Footsteps of the Buddha: Monks from Bhutan on trip to India

Bhutan is known for its Buddhist culture, where people’s lives still revolve around the traditions associated with the religion

The Kolkata airport was awash with red-ochre robes as high-ranking monks from the 'Land of the Thunder Dragon' arrived in Kolkata on November 22 on a spiritual and academic tour of India, from where Guru Padmasambhava travelled to teach Buddhism to Bhutan.

The 24-member delegation will visit Buddhist holy sites, the Infosys campus at Hyderabad as well as meet top Indian officials in Delhi.

“It is the duty of every member of the Sangha [Buddhist monastic order] to try to follow in the footsteps of the Buddha,” Venerable Ugen Namgyal, the secretary of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan, told PTI, explaining why the powerful delegation is on a visit to the country.

The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in coordination with the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan has organised the eight-day long trip for the monks who head the Buddhist Sangha in each of the districts in the picturesque Himalayan kingdom, which lies sandwiched between India's West Bengal and China's Tibetan autonomous region.

Bhutan is known for its Buddhist culture, where people’s lives still revolve around the traditions associated with the religion.

Prayer flags fluttering in the wind and chortens (Buddist shrines) in every village are a common sight. The concept of 'Gross National Happiness' as a development model for the kingdom nestled in the high Himalayas too relies in large part on this unique culture.

“We have two giant neighbours on two sides, but with India, we have a wonderful relationship. Buddhism came from this country. Bengal, our immediate neighbour, has strong linkages with us and has contributed to Buddhism in our Kingdom,” said Ven. Namgyal.