Faith and volunteerism unite in Gelephu Mindfulness City, where over 3,000 devotees of Pedling Yabsey Sum have gathered. They are taking part in a four-day volunteer programme ahead of the Kurukulee Centre ground-breaking, which will be held this Friday.
The programme began today with the offering of sang and the recitation of prayers. These mark the start of a series of volunteer activities leading up to the ground-breaking ceremony for the Kurukulee Centre. The centre is one of the major spiritual projects in GMC.
The volunteer initiative is being led by three eminent spiritual leaders of the Pedling tradition, Gangteng Trulku Rinpoche, Sungtrul Rinpoche, and Thuksey Rinpoche. These rinpoches are revered asthe embodiment of the body, speech and mind of the Pedling lineage.
Thousands of devotees, including monks, nuns, civil servants and farmers from across the country, have come together to contribute their time and labour.
“I came to volunteer for GMC because it benefits not only future generations but also contributes to the development of our country,” said Dorji Wangchuk, a volunteer from Monggar.
“I see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in such meaningful volunteer work. If I fail to do this, it would be the biggest regret of my life. With the guidance of Rinpoche and the Pedling Dratshang, I am grateful to contribute and am very happy to be part of this important event,” said Phub Dorji, a volunteer from Haa.
The work includes site preparation along the road leading to Phulari, starting from the Thromde highway at Tashiling Demkhong, where volunteers will help prepare the area for the plantation of four different seasonal flowering plants.
The four-day volunteer programme is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday.
Karma Wangdi/ Passang Dorji
