On this auspicious Choekor Duechen (aka Drub Tshezhi in Bhutan), I decided to practise giving and compassion by offering the money I had budgeted (10k) for religious activities, to Bhutan Stroke Foundation.

Today is celebrated as the First Day of Teaching by Buddha after he attained enlightenment. It is one of the four holiest days of the year in Buddhism. As a lay practitioner, the day is of reflection and practice. I reflected well this morning in my altar room (decided I was doing OK 😜😜😜).

For the practice part, I chose to practise compassion (core teaching in Vajrayana) to help the 130+ post-stroke patients that are currently served by Foundation. I spent the day with some of them who are currently living in the office complex of BSF.

This gesture was inspired by my recent visit to my family lama, Rangshikhar Rimpoche, who impressed on me the practice of loving-kindness (jampa) and compassion (nyingjey) as the supreme practice. This is of course not to discount the pilgrimages and monument buildings. It is just about finding the middle path.

BSF Sunday Networking Market.

On this Day, we opened the first edition of the Sunday Networking Market – a weekly market of organic food, drinks, flowers and networking. This initiative is to help reintegrate the stroke patients into the mainstream economy. We also opened a cafe, run by recovering stroke patients.

Please show support every Sunday by visiting us at the BSF office, and buying the products. The vegetable and fruits are all sourced from villages in Chukha – spearheaded by Sangay Thinley, who works as Economic Development Officer with Chukha Dzongkhag.

May you all be blessed too with good health and happiness.

🙏🙏🙏