In separate statements, the Druk National Congress (Democratic) and the Universal Society of Hinduism have welcomed Thimphu’s initiative to establish first permanent Hindu temple, whose ground-breaking ceremony was conducted on October 10 by His Holiness the Je Khenpo.
Thanking King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Jigme Y. Thinley for the Temple project, Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said “it was a step in the right direction”. “This Temple would fulfill the long felt need of area Hindu community to have a place of worship and gathering of their own,” added Zed.
Meanwhile, Thinley Penjore, now based in Missouri, USA, said that his party was very excited to learn about this new development in Thimphu.
“It is a matter of great sign of government’s recognition through the media that the Buddhist head of Bhutan, Je Khenpo, is used by the regime to do the ground breaking ceremony. While it is highly appreciating that something worth the matter of further strengthening the people – to – people harmonization is on its way, the government’s initiatives without including a Hindu Pandit either from Bhutanese Hindu community or inviting any from India’s Hindu community is a matter that would require to ponder about,” added Thinley.
Zed, who is the President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that all religions should work together for a just and peaceful world. Dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment, he added.
Zed further pointed out that it was important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society and hoped that this new Temple would help in this direction.
Thinley has further stated that the initiative is also a landmark on the part of the Bhutanese regime to have come out with the declaration of their concept that the Buddhism and the Hinduism originated from the same place and have similar principles, which in his words, was overdue since time Hindu religion was in practice in Bhutan.
“It is an opportune moment for every Bhutanese of Hindu community both inside the country and in Diaspora to understand that a gateway to our peaceful approach for real democracy is being opened through the installation of this upcoming landmark in Thimphu,” reads Thinley’s statement.
The construction work for this temple on 2.53-acre government land, which is on the way to the Buddha Dodenma statue, will begin soon and is expected to complete in two years. With Ngultrum 10 million already released by the government; work on basic infrastructure like water, electricity, road, ground-leveling and fencing will begin soon. Cabinet has approved its construction.
Good starting, congratulation to Zed.
By Prem,UK
Govt. now has very tough days going. How long can they last of bearing the pressure of international community in support of the neglected group in Bhutan?
Hope Our new King would stay out of criticism from the international society.
Now,one of the Big challenge in front of him is, how he would address those hundred thousand Bhutanese refugee? Next is, how he would eradicate the concept of ethnic cleansing implemented by his dad (JSW).
Hope you would be the king of people, not only for your Nalungs.
Keep up your good work!
In general we Bhutanese never talk about Nalungs,Nepali,Sharchops.wE BELIEVE IN ONE PEOPLE ON NATION and we have no bar for any individual/caste/creed and religion to enter Monastry/temples in Bhutan.
Now..it is a big question.. how our Bhutanese Hindu society treat our low caste pe0ple like Biswakarma, Bujel, and Darjee in the Hindu Mandir?.
I have witnessed many hindu Puja in Bhutan.. but never seen our Hon’ble Education
Minister shree Thakur Singh Poudel receving Tilak from Pundits.
This temple for the hindus (=indians at war against their master Pakistan) in Thimphu would not be necessary if the hutments in their community with sentimental objects of “arts and crafts” were not polluted and occupied by the Buddhist Shrines. Having diluted the community bond in their habitation, the authorities are opening Acres of space in the capital for Worshipping “Arts and Crafts” in absence of hindu priest is to answer the international community and to damn the blind worshippers to everlasting fire in Hell!
Our so called “Low Caste” people are in a way protected from the filthy hands of the low morale high castes. As such, we take pride in the determination of the honourable Education Minister not receiving Tilak from the hands of the worshippers of arts and crafts, the works of vanity! As such, Karma need not worry about the social differences that give distinct identity and unity of the southerners in that identity dreaded and accused as posing threat to the national solidarity of the Buddhists!!
Definately a positive step towards building social harmony.This also added one brick in building democratic Bhutan, and gave a message against the underlying discrimination to next largest riligious practicinor in Bhutan.
As far as I am concerned, this is the first recognization to hindu religion by state. This is the positive aspect of fifth king. Neverthless, Bhutanese in Diaspora are eagerly waiting for the king how he addresses stateless hundreds of thousands Bhutanese linguishing around the world since eighteen years.Hopefully, this prolonged issue will get a permanent solution in fifth king regime.
It is unfair to say that, this would be first hindu mandir in Bhutan. It needs to be mentioned that,we have hindu mandirs in Samchi(Sivalaya) Mandir in Daifam and other places of Bhutan.The most of the mandirs are as old as Nepali entered into Bhutan.
Dear Yishai..
It is sorry to say that, caste system is still alive in the Lotshampa(nepali) community of Bhutan particularly dominated by cheetri/Bahun in the places of Chirang/Sibsoo bara,Dorokha,Dovan sarbang.
Education Minister Poudel is from low caste.. therefore we have never seen receiving tilak from chetrri bahun paudits/pujaris.
Dear yishai,
How you dare to say that,worshhiping arts & crafts ? Buddhist never pass negative comments against other religions.
You can see minister Thakur singh Frequently attending buddhist religion pujas but never seen in the Hindu pujas in Bhutan.
Dear Karma,
Never mind the presence of caste differences among Lhotsampas that now look only temporary, with its own advantages. A person of capability from any caste is respected and trusted with the confidence of the people as lyonpo Powdyel is. Powdyel originally is not low caste but happened due to intermarriage when such difference was observed rigidly. This is bound to vanish when they pay heed to the doctrines of Yishai that descended from the so called “high caste” but now deserted it, seeking to practice inner truth and value (Nangpai Choe) rather than confiding in outward shows of rituals, formalities and traditions that do not give light of emancipation. This applies equally to the fair looking Buddhists and Buddhism with hierarchies in practice at the present. This is not the Buddhism of the Buddha and is bound to be rejected like the “caste system” among Lhotsampas…
Tashi delek.