The first meeting of Head of the National Congregation of the religious organisations was held in Thimphu yesterday. About 160 Heads attended the meeting. During the opening, the Prime Minister, Jigmi Y Thinley said Lams and Heads of the religious organisations or Tshodzins should know their roles and responsibilities.
“The Lams and Head of the religious organisations have done a good job till date by keeping our country a religious nation. Whether in Hindu or Buddhism we have remained as a religious country. But, things are getting changed. So in such a changing world, your responsibility as lams and lopens have to think on keeping our nation a religious country,” reminded the Prime Minister.
The Home and Cultural Affairs Minister, Minjur Dorji, is the Chairperson of the Commission of the Religious Organisation. Lyonpo said the Commission will further facilitate and support the religious organisations in order to benefit religious institutions and protect the spiritual heritage of the country. “The ministry has also sent an official letter to the Dzongkhags to facilitate and render support to the Religious organisations.”
However, some of the participants were not sure in what way they would be benefited after registering with the Commission.
“The Ministry has initiated to form the Commission of the religious organisation but we are not sure whether it will help us or not. Might be in future it may help in sustaining the flow of our religion,” questioned the Tshodzin of Ugyen Phuntshog Choeling Monastery, Tshering Dendup.
“I think it may help us but we are not sure in what ways we will be benefited. We don’t know whether we will have more advantages by registering with the Commission or stay like before,” said Ngawang Thekchog, the teacher of the Bumthang Kharchu Dratshang.
Participants were also briefed about the Religious Organisations Act of Bhutan. The two-day meeting ended today.
Meanwhile, the Bartsham Lam, Kunzang Wangdi, has been re-elected as the member representative from the Nyingma Chhoedey of the religious organisation or Chhoedey Lhentshog today. He will serve for another three years.
Lam Kunzang Wangdi secured 146 votes from the total of 150 members. The members of Chhoedey Lhentshog consist of cabinet ministers appointed by Prime Minister, Tshugla Lopen of the Central Monastic Body, a member from five eminent members of the National Council.
It also has eminent Nuns, Trulkus, Khenpos, Pundits from Hindu Dharmic Samudai, senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Director of Culture as its members.
