Live to Love

The 16th day of December was the day to start the journey to Nepal. All young Bhutanese men and women were gathered at the Phuntsholing monastic institute with their own luggage at the backs. The young people were from different universities across the country such as Sherubtse college, Jigme Namgyal Engineering College, and Royal Thimphu College. We were of sixteen from Royal Thimphu College and in total there were more than seventy young Bhutanese joining the Pad Yadtra to Nepal. 

Before the moment I actually got into a bus, I along with a friend of mine circummambulated the gorgeous monastery for more than eight rounds praying and turning rosary to illuminate  the way lied ahead.

There were five buses from Darjeeling. All our luggage were packed up on each bus by the drivers. All bunch of RTC students were seated in one of the buses. We were joined by the members of Young Volunteer group of H.E. Gyalwa Dokhampa Rinpoche.

Everyone was festooned with smiles of excitement since it was the first time trip to Nepal via bus for most of us.

The buses cruised crossing the land of Sikkim and Darjeeling through plains and grooves of trees. By that evening, we were at the immigration office of Nepal. 

Our luggage were shifted to other night buses. We had the first dinner in one of the beautiful restaurants in Kakarbitta. 

The journey resumed. We had to travel almost more than fifteen hours until Kathmandu, our destination.

Each night bus was having free WiFi services, a television and a comfortable seat where we could stretch our limbs and sleep. 

It was the longest journey I had ever travelled in my life by bus. Our group really enjoyed watching movies, chattering, and singing in the bus. As the clock right beside the television blinkered crossing 1:00 am, most of us were in silence, just the sound of engine was rocking. I and my seatmate were only the ones who were continuously chatting and eating snacks while others trying  to sleep and some started snoring. 

I could see dawn thinly through the curtains next to me. My seatmate had already gone into deep sleep. I tried curving my body near her and closed my eyes.

It was almost 10:00 am in the morning when the bus stopped for the brunch. 

The bus swung at its normal pace again. I could see the places outside no different than that of Bhutan. However, the houses and the shops along the road were all dusty. 

By the next hour of journey, we touched the land of Kathmandu. We were dropped to a temple called Drukgeon Sangjay Choling gompa. More than 200 young men and women were gathered from Bhutan, Ladahk, Brazil,Vietnam and Nepal as well. 

We spent a night in the monastery. The next day was to leave for the actual walk. This walk called A walk to support Nepal's Recovery presided by His Eminence Gyalwa Dokhampa initiated basically to moan and pray for the deaths and other victims of 2015 terrible Earthquake in Nepal. 

The first day was just an inauguration led by Rinpoche from his monastery to Swoyambhu. The next day. Everyone was ready with their luggage at their backs including Rinpoche himself.

The 2017 focused region of Nepal was Rasuwa. This region is one of the most deteriorated earthquake zones of the country where there is no road connections and the people are isolated from governmental concerns and urban settings. 

Under Rasuwa region in five different villages, there were hundreds and hundreds of deaths and destructions caused by the earthquakes. The people of that region were left helpless. 

Seven-day walk to this region was worthwhile. Despite the fact of everyone climbing the precarious cliffs, crossing the lofty mountains, sleeping in the tents bearing cold weather, and eating food of fewer choices, we were invited warmly by the people of every village. The people were humble and  have deep devotion to Buddhism. They were always happy to receive guests from afar. Every Pad Yadtri was pleased by their kindness. 

Our mutual promises with Rinpoche, to chant prayers for all wellbeings and not to misconduct until the end of walk had ingrained in the minds of most Padtris even beyond the weeklong program. 

Every morning and evening prayers and all hardships we encountered had encouraged abd enabled us to build a strong sense of tolerance, appreciation, and cooperation. 

It was really an great honored and privileged to walk with benevolent Rinpoche. His glittering smile is our source of happiness, his soft prayers and speeches are our source of inspiration and energy, especially the namthar of Rechungpa, the heart-son of Milarepa. Our deep devotion was based firmly in him undoubtedly. May his dharmic legacies flourish across the globe. May his teachings last until the end of eternity.

All seven days walk was completed with no obstacles as we wished and because of the deep prayers of Rinpoche upon us. By the end of the program, we realised that we were placed in a different runk of our life. I could feel some changes in my mindset. I realised our burning candle-like life in the air is worth to be spent being kind to all sentient beings. I even realised that to be kind to every being on this earth is simply avoiding the consumption of others' flesh and blood and bones. I could realize that we can accomplish what we wish if we have incessant belief and deep devotion to the triple gems. 

The last three day program was all visiting different sacred religious sites and shrines. Nepal is believed to one of the best place blessed by all times of Buddha. We visited the behemoth Boudhanath stupa, Swoyambhunath stupa, Yanglaysheth, Dema Rangchung temple, and so many. 

We departed to own different places taking so many cherishing memories stored in our heads. The experiences I gained was immense. I am deeply grateful to Rinpoche, and other coordinators for the initiative. 

May Rinpoche live long unless all sentient beings attain the realm of enlightenment.