Sep 4, 2024 – Thimphu Site Visit, Cabinet Minister Meeting, Bhutan ▶ Sydney
Hello everyone. Today is the last day of Sunim’s visit to Bhutan. He will meet with a cabinet minister to discuss sustainable development projects, then depart Bhutan for Sydney, Australia.
After completing his morning practice and meditation, Sunim had breakfast at 6 AM. At 7 AM (10 AM Korean time), he conducted a live-streamed Weekly Dharma Assembly. Once all the Jungto Society members had entered the video conference room, Sunim greeted them.
“I traveled through Switzerland, Germany, and Türkiye, stopping by the Syrian border area to visit a site where we are rebuilding a school destroyed by the earthquake. Then I went through India and arrived in Bhutan. In Bhutan, we held a three-day workshop on sustainable development. The workshop was attended by gups, tshogpas, and administrative officers who are the lowest-level government administrative personnel and also representatives of residents responsible for future village development. You can think of them as similar to village heads or township mayors in Korea.
Through the workshop, we had time to discuss various topics such as what sustainable development is, how to develop villages, and what attitude to take. Although we’ve talked about many things before, we could only discuss them partially due to time constraints. However, in this workshop, we had enough time to talk comprehensively about why we want to do this work and how we should do it. Since the most important aspect of sustainable development is the voluntary and independent participation of residents, we also took time for the residents themselves to check what is needed one by one and plan how to carry out each project in the future.
I’d like to briefly share with you the scenes from my visit to the earthquake-affected areas in Türkiye-Syria and the JTS workshop I conducted in Bhutan.”
Then, we watched a video showing Sunim’s visit to the earthquake recovery site in Türkiye-Syria and the JTS workshop he conducted in Bhutan last week.
After watching the video, Sunim shared a few words.
“The message I convey to you, to the Syrian people, and to the Bhutanese people is fundamentally the same. The core idea is that I must make my own life happy. It’s not right to torment myself, blame others, and ask them for help. We should take the initiative in our village affairs. We should take the initiative in our country’s affairs. When we lack the strength, we can ask for help from other people or other countries.
There’s an old saying, ‘Heaven helps those who help themselves.’ Similarly, you should no longer blame others or rationalize your suffering. You must decide how to live your life in your current situation. You must become the master of your own life. This is an eternal truth. Buddha said this 2,600 years ago, and subsequent patriarchs have said the same. Therefore, whether it’s domestic issues, international issues, climate crisis issues, or any other problem, we need to solve problems one by one from the perspective of ‘What will I do?’ and ‘What will we do?’ This is practice, and it can be said to be the vow to save all sentient beings.
The activities you just saw in the video all correspond to the vows of Jungto practitioners, so these activities should all become your vows. That’s why I want to share and discuss these with you.”
Then, those who had requested questions in advance had a conversation with Sunim. Over the course of an hour, a total of four people asked Sunim questions. One of them had been working as a cartoonist but felt constantly anxious due to unstable economic income and sought Sunim’s advice on how to continue their practice.
My Economic Income Is Unstable, So My Mind Is Always Anxious
If you want to draw cartoons, you can draw cartoons and eat less. If you really have no food, you can ask Jungto Society for help, and we will send you food. If you request clothes, we will send you clothes from the recycling center. In reality, your psychological anxiety is not due to not having a job or having unstable income. This is because your current life is ten times more affluent compared to the Syrian refugees or rural people in Bhutan I’ve met. I tell the Syrian refugees and rural people in Bhutan, ‘Once your basic needs are met, don’t pursue material things too much.’ So, is your anxiety really due to economic reasons?
In Bhutan, some people have extremely poor indoor facilities or no houses at all. For these people, I offer to support building houses and improving indoor facilities. But for Syrian refugees, JTS simply cannot afford to build houses. So I tell the Syrian refugees to think, ‘At least we have tents, that’s fortunate.’ And I remind them that while they may live like this, their children shouldn’t have to, so more important than building a house right now is educating their children. Because once children grow up, they miss the opportunity for education.
To overcome your anxiety, you need to firmly hold the position that your anxiety is not due to economic problems. Your psychological anxiety is not because you have no income from drawing cartoons. If you continue to approach it that way, you will have no choice but to live anxiously until you die. If you really want to draw cartoons, you should have the perspective that ‘Even if I have to beg for food or wear picked-up clothes, I will draw cartoons.’
Buddha had the perspective that ‘To spread the Dharma, it’s okay to beg for food, wear picked-up clothes, and sleep under trees. But I will spread this Dharma for the suffering sentient beings.’ That’s why he lived proudly while begging for alms all his life. The reason I’m traveling around the world like this now is to awaken people’s consciousness so that we all reduce consumption, because if climate change worsens, all of humanity and all living beings will suffer. If we cook and eat delicious food, wear nice clothes, and travel here and there for fun, but eventually lead to the extinction of our descendants, is that really the way to live well? Isn’t it a better path to live simply in terms of eating, dressing, and living, but to live for a long time? I’m asking many people this and guiding them towards a better path.
If you keep talking about economic lack while living in South Korea, there’s no end to dissatisfaction. If you want to draw cartoons, just draw cartoons. If you have a firm will to draw cartoons even if you have to beg for food and wear picked-up clothes, then live drawing cartoons. If you want to eat, dress, and sleep better than others, you should quit drawing cartoons no matter how much you like it. You can go to construction sites or supermarkets where they need workers and work there. Then you can earn 100,000 won and spend 50,000 won on food. But in Syrian refugee camps, you can’t find a job that pays even 10,000 won a day. So your psychological anxiety problem is not due to cartoons. It’s not because you can’t find a job.
Right now in South Korea, there are many job openings but not enough people to work, which is becoming a big problem. That’s why over 2 million foreign workers have come to Korea to work, but there’s still a shortage of workers. If you’re looking for a job where you work less but earn a lot of money, such jobs are hard to find. For example, if you want to make big money by investing in stocks or coins, you should be prepared to lose money. If someone called you and said they’d give you a billion won if you put ten million won in the bank, and you lost it, isn’t that greed that you brought upon yourself? Unrealistic thoughts led to a big loss. So you have to take responsibility for what you’ve done. You should move forward thinking, ‘My greed blinded me! From now on, I need to live with a clear mind!’
First, your current difficulties stem from a mental illness. So you need to receive treatment. Second, even if you have mental difficulties, being alive is a good thing. Try to have the perspective that having a slight mental defect is better than not having arms or legs or not being able to see. And it’s not solved just by taking medication. The way to care for yourself a little more in your current condition is to keep giving yourself reassuring suggestions like ‘This is good as it is. Nothing is wrong with me’ to become comfortable. Third, if what you value most is food, clothing, and shelter, you should do work that earns money rather than pursuing what you like. If drawing cartoons, which you like, is more important, you should have the perspective that it’s okay to live while giving up a bit on eating, dressing, and sleeping. If you have that mindset, you can overcome mental difficulties due to physical limitations.
“Thank you.”
“Because you’re currently experiencing mental difficulties, you might find my words frustrating. However, try living with the perspective I’ve talked about. If you fail, get up again and try again. That’s how you can live as the master of your life, even if it’s just for a day.”
The questions continued. When the conversation ended, it was 8:30 AM. Sunim apologized, saying that he probably wouldn’t be able to do a live broadcast for next week’s Dharma Assembly as he would be on a plane.
“I may not be able to give a Dharma talk at the next practice assembly. After this assembly ends today, I will be meeting with a cabinet minister from Bhutan, then traveling through Bangkok to Sydney, Australia. I will be giving lectures in Korean and English in major cities in Australia and New Zealand, then going to East Timor to meet with a Ramon Magsaysay Award recipient, and then to Canada and the western United States for more English and Korean lectures. I will likely be in transit during the next scheduled practice assembly, so I won’t be able to give a Dharma talk in person. I ask for your understanding in advance. Instead, I will share news of my activities at the following assembly.”
After finishing the live broadcast, Sunim immediately packed his belongings and went out to explore the surroundings of Thimphu.
Originally, a training session for government officials was planned, but it was canceled due to internal circumstances of the Bhutanese government. So, it was decided to explore Buddhist sites around Thimphu instead.
“It’s great that we now have time to look around northern Thimphu, which we’ve always wanted to do but never had the chance.”
First, Sunim visited Tango Buddhist University, located 15km north of Thimphu city.
Upon entering the main hall, many monks were having their formal monastic meal (Barugongyang). As everyone was eating, Sunim quietly paid respects and left the hall.
The monks at Tango University study for a 9-year course, and upon successful completion, they meditate for 3 years and 3 months at the nearby Cheri Monastery. This place is considered sacred by the Bhutanese people because Zhabdrung Rinpoche, who unified Bhutan and established its national identity in the 17th century, meditated in a cave here.
After touring the university, Sunim sat down for a brief tea break, then offered a donation to the monk who had guided them before leaving the university.
They then got back in the car and headed to Dechenphug Lhakhang temple. Dechenphug Lhakhang is a fortified monastery located on the western slope of the Thimphu valley. It is said to have been built in the 12th century by Dampa, the son of Phajo Drugom Shigpo (1184-1251), who popularized Drukpa Buddhism throughout Bhutan.
Inside the temple, there is a famous fortified tower called Goenkhang, which houses the protective deity of Thimphu. This tower can only be visited by Bhutanese citizens and is off-limits to foreigners, so Sunim paid his respects from the outside. Sunim offered a prayer with his palms together, facing the temple.
“May the sustainable development projects in Bhutan be successful. May the Korean Peninsula and the world be peaceful.”
Next, they headed to Thimphu city center to meet with a Bhutanese cabinet minister. For several years, many apartments have been built in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, centered around the new town. To see how much development had taken place, they took a detour through the new town.
All the apartments looked the same because they had to adhere to traditional styles. The height is also restricted to 6 floors, as buildings must be lower than the royal palace.
Upon arriving in downtown Thimphu, they stopped at a Korean restaurant called Sanmaru, where they were served tea and greeted the owner. They then moved to the Bhutanese government office to meet their 11:30 appointment.
When Sunim arrived at the cabinet minister’s office, the minister warmly welcomed him.
“How was your visit to Bhutan this time?”
Sunim smiled and replied:
“It was very good. About 30 people, including gups, tshogpas, and government officials, gathered for a workshop. In the past, we had brief meetings, but this time, with a longer session, we were able to have comprehensive discussions about the purpose and methods of sustainable development. I believe they will be more proactive in village development going forward. I see this entire process as an educational journey for both residents and officials. Until now, they’ve been working as directed, but through this workshop, I think they’ll start planning and actively carrying out their work.”
Sunim then made some suggestions regarding areas where the Bhutanese government could provide assistance for sustainable development. First, he discussed the findings from the healthcare survey and what he would like to request from the Bhutanese government.
How About Organizing a Medical Camp for the Villagers?
“First, we looked into ophthalmology services for cataract surgery. After discussing with Korean ophthalmologists about performing eye surgeries for the villagers, we found that the laser equipment is difficult to transport on small planes. So, I thought it would be good to bring the equipment to India, install it in Gelephu, and then bring the villagers to Gelephu for eye surgery. If you can provide the space, we could organize medical camps twice a year with doctors coming from Korea. It would be great if you could check if the Bhutanese government can arrange a space for the medical camp at the hospital in Gelephu.
Next, we looked into dental services for providing dentures. We’ve secured doctors, but we haven’t found dental technicians to make the teeth yet. We also looked into ENT services related to hearing aids. Previously, hearing aids were expensive, costing over $1,000, making them difficult to distribute. However, recently, a device that functions as both earphones and hearing aids has been released for $100. If we test it and the response is good, we should be able to distribute them widely.”
After hearing Sunim’s proposal, the Cabinet Minister responded.
“The Bhutanese government also has officials in charge of medical fields, so I’ll connect you with them. When medical experts discuss, better methods will emerge.”
“Yes, we will submit a proposal.”
“The medical camp will likely incur significant costs. How can these costs be covered?”
“JTS will cover all expenses for the medical camps we organize. We will bear all costs, including expenses for bringing doctors from Korea, transporting medical equipment, and villagers’ transportation. If Bhutanese government officials need to come on business trips, the government only needs to cover those costs.” (Laughs)
Next, Sunim sought cooperation regarding bringing experts from Korea at the end of October to survey and develop eco-friendly plans for the Paro Taktsang Monastery.
Then, Sunim shared his future visit schedule to Bhutan.
“I plan to visit Bhutan again for a two-week schedule at the end of December. During those two weeks, I plan to visit all 40 chiwogs in Zhemgang. Then, in early February, I plan to visit Bhutan again for a ten-day schedule to visit all 30 chiwogs in Trongsa. This is because thorough preliminary research is necessary before starting this project. So, we will postpone the pilot project until May next year. I think we can properly plan the main project after conducting the pilot project from this November to May next year.
The villagers’ participation is more active than we expected. The reason seems to be that the money comes from a lama, not from the government. All Bhutanese are Buddhists, after all. We will submit a proposal for the main project once the pilot project succeeds. We’re still in the experimental stage.”
“Thank you very much.”
We said our goodbyes, agreeing to meet again when Sunim next visits Bhutan.
“What’s your next schedule?”
“I’m going to Australia today. In Australia, I plan to give a lecture to Bhutanese students studying there about what kind of life is good to live.” (Laughs)
“Thank you. Please contact us whenever you come to Bhutan. We will always make time.”
After leaving the Bhutanese government office, we headed straight to Paro Airport.
We arrived at Paro Airport at 1:30 PM and expressed gratitude to Rinchen Dawa, who had been interpreting for Sunim throughout the week.
“Thank you for your hard work with the interpretation.”
After discussing with the JTS volunteer about future tasks to be carried out with Bhutanese officials and villagers, we entered the airport, checked in our luggage, and completed departure procedures.
The plane that departed from Paro Airport at 4 PM flew for 3 hours and 10 minutes, arriving at Bangkok Airport at 8:30 PM local time.
While waiting to transfer to the next flight at Bangkok Airport, Sunim attended to some work.
We boarded another plane and departed from Bangkok Airport at 10:20 PM, heading to Sydney, Australia. On the plane, Sunim proofread manuscripts and attended to various tasks before falling asleep in his seat.
Tomorrow, after flying all night, we will arrive at Sydney Airport at 10:20 AM. Then, Sunim will give a Dharma Q&A lecture to foreigners living in Sydney, with English interpretation.
