I am sorry if I sound unappreciative, but I think this signboard should be removed or changed. I was wondering, what if an illiterate group of pilgrims happens to pass by? Won't this be mistaken for drubchu (holy-water)? This is a possibility that can not be denied as the entire population of our country is not literate. 😬
Found this on the way to Taktshang.
*small things matter*
མི་དབང་རྒྱལ་པོ་མཆོག་ འབྲུག་མི་ཡོངས་ཀྱི་ ཕྱིའི་ལྕགས་རི་དང་ ནང་གི་ནོར་བུ་ཨིན། མི་དབང་མཆོག་གི་འཁྲུངས་སྐར་དུས་ཆེན་ལུ་ བཀྲ་ཤིས་བདེ་ལེགས་ཞུ་དོ་ལགས།
His Majesty the King is the rampart and the precious jewel to all the Bhutanese people. Wishing the happiest birthday to His Majesty, on this very auspicious day. 💛💛💛
ATTENTION!
The De-Suung office will be arranging buses for the students of Samtse College of Education on vacation who registered for the upcoming De-Suung training in the college. The buses will be arranged for those individuals coming from Thimphu/Paro. Registrants coming from other locations must make travel arrangements by themselves.
If you are traveling from Paro/Thimphu, please submit your details from the link below.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR DETAILS
It is sad to know that Changala, the elder brother of Chudrula expired. We would no more see the brothers together, loving and caring for each other.
Whenever I visited Bumthang, seeing them, used to bring me a smile. I have never seen them walking without one being by the side of another. They were the epitome of brotherhood.
Deepest condolences to Chudrula.
May Changala find a better path for being the faithful brother and angelic human.
Om Mani Padme Hum!
Register for the second round of Covid- vaccine. If you registered in the first round, you need not register again.
Click here to register for Covid- vaccine
Let's keep the topic hot. Recently I have been highlighting some issues about AdSense revenue, YouTube Partnership Program, blogging, and some other related topics aligning with the Bhutanese context.
I am sharing the screenshots of my conversation with google support below. When I asked for the reason behind the limitations of the YouTube Partnership Program in some countries, I was told that there is no documented reason as such.
I was advised to give feedback from the YouTube studio about the issue to get reviewed by their engineers.
If I am only the one to give feedback, there is very little chance of bringing the change. Therefore; I urge everyone to collaborate with me to give feedback: mentioning the need for YouTube Partnership Program in Bhutan (or all the countries)
In my previous article, I shared the limitations of AdSense in Bhutan and hopes to fix the same. I also shared that there is a handful of Bhutanese getting paid with AdSense. Are you a Bhutanese who got your site or YouTube channel monetized recently? Or are you planning to do it soon? Do you wonder how someone completes the payouts from AdSense generated from a blog or YouTube channel in Bhutan? Well, let me answer this question briefly. I decided to write this blog for I got a comment on my YouTube video asking for it.
Well, all the local banks in Bhutan (Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan National Bank, Bhutan Development Bank, and Tashi Bank ) can be integrated with the AdSense account. There is no need for international credit or debit cards. You just need a savings account registered with one of the banks. As far as I am concerned, all of the aforementioned banks accept wire transferring of money from other countries. One can receive the amount earned from the blog, YouTube channel, and any other platforms connected with AdSense by wire transfer method.
Once you reach the payout threshold of AdSense (currently $100), they will ask for payout details. All you need to do is submit few required credentials; SWIFT CODE of the bank, and account number, and physical address.
So, there is NO problem in getting paid from AdSense in Bhutan.
Share and reach out to more Bhutanese!
Google AdSense is a program controlled by google to show advertisements on the written content or video content targeted to the audiences. Fractions of money invested by advertisers are paid to content creators (bloggers or YouTubers ). Content creating job pays more than most other jobs but not in Bhutan.
To generate AdSense revenue from YouTube, one has to comply with both the policies of YouTube and AdSense. Google AdSense does not restrict Bhutanese to monetize with advertisements. However, the YouTube policy restricts Bhutan (and few other countries) from YouTube Partnership Program.
Chablop Passu, a renowned blogger from Bhutan, recently highlighted the challenge faced by aspiring YouTubers of Bhutan in his blog, 'Passu Diary'. "How odd is it that some ignorant tech guys had deprived us of our sovereignty for a long time? Sometimes, I doubt their intentions. How could a big tech company not know that Bhutan is a sovereign country?" he questioned in his article titled ' Digital Sovereignty of Bhutan'. He concluded with his suggestion and opinion to fix the issue. Find the full article on his blog.
Only a handful of Bhutanese makes money from YouTube by borrowing locations. For example, PindaPanda (Pinda Rika Dorji) a gamer and content creator is Bhutanese residing in Malaysia. Few others are residing in Bhutan but changing the locations to apply for YouTube Partnership Program.
It is sometimes frustrating but has no option at the individual level. Have to accept with big hope for fixing the issue soon. Meanwhile, more Bhutanese should work harder to learn content creation. What if YouTube accepts Bhutan for their Partnership Program next year or a few years from now? The content-creating skills will be so useful at that time. Social capital gained now will be more useful.
The GOOD NEWS is, Bhutanese can earn via AdSense from blog sites. One can monetize blog sites from blogger.com, WordPress, google sites, and so on. Some of the monetized blog sites from Bhutan are; Passu Diary, Pelden's Diary, loteyom.com, and this blog as well. So, we still have a way to generate revenue with AdSense.
Let us hope for fixing things and solving most of the unemployment problems in our country by content creating jobs.
Today (18th June 2022) is the 61st birth anniversary of Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpochoe. On this important day, let us join to pray for Rinpochoe's good health and longevity. May Rinpochoe continue to bless us and guide us by turning the wheel of dharma.
Happiest Birthday La, Rinpochoe!
For the first time, I tasted Himalayan Chips, made in Bhutan potato chips. The taste is good and far better than I expected. It's neither about promoting junk food nor about supporting someone I know. I have no relation with the people behind the business. Based on the following two reasons I am sharing this product :
1. It tastes better to other chips of its kind
2. I believe in supporting Bhutanese by Bhutanese
Marked on the 10th day of the 3rd month on the lunar calendar, every year, Zhabdrung Kuchoe (the death anniversary of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal ) is one of the most important days for Bhutanese.
On arrival to Bhutan from Tibet in 1616, Zhabdrung unified the regions of the country together and named 'Druk'. Thus, he is referred to as the founder of Druk, Bhutan. In 1651, he passed away. To pay homage and respect to the FOUNDER, Bhutanese mark the day of Zhabdrung Kuchoe every year.
Today, on 1st April 2021, Yeshi Lhendup Films, YouTube channel hit 100,000 subscribers. This is a big achievement for Mr. Yeshi Lhendup a young talented owner of the channel. Getting 100,000 subscribers means that his channel is eligible for a silver play button gift from YouTube.
He is the second Bhutanese to surpass 100,000 subscribers on YouTube. First was Pinda Rika Dorji, aka Pinda Panda. He is the first Bhutanese entertainment channel to get that many subscribers. Pinda's channel is for eSports.
His achievement should be appreciated and shared among all Bhutanese, especially to youths. This is the best example of creating jobs by own. He is doing his full job as a content creator. He really is an inspiration for younger ones.
Great work Yeshi
Hearty Congratulations!
Bravo!
Majesty The King began a Royal Tour of the east, arriving in Mongar yesterday accompanied by Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen and Their Royal Highnesses Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel and Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck.
This morning, the first COVID-19 vaccination in Mongar Dzongkhag was administered in the presence of His Majesty The King, at Mongar Dzong. In accordance with the astrological recommendations to start inoculations with a 30-year old woman born in the monkey year, Karma Pema Wangmo became the first person to receive the vaccine in the Dzongkhag.
His Majesty also visited Mongar High School, which is one of the several vaccination centers in the dzongkhag, and met with those administering and receiving the vaccination.
His Majesty said to those gathered that while the vaccine will be beneficial in protecting us during the pandemic, we need to continue to follow safety protocols diligently as a portion of the population, including children and pregnant or breastfeeding women, remain unvaccinated.
His Majesty The King will be in the east for the duration of the nationwide vaccination program.
As the people of Bhutan pray for the success of the vaccination campaign during this important time, the Royal Visit is doubly significant for being His Royal Highness Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck’s first visit to the east.
The Prime Minister just received the COVID-19 vaccination at this quarantine centre, following the first auspicious inoculation at Lungtenzampa.
In his second day of quarantine, special arrangements were made to ensure that the protocols were strictly adhered to while he received the vaccine.
The prime minister walked from his room to the vaccination spot and received his jab. Sharing a few words, he sent prayers to people in the 205 gewogs, 20 districts and the entire nation saying this is the time to come forward and protect oneself as well as the nation from the disease.
Prime minister will come live on BBS after 7pm news tonight.
Source : Prime Minister's Facebook Page
Ninda Dem 30, from Paro, got the covid vaccine. She is the first Bhutanese to get the covid vaccine. Happy to share some photos of Ninda getting vaccinated.
Source: Ministry of Health
Ninda Dem, 30, from Paro. She will be the first person to receive COVID vaccine at 9AM tomorrow at Lungtenzampa MSS, Thimphu. The prime mister, Dasho Dr. Lotay Tshering to be the second person.
The acronym of extraordinary. qualities of Bhutanese people - Sincerity, Mindfulness, Astuteness, Resilience, and Timelessness, is SMART.
Today is the special occasion, the first birth anniversary of His Royal Highness, the Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck.
On this joyous occasion, I join the nation in wishing His Royal Highness a very happy birth anniversary.
Prayers for the longevity and good health of our Royal Family.
Chimi Lhakhang in Punakha in the pale light of a summer evening is a thing of otherworldly beauty. Along the quiet turquoise-green Punatsangchhu, past the roiling Toebi Rongchhu, there are nyes (sacred religious sites). Alas, nature has reclaimed these sites entirely.
Figure 1: Chimi Lhakhang
A yogi, scantily clad and heavily bearded, closed his eyes and shot a random arrow from Yamdrok in Tibet to see where it would land. And there he would go, wherever his shaft lands, straying along to find his destiny.
But then, there were women and wine of the finest quality to be relished non-stop. The highly realized and celebrated saint, born of the noble Gya clan, who had long parted with a sense of shame and puerility of the age, put off the plan to go after his wayward arrow for a while, and went to bed.
Imprints of fish on the rock
That was some 500 years ago from today.
As the morning sun rose from behind the snow-clad mountains, yellow as the tint of pure gold, the yogi jumped out of the bed and disappeared. From Phari in Tibet to Paro in Bhutan, he walked, looking for the arrow.
In Toep Chandhana in Punakha, Bumo Pelzang Buthri, on whose doorstep the Yogi’s wayward arrow landed, there was an unusual commotion, a hue, and a cry. By then, Lama Drukpa Kunley had arrived at Paro, looking for the arrow he let loose from Yamdrok, subduing bloodthirsty fiends and man-eating demons along the way.
Figure 2: Toep Chandhana Lhakhang
It was a bright day when he arrived at Bumo Pelzang Buthri’s at Toep Chandana. He took out his massive member and peed on the wall. The hugeness of his fire-spitting wisdom thunderbolt had the children stunned with utter shock.
And then the yogi gazed up and made to the upper chamber of the house. The mark that his arrow had left on the wooden stairs to the third floor was wide and fresh. Once inside, he caught hold of Bumo Pelzang Buthri by the neck on the floor, his pants down and her skirt all up. Toep Tshewang, Bumo Pelzang Buthri’s husband, rushed forth with a sword in his hand. Before long, however, Drukpa Kunley had the sword by his right hand and twisted it into a knot.
Holding the knotted sword still and ramming the young and beautiful Pelzang Buthri all the while hard on the floor of Toep Tshewang’s altar, pronounced the crazy yogi from Ralung of the Gya clan thusly:
Toep Tsewang of Wang Silung loves truth
And I his sexy and bewitching wife
And here, the lovers meet for truth and lust
Toep Tshewang stood there for a good while aghast, and then turned away, feeling helpless and utterly ashamed. Knowing that the yogi was no ordinary monk, Toep Tshewang surrendered his young wife to the crazy yogi immediately and his soul to dharma eternally.
Wooden stairs on which Drukpa Kunley’s arrow landed
From that love between the crazy yogi and Bumo Pelzang Buthri was born Sangdak Gartoen, great-grandfather of fourth Druk Desi Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgay.
Thus, the legend of one of the greatest Drukpa yogis spread throughout Bhutan. The people of the southern country of Mon were then terrorized by man-eating demons. Bringing the demoness of Dochula down to where Chimi Lhakhang stands today, Lama Drukpa Kunley had her subdued for eternity under a black chorten.
But the crazy yogi needed more young girls and wine. He took myriad consorts in Bhutan – Zhungzi Ashi Gyenzo, Pache Namkha Dem, Babi Bum Chenzom, Goentoe Samey Andzo, and Bumo Pelzang Buthri.
However, jealously sparked between women and demoness alike, because of Lama Drukpa Kunley’s massive fire-spitting wisdom thunderbolt. Aum Choekim, a demoness near Chimi lhakhang, turn herself to a fearsome frame and attacked the lama when he was coming down the small trail along the Teobi Rongchu. She was all nude, her hair down in Punatsangchu, her left leg on the ridge where Chimi lhakhang is today, and the other on the ridge opposite.
“Is it your ignorance that brought you here, or it is your death that you are seeking?” shouted Aum Choekim, lips of her massive dreadlocked vagina flapping in the air. Drukpa Kunley had his fire-spitting wisdom thunderbolt by his right and caught Aum Choekim by his left hand and subdued her to eternal silence.
Now covered with thick overgrowth, the old highway that connected Wangdue to Punakha has to be bushwhacked to find a path. It was this path that the crazy yogi Drukpa Kunley used to hunt the demons along the Punatsangchhu. And along this forgotten trail are many nyes related to Lama Drukpa Kunley.
First, there is uzha (hat) under a tree. It is massive. One is left to wonder what kind of a giant the yogi was. And, of course, the imprints of his fire-spitting wisdom thunderbolt, here and there. They are so huge even municipal corporations of this day have not been able to build sewers of that size.
Statue of Aum Choekim in Chimi Lhakhang
As Aum Choekim turned to a fish and disappeared into Punatsangchhu, Drukpa Kunley caught her by the tail and slammed her onto a giant rock. The imprint of the fish is there, curved deep and vivid. And there is Drukpa Kunley’s pot, a hole in a rock. When a stone is thrown into it, there is a metallic sound.
There is the rock on which Lama Drukpa Kunley rested in pain, pointing his fire-spitting wisdom thunderbolt to Tsho Bangko in Punatsangchhu, from where he expected a demoness to come to attack him. Drukpa Kunley had a huge penis indeed.
Phalluses galore on the walls en route to Chimi Lhakhang
But the demoness did not turn up. Drukpa Kunley sent a message to Draphu Martika in Nepal where Guru Rinpoche was giving the blessing of long life. He asked Guru to send a tshechu (holy water of long life). Guru hurled the water from Martika.
There, unseen during summer the water level rises but seen during winter is tshechu pouring down from rock project in the shape of a penis and a vagina.
From here, Drukpa Kunley went towards Samdingkha, where he has left him fingerprints and a golden urn, among others.
When his brother Nawang Chogyel left for Tibet, Drukpa Kunley stayed back.
“You go ahead. Good wine and pretty asses of Bhutanese women are holding me back. We’ll meet again soon,” said Drukpa Kunley.
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