Two hundred students from schools in Pemagatshel and Samdrup Jongkhar are attending a Dharma Camp at the Dungsam Academy in Samdrup Jongkhar.
The camp is organized by the Institute of Science of Mind (ISM) based in Simtokha, Thimphu. The program is supported by the Central Monastic Body.
The day at the camp begins at 6am. Students are given talks on Buddhism and taught various Buddhist practices including meditation among others.
Tenzin Wangchuk, a teacher with the ISM, says the camp is aimed at keeping the students meaningfully engaged during the vacation.
It is also hoped the camp would have positive impacts on the lives of the participants.
“The youths are the future leaders and we hope such programmes would help in shaping them into responsible citizens,” ISM’s Tenzin Wangchuk said.
“I am learning a lot about our culture and religion at the camp,” Kelzang Choden, a student of Yelchen Central School, said.
“The camp has helped me better understand our culture and tradition and the importance of preserving it,” Sangay Wangdi, a student of Karmaling High School, said.
“In school, we study to get jobs, but here we are taught how to tame our mind and ways of enlightenment. We also learned the benefits of prayers,” Tshering Yangzom, a student of Nanglam Central School, said.
The 15-day winter program ends on December 31.
The ISM organizes such camps twice a year. The first Dharma Camp was organized in 2017.
