In an attempt to be in touch with one of the four pillars of Gross National Happiness, 52 students of Gaeddu College of Business Studies attended a two week Dharma camp in Punakha.

Presided over by Tshugla Lopen Samten Dorji ,Khyenpo Karma Lhendup and Lopen Jamba Choygel the camp emphazied on the Mahamudra preliminary practice which is very important for purifying negative karma and to generate wisdom.

During the camp, the Four Noble Truth in Buddhism was also discussed which later became an eye opener for most of the Dharma camp.

The students were introduced to the five paths in the Four Noble Truth, namely the path of accumulation, the path of preparation, the path of seeing, the path of concentration and the path of no learning stage. 

For what seemed to be a new knowledge to most of the participants, they were also given a session on the meaning of emptiness in the Buddhist perspective.

Some of the most essential know-about of Buddhism like the origin of Drukpa Kayud, and the lineage and transmission of Dharma from one root teacher to his disciples were also discussed.

In order to strengthen and understand Buddhism amongst the youth, they were given time for a question-answer session after every topic.

“The camp has touched every aspect of Buddhism which has made us understand our own religion better,” said a student of Gaeddu College.  

According to a BBA sixth semester student, the two-week Dharma camp has helped him improve his spiritual interest in Buddhism.

Another participant said, by attending the camp has made him to realize more about how everything was impermanent in life.

In the weekends, the students organized some entertainment programs to keep themselves fully engaged.

The students also accompanied Tshugla Lopen Samten Dorji on pilgrimage trips to Gasa and Punakha Dzong.

During the two-week Dharma camp, the Dorji Lopen and Tshugla Lopen Samten Dorji launched the name of the college Buddhist association as “Dharma Practice Association (Choegi Telzhug Tshogpa).

The camp ended on December 30 with the Dorji Lopen awarding certificates to all the participants.

Tshugla Lopen appreciated the participation of the students by re emphasizing the importance of the Dharma in Bhutan.