Bhutan - Auspicious Days

Throughout the calendar year in Bhutan there are days that are deemed auspicious for Buddhists to gain merit. Visiting and circumabulating the shrine and making prostrations before the statues and images of Buddhas are two ways of respecting this day. While the prostrations may seem like idol worhip to some westerners, in fact, these actions are made in gratitude to the Buddhas for their many virtues and gifts to all beings.

Regarding prostrations and circumambulations:
Prostrations and circumambulations are humble expressions of respect and appreciation for the Buddha, religious teachers and structures. Therefore, in prostrating before the Buddha and circumambulating around any religious structures, we are also reminded of our own Buddha nature. We humbly examine our mind, and renew our vow to remove any obstacles from our mind and life which prevent us from becoming a fully enlightened Buddha.
- Living the Bhutanese Way by Tshering C. Dorji, Rinchen Dorji


I was fortunate in being able to visit two different temples in Thimphu on one of these days. I was more than fortunate in one to be invited by the lama in attendance to come inside the shrine and allowed to take pictures.
The lama in his setting is pictured above.
I also met on that day some very lovely people outside the temples that I would like to introduce you to next.