancestral palace of Jigme Namgyel, the father of the first King of Bhutan. The entourage was treated to a rare display of the sacred relics dating back to hundreds of years.

In the afternoon Rinpoche administered Tshe Wang (Long Life Blessing) to the public and also reminded the people that they were very lucky to be born in a peaceful country like Bhutan. Rinpoche also advised the people to constantly be mindful of the teachings of the Buddha and also to be mindful of our own actions. Rinpoche said that the true essence of Buddhism is to practice good heart and compassion.

We then organized a Tshok Offering (Ganachakra) and Tangra to dedicate the merits we accumulated through undertaking the pilgrimage.

All throughout the journey we practiced Ngondro in the mornings and Rinpoche gave teaching on the 37 practices of Boddhisatvas in the evenings. Rinpoche constantly reminded the pilgrims that the journey and the experience were more important than the destination. Rinpoche also reminded that the pilgrimage was an opportunity to forget our mundane life and dedicate our two weeks to Dharma and towards benefiting all sentient beings.

And true to our expectations, the pilgrimage was an extraordinary spiritual experience for all the H.E. Khamtrul Rinpoche Jigme Pema Nyinjadh

pilgrims. Despite all the physical hardships, we realized that our mind was always calm. None of us complained. We were in fact enjoying the hardship and the pain. What a transformation! Back in our mundane world, a sore throat or a simple pain in the leg would be a cause of concern and panic.

Being back in Thimphu, we found ourselves lost. For a few days we were alien in our own worlds. The impact of the pilgrimage was so strong that we longed to go back again, far from the hustle and bustle of the mundane world. But nevertheless, I am certain that the pilgrimage transformed our lives in certain ways and this experience will definitely have an impact in leading better and meaningful lives and to contribute towards creating a harmonious community.

We pray that we will be able to do such pilgrimage in future as well.

May the merits generated from this pilgrimage benefit all sentient beings.