In this episode I travel to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, where I visit world renowned Bhutanese author Ashi Kunzang Choden at her family seat of Ogyen Choling in the Tang Valley, Bumthang.
Ashi gives a tour of her home, which her family have occupied for hundreds of years, including a rare look into a remarkable multi-story temple with rich religious frescos, sacred artefacts, and entire floors dedicated to Tara and Guru Rinpoche.
Ashi also recounts her remarkable life that embodies so much of Bhutan’s recent history.
Ashi was born into a family of feudal lords, witnessed the reformations of the 1950s, was educated in Catholic convents in India, and worked for the United Nations, before returning to her family home which she now runs as a cultural centre and guest house.
Ashi also recalls the spiritual advice given to her by Dudjom Rinpoche, reveals why her exposure to Christianity opened her up to the heart of Buddhism, and discusses the impact of feminist thought on her perspective of Bhutanese culture and her place in it.
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Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/152-voice-of-bhutan-ashi-kunzang-choden
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
01:13 - About Ogyen Choling
04:53 - Entering the temple
06:15 - The main temple featuring Buddha Shakyamuni, Dorje Lingpa, & Longchenpa
08:55 - Bardo Thodol fresco
09:28 - Sacred relics
12:49 - Frescoes of Guru Rinpoche and Kalachakra Shambala
16:53 - The Tara temple with unique family statues
18:36 - Frescos of the 84 Mahasiddhas, Avalokiteshvara, & the Buddha
20:44 - History of Ashi’s family temple
22:26 - Preservation of Dorje Lingpa’s texts
26:43 - Tour of the family museum
28:14 - About the local spirits
30:48 - Pre-reformation life of self-sufficiency
32:44 - Effects of global warming on crops
35:14 - Rice, grain, and alcohol practices
38:16 - History of Ashi’s family
42:44 - Ashi’s memories of Bhutan’s reformations
46:43 - Education at Catholic convents for 11 years
50:28 - Opening to Buddhism to through Christianity
53:41 - Meetings with great Lamas and the advice of Dudjom Rinpoche
01:00:03 - Ashi on feminism
01:06:28 - Ashi’s writing career
01:11:19 - Ashi’s closing remarks
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To find out more about Ashi Kunzang Choden, visit:
- https://www.olingheritagehouse.com/about
- https://www.riyangbooks.com/
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
