Not so long ago, men of Berti village in Zhemgang were fierce hunters. But after the completion of a new community temple, they have now embraced a new life. Leaving behind their practice of hunting, they have now dedicated themselves to religion.
For the people in Berti, hunting was more than just a way to get food. It was a means for survival as well as to demonstrate their courage and intelligence. But this has now changed.
People gave up hunting as well as fishing when a new community temple was completed in 2019.
“We used to be hunters. It was not only the young ones, but even the elderly would hunt. But now, with the new temple and after the religious address by the Rimpoche, we have stopped this sinful activity. We have promised to practice only good deeds in the village. We attend prayers on auspicious days,” said Namgay, from Berti under Trong Gewog in Zhemgang.
“Now we do not hunt or even kill animals such as pigs and cows as we used to. The Rimpoche, on his last visit to our village, advised us not to do so and we took an oath that we would give up these misdeeds. That’s why our new temple is called Kagdam Khuenzang Chhoiling,” added Zhemba, the Temple Caretaker.
The residents said they can now come to the temple anytime since the new temple is spacious and there is no worry of getting it crowded.
“With the completion of our temple, elderly people like us can come and pray whenever we have time. We now have the opportunity to listen to religious discourses,” said Karma, also from Berti.
The temple was constructed with a budget of around Nu 4.5 M from the government. Although the works were supposed to complete by 2016, budget constraints and other issues delayed the works.
The newly constructed temple has become a centre for religious activities for the 26 households in the community. People now conduct rituals and prayers regularly on auspicious days at the temple.
Pema Samdrup, Zhemgang
