His Majesty the King granted kidu to 681 earthquakeaffected households

Assuring every necessary support to victims of natural disasters, His Majesty the King granted kidu to 681 earthquakeaffected households yesterday morning in Tongshang gewog, Trashiyangtse.

This also includes three households in Tongshang whose homes were gutted by fire.

Speaking to the victims, His Majesty said that Bhutan is different from the rest of the world, because the people and the government share a strong bond of unity and brotherhood. “Thus, we share our joys as well as our sorrows. In this way we’re very lucky, we are a very lucky society,” said His Majesty.

His Majesty said that the eople in the villages are very hardworking and deserving of kidu. The kidu money would be well used to rebuild newer homes and livelihood.

“You (the villagers) are a major portion of our population. Moreover, you are the foundation of our country. It is therefore, very important for you to invest the money (kidu) to build better homes to last for many generations,” His Majesty said.

Upon His Majesty’s command, 13 heavy-duty vehicles were procured to help the rebuilding process. Over 500 army personnel have been deployed in Durung and Wamrong to help the victims rebuild their homes. A special unit of engineers and architects would oversee the project.

Local authorities said that the villagers heavily depend on the kidu money and the insurance compensation to rebuild their homes.

Jamkhar gup, Jigme Norbu said, “Most villagers cannot rebuild their homes without soelra and all the special help provided by His Majesty.” The September 21 earthquake and the aftershocks damaged 140 houses in the gewog alone. Ten homes totally collapsed.

Changlu’s family still sleeps in the shed beside his damaged home. “We need to rebuild our home at the earliest because the children are suffering. Now that His Majesty has granted us both land and money we need nothing more,” he said.

His Majesty granted land kidu of 832 acres to 945 thram holders in Tongshang gewog exempting them of Nu 17.93 million in compensation towards the government.

Later in the evening, in Trashigang, His Majesty met and granted soelra to the villagers of Merak and Sakteng.

Earlier on Nov 28, His Majesty joined the people of Trashigang at the last day of the Trashigang tshechu. The joy of attending the tshechu was simply beyond words for thousands of people who gathered in Trashigang for the annual tshechu. His Majesty also offered prayers at the Sacred Guru Tshengyed kunchham.

“This is a historic moment for us,” said a civil servant.

“As far as I can remember not even senior officials attended our tshechu. With His Majesty attending the tshechu is a great memory,” said Sonam Dorji from Samkhar.

Later in the day, His Majesty granted kidu to 1,114 villagers from nine gewogs under Trashigang dzongkhag.

Of the total number of households that received kidu, 21 houses were damaged by windstorm in October and two houses destroyed by fire, one each in Bidung and Samkhar. His Majesty also granted tokha to the people.

Wangmo from Shongphu, whose house collapsed, now sees a glimpse of hope to rebuild her home. “I think my family can afford to rebuild our home with the ready assistance provided to us. With His Majesty personally overseeing things it’s assured we’ll live in a proper house,” she said.

His Majesty leaves for Udzorong and Wamrong today.

Source: Kuenselonline

Inter Departmental Tournamnet Updates

In yesterdays match of Inter Departmental Tournament Knockout match the result was as follows:

First Match:
RTC (Royal Thimphu College) beats RSTA (Road Safety and Transport Authority) 10:1

Second Match:
Bhutan Post beats Druk Wangyel 2:1

So now Bhutan Post will face BMT in Quarter Final on the 3rd of December 2009 at 3:30 pm

BMT FC, Inter Department Football Tournament

A Harick from Sushil Helped his team BMT book a palace in the quarter finals of the Inter Departmental Tournament. In the first match of the knockout round of the journey, BMT beat Bhutan Telecom 6:2 yestarday.

Bhutan Telecom looked determined and tried to maintain the lead in the game. The clock ticked only fourteen and they got their first goal when Karma Wangdi flipped in a header from their corner

BMT were trying desperately for an equalizer but luck was not on their side and in the 35th minutes a goalkeeping blunder by the BMT goalkeeper, Chencho helped Bhutan Telecom to find another goal. It was an easy catch but due to poor judgment by Chencho, the ball slipped from his hand and was rolling towards the goal, Tshering Norbu of Bhutan Telecom made no errors and toed the ball into the net pushing up the score line to 2:0.

However, the BMT did not lose hope. They played their game making attempts after attempts though non went into the opponent goal post. Eventually their persistent effort paid off in the 40th minutes when Kencho Tobgay made a spectacular goal by slamming into the net o cross ball from his teammate Yeshi.

The goal gave them the boost and BMT were then urgently looking for an equalizer. But before that the whistle for the half time was blown.

After the break, the BMT came in more energized but their much sough equalizer came in only in the 58th minutes when Tashi Phuntsho’s fare attempt from the near the centre line found the nets. It as a draw then and both the teams fought hard racing towards finding a winning goal.

BMT made a timely substation and Sushil came in. He changed the whole course of the game and snatched the game from the hand of the Bhutan Telecom. It was in the 75th minutes only a few minutes after his appearance into the game when Sushil scored the winning goal for his team. After fetching a pass from his team mate Nidup, he dribbled the ball past the Bhutan Telecom defenders and majestically slipped the ball into the net.

After that goal, the BMT’ took full control of the game. In the 85th Minutes Sushil netted in his second goal the score board read 4:2 for BMT and only a minute after in the 86th minutes, Sushil made his hatrick and his team mate Yeshi scored another in the 89th minutes, pushing the final score to 6:2 for BMT

Today, RSTA will take on Royal Thimphu College in the first match at 1.30 pm and Druk Wangyel will play against Bhutan Post in the second match that is scheduled at 3.30Pm.

Bhutan Majestic Travel FC, Inter Department Football Tournament

Yestarday was the last match of the Inter Departmental Tournament League Round and the match was played between Meet Pool and Bhutan Majestic Travel (BMT).

Bhutan Majestic Travel FC wrapped up Runners up spot in Inter Departmental Tournament Champions League Group G with a game to spare with a win against Meet Pool yesterday in the last match of league round. Jigme N. Norbu the mid fielder, Free Kick goal from 28 Yards on the 32 Minutes was enough for BMT to qualify to the Super 16. He was giving all his best efforts even thou he was injured and he played full game of 98 minutes.

The BMT were holding the ball and making all their best chances, but couldn't take advantage of those best chances. The Mid fielder were making lots of good passes and creating lots of chances for the strikers and wingers, but somehow they failed. The ball position was 70% by 30% Meet Pool.

The BMT had the best of the Best players and all the players had given their best and it was a best team work and looking at the game plan and game statics the game was dominated by BMT.

The winger D.S. Gurung, Sonam Tobgay, Substitute Bikash Gurung, Dawa Tshering were really fit and they had lots of contribution in this game. Striker, Namgay Dorji, Kencho Tobgay, Phunetsho Wangdue, Bro had their best chances but couldn't consist a goal as luck were not favoring them. The Mid fielder, Jigme N. Norbu, Tashi Phuntsho and Substitute Tashi had were best in making the game and holding the ball and creating lots of chances. The defenders Phuntsho Wangdi, Ruto, Younten, and Thinley Dorji were good in taking and clearing all the ball giving no chance to Meet Pool players to attack. The Lam Chencho, Goalie had a very good and he had saved all 4 difficult and sure goal balls. So the bottom line is that BMT were best and as we say "May the Best Team Win" so the BMT are the best.

Both the teams were good and played well till the 65 Minutes and after that all the players were tired, but even though the Meet Pool had given their best, but they fail to score. The BMT had many chances, but due to the poor finishing they failed to score more goal.

The super 16 (Knock-Out Round) will start from 27th November. The opening match will be played between BMT and Bhutan Telecom.

The Captain of BMT, Namgay Dorji say that he is confident with his players that they will reach till the finals.

Inter Departmental Tournament

Namgay Dorji (Captain)

Yesterday the match in the Inter Departmental Tournament between us, BMT and the Royal Bhutan Police was one of the best matches of the weekends.

Tashi and Tashi Phuntsho in Action

Both Team were very energetic and fit for the first 45 minutes the score were leveled at 0:0, the Royal Bhutan Police were under pressure.

BMT Players in Action

In the Second half both the team was giving their best but Royal Bhutan Police scored a goal from the dusty and crowded players inside the penalty area and in the last minutes again the Police scored their second Goal.

Lam Chencho Dorji and D.S. Gurung During the Half Time

We are playing against the BDFC on the 1st November.

Tenzing Phuntsho Striker

Thinley Dorji Right Defense

Bhutan Inter Departmental Football (Soccer) Tournament

The Inter Departmental Football tournament has started on the 15th October 2009. 34 teams participating in the the tournament and we the BMT has also joined in the tournament. Our first match will be playing on the 25th OCtober with Royal Bhutan Police.

Our Team practice matches pictures.

Thimphu Under 19 Cricket Tournament

Thimphu School: Under-19 Boys Tournaments

Thimphu School: Under-19 Boys Tournaments

Under-19 Boys Tournaments on Thimphu School ended. Nima Higher Secondary School won by 10 runs in the final played on 4th October. Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School and Nima Higher Secondary school played in Changlimithang Ground.

BCCB CEO Mr. Jigme N. Norbu and Mr. Rumesh Joseph Ratnayake

Nima High School taking the Wicket

Nima High School taking the Wicket

Nima High School taking catch

Winner and Runners-up team with chief Guess, Coaches and Mr. D.S. Gurung

Nima H.S.School Winner

Winner - Nima High School

Runners-up Yangchenphu H.S. School

World Economic Forum choses His Majesty the King as young global leader

His Majesty the King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

His Majesty the King has been chosen as one of the young global leaders by the World Economic Forum.

The honour is bestowed each year by the World Economic Forum to recognize and acknowledge young leaders from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Source: BBS

High Value, Low Volume Tourism

To the outside world the small Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan is regarded as a modern-day Shangri-La. Nestled along the eastern side of the Himalayas, wedged between Tibet and India, Bhutan sees few outsiders. And the country likes it that way as it attempts to preserve its fragile culture and ecology. That has prompted Bhutan to strictly regulate tourism. But as VOA’s Steve Herman reports from Thimpu, it is possible for anyone with enough money and determination to visit.
Herman Tibet Tourists arrive at Paro Airporteng 195 21 May 07
Tourists arrive at Paro Airport

Here people call their nation Druk Yul - land of the thunder dragon. The sights and sounds of its deep connection to Tibetan Buddhism are evident just about anywhere a visitor goes.

A religious musician, playing the jaling oboe, dressed in the traditional knee-length gown and huge white cuffs worn by most Bhutanese men is just one example of why this country the size of Switzerland is so appealing to travelers.
Bhutan's architectural style wows visitors
Bhutan’s architectural style wows visitors

The country is permeated with fortresses, known as dzongs, and monasteries. The air is crisp and clean, the views of mountains breathtaking. What Bhutan lacks in high-end tourist infrastructure it makes up in courtesy, safety and cleanliness, especially compared to other major regional destinations.

Yet, Bhutan remains one of international tourism’s best-kept secrets. It attracts less than 20,000 tourists a year, not including thousands more Indians, here on business or holiday, who do not need a visa to visit.
Sonam Dorji, General Secretary Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators
Sonam Dorji, General Secretary Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators

The head of the association representing Bhutan’s 290 tour operators, Sonam Dorji, says the myth persists that the country is virtually off-limits to visitors. Tourists have been welcomed since 1974. But Dorji says there will be no attempt to undertake a mass-marketing campaign, unlike Bhutan’s neighbors against which it competes for tourist revenue.

“By not marketing we still remain exclusive and a very mysterious country,” he said. “We don’t have any limits of arrivals. As long as they pay $180 per night, they are welcome.”

That may sound like a steep price, but it includes accommodations, meals, guides and transportation.

Most visitors come for the trekking, bird watching or just to absorb the unique culture of this deeply religious and agrarian society. Many typical tourist pursuits, however, are off-limits, such as mountain climbing or recreational fishing. Local people consider their mountains sacred and inhabited by deities. Fishing for sport also violates religious sensibilities.

Dorji, head of the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators, says religious values cannot be compromised in the name of increasing tourism.
An old monk chants prayers on a street corner in Paro
An old monk chants prayers on a street corner in Paro

“Buddhist religion overall is just like to protect even the environment, the sentient beings, all living beings. And we believe that even a tree has a soul. So that’s the part which has influenced the tourism policy,” added Dorji.

There is a fierce determination here to protect the environment. After all, it is natural resources which provide Bhutan with its primary source of revenue - sales of hydro-electric power to its energy-hungry neighbor, India. Tourism is the top source of hard currency.

Although tourism officials say Bhutan can absorb tens of thousands more visitors per year, if they come during the off-season, there is a fear that making it less costly for outsiders to visit could easily swamp this country of less than 700,000 people.
Herman Tibet Amb Lhatu Wangchuk Director General Bhutan Department of Tourism eng 195 21may07
Amb. Lhatu Wangchuk

“Being small, you cannot be careless. We cannot promote and develop normal type of tourism here because we simply do not have the carrying capacity. We have, yes, rich culture, living culture, ancient culture, but they’re still very fragile,” said former ambassador Lhatu Wangchuk, the director general of Bhutan’s department of tourism.

Those who do visit are warmly welcomed. Wangchuk believes that is because experience with well-healed visitors, who tend to be older and highly educated, has had a “very positive” impact on Bhutanese people and their culture.

“It is the tourists who have been educating the Bhutanese. We get tourists who are well traveled, tourists who are very sensitive to other countries’ culture, their way of life. And therefore we’ve been made more aware of the value of our own culture,” continued Wangchuk.

But there is a bit of trouble in paradise. There are complaints that the modest number of trekkers are damaging Bhutan’s environment, leaving behind litter and eroding habitat in a country where three-quarters of the land is unspoiled forest.

Herman Archery is Bhutans national sport and one of the countrys attractions for tourists eng 195 21may07
Archery is Bhutan’s national sport and one of the country’s attractions for tourists

In the few cities, such as the capital of Thimpu, and Paro, where the main airport is located, packs of stray dogs wander the streets barking loudly at night and garbage disposal is an increasing problem.

But most Bhutanese, such as this elderly monk chanting Tibetan prayers on the sidewalk, remain unfazed by the modest number of outsiders and the potential benefits or problems they bring.

As Bhutanese are apt to exclaim, drawing on centuries of Buddhist wisdom, the only thing that is constant is change. They believe that their values and the wisdom of their enlightened leaders in a country now shifting from absolute monarchy to parliamentary democracy will prevail and allow their way of life to be preserved.

Source: http://www.voanews.com

The central monastic body led by His Holiness the Je Khenpo

The central monastic body led by His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the five Lopons left for Punakha, their winter residence, yesterday. His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the monks of the Zhung Dratshang were seen off by the Prime Minister Lyonpo Kinzang Dorji and senior government officials from Tashichoedzong yesterday morning.

As is the tradition, His Holiness and the monk body will make a night halt at the Thinleygang lhakhang before proceeding to the Puna Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang tomorrow morning.
On the way, thousands of devotees lined up at different places to receive blessings from His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the monk body.

Upon arrival at the Thinleygang Lhakhang, His Holiness the Je Khenpo and the monk body were received in traditional seldra ceremony by gewog officials, students and teachers and hundreds of people from Toebi gewog.

Every year the monk body and His Holiness the Je Khenpo move to their winter residence on the 1st day of the tenth Bhutanese month. They will be spending six months in Punakha moving back to Thimphu on the first day of the fourth Bhutanese month. The tradition was introduced by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in the 17th century.

Source: BBS

Four Powerful Animals

Known as “The Four Dignities,�? these powerful animals represent sacred qualities and attitudes that Bodhisattvas develop on the path to enlightenment; qualities such as awareness, vast vision, confidence, joy, humility and power.

The Dragon (Inscrutable) enjoys resting in the sky among the clouds and wind. It is energetic, powerful and unwavering yet gentle and playful. The Sky Dragon symbolizes generosity, spontaneous achievement, elegance, and equanimity.

The Garuda (Outrageous) is daring and fearless. Possessing great strength and power it soars beyond the beyond - no holding back. It symbolizes freedom from hopes and fears, the vast mind without reference point.

The Snow Lion (Perky) represents unconditional cheerfulness, a mind free of doubt, clear and precise. It’s synchronized body and mind results in a youthful, vibrant energy of goodness and a natural sense of delight.

The Tiger (Meek) symbolizes unconditional confidence, disciplined awareness, kindness and modesty. It is relaxed yet energized; resting in a gentle state of being with a natural sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Four Harmonious Friends

Four Harmonious Friends

This familiar Bhutanese motif, called Thunpa Punshi, has its origins in the Jataka tales of the Buddha’s previous lives. The parable is one of “honoring age�? and working cooperatively. It relates how four animal friends - an elephant, a monkey, a hare and a partridge - once lived beneath a great Banyan tree in the Himalayan foothills. They were discussing the tree and how to harvest its fruit.

The elephant related how the tree was a small when he was a baby.

The monkey said that it was a bush the size of his body when he was young.

The hare related how he had licked the dew off the leaves of the tree when it was a small shrub.

Finally the bird spoke telling of how he had one swallowed the original seed and how this mighty tree had actually sprouted from his droppings.

The partridge was honored as the eldest, senior in rank to the hare, monkey and elephant. Through their proper ranking and harmonious cooperation the fruit was obtained.

This symbol is displayed in the home to bring harmony and cooperation.

Bhutan Eight Auspicious Symbols

TASHI DAGAY

This set of symbols is very popular in Buddhist Teaching and is also known in Sanskrit as ‘Ashtamangala’, ashta means eight and mangala means auspicious.

The Parasol – The traditional symbol of protection and royalty. It protects from all obstacles, illnesses and harmful forces.

The Golden Fishes – represent happiness, fertility and abundance.

The Treasure Vase – The divine vase of inexhaustible treasures possessing the quality of spontaneous manifestation.

The Lotus – The symbol of absolute purity and compassion. It represents spiritual unfoldment – the transmutation of passion into compassion.

The Conch Shell – An emblem of power, authority, and sovereignty whose blast is believed to banish evil spirits and avert natural disasters.

The Knot of Eternity - represents the meditative mind. It is an endless knot that overlaps without a beginning or an end. - symbolizing the Buddha’s endless wisdom and compassion.

The Victory Banner – The emblem of Buddha’s victorious enlightenment and the methods for overcoming worldly defilements.

The Dharma Wheel – The ancient symbol of creation became the symbol of spiritual and universal law in Buddhism. The hub of the wheel symbolizes moral discipline, the eight spokes – the Noble Eightfold Path, and the rim – meditative concentration.

Buddhism Offerings

Altar Offerings

In every Bhutanese home, a place is reserved to make offerings to the Three Jewels, the Buddha, Dharma and Spiritual Community. The Three Jewels are often represented by a statue or thanka painting, a scripture and a stupa or a reliquary object. Before them is space to set up a set of standard offerings, represented by bowls of water, and the occasional torma ritual cake or other offerings of food. The water in the bowls would be changed every morning. For a practitioner, such offerings provide a basis for transformation into unsurpassable offerings.

According to the Buddhist scriptures, all the faults in the universe are the result of sentient beings’ disturbing emotions. Instead of dwelling on the faults to be seen in our offerings, but imagining them as pure and faultless, we create an imprint for purifying our minds of obstruction and defilement. Therefore they are imagined as pure and beautiful as possible, incorporating the best of everything existing in the past, present and future and the ten directions of the universe. The exalted beings to whom we make offerings do not apparently consume the physical substances before us. Nevertheless, as a basis for acquiring merit, such physical offerings should be clean, made of the best substances, attractive to ourselves and acquired through honest means. Consequently, they will form a better basis for imagining perfect offerings.

When preparing to make offerings, we should begin by meditating on the wisdom of great bliss and emptiness, imagining it has taken the form of the offering. When making the offering, we should think of it as empty of intrinsic existence. 1n this way, we purify the offering of its ordinary aspects and also purify our minds. We should abandon any thought of immediate benefit, especially in relation to ourselves in this life. It is also important not to entertain doubts about the quality of our offering and whether or not it pleased the exalted being to whom we presented it. Instead think that the deity’ rejoiced at the offering and generated great bliss from partaking of it.

Seven Water Bowl Offerings

The traditional set of offerings, commonly represented by bowls of water, derives from the customary offerings presented to an honoured guest in ancient India. The first bowl contains clear water for the newly arrived guests to drink. The water should be imagined as pure as nectar and offered in vessels made of precious substances. In the second bowl is water for the guest to wash his or her feet; a reminder that in India people walked barefoot. In the third bowl are flowers, reminiscent of the crowns of flowers offered to women and the garlands offered to men. Masses of fragrant, beautiful flowers can be called up in the imagination. In the fourth bowl is incense, an offering to please the sense of smell. In the imagination billowing clouds of fragrant incense are offered. The fifth offering, pleasing to sight, is bright light commonly in the form of a lamp, which like the sun and the moon illuminates darkness. This light is imagined to be so clear that you can see even the smallest atoms without obstruction. Sometimes coloured lights are offered and imagined to be emanating from nectar. In Bhutanese tradition different colours are believed to have various healing properties. Coloured or not, the light offered should be very clear. Light is imagined as dispelling the darkness of ignorance. Shariputra, the Buddha’s main disciple renowned for his intelligence, had, in a previous life, offered a bright light before a stupa. As a result he was reborn with great intelligence. The sixth offering consists of a bowl of scented water. Intended to soothe the mind, it is applied at the heart. Seventh is an offering of food, commonly in the form of a torma or ritual cake. In India, this offering traditionally contained three sweet substances: molasses, honey and sugar and three white substances: curd, butter and milk. In Bhutan, these would be mixed with tsampa or parched barley flour to make an offering cake. The result is like ambrosia, pleasing in colour, form, smell, and taste. Eighth is an offering of sound. It is not represented on the altar, but can simply be imagined as beautiful music.

INCENSE OFFERING

Incense offering, or Sang-sol, is a ceremony performed by Bhutanese from all walks of life to mark important events in their lives. A widespread national custom, it can be preformed individually or in groups, on occasions such as the annual ceremony, festivals and also at big mountain pass or preceding other important events.

Origins

It is not clear whether the Bhutanese custom of offering incense originated in India or not, as only two references to such practice can be found in the Indian texts. It is mentioned in the Guhyasamaja Tantra that one should know about the three kinds of fragrance. The other reference is to be found in the story of Bhadri of Magadha, which tells of how she invited the Buddha to her house and made offerings of smoke to him from the roof.

According to the writings of various scholars, it seems that incense offering was carried out in Bhutan from the very early times when the teacher Tonpa Sherab, founder of the Bon religion, first came from Zhang Zhung (Afghanistan/Tadzhikistan?) to spread his doctrine in Bhutan.
The oldest extant text on incense offering, dates back to the eight century, when the Indian master Padmasambhava came to Bhutan and built Samye monastery. This manual, containing detailed instructions on how to preform the ritual, was then hidden by him to await discovery at some appropriate juncture in the future. Several centuries later, two Treasure masters (tertons), one from northern Tibet and another from the south, discovered and revealed it. based on this Treasure (terma) text many Nyingma, Kagyu and Sakya lamas composed the incense offering.

The Ritual

The Incense offering should be done in the morning on a clean and elevated outdoor site, free of insects., either on a hill or the top of a house and inhabited by many local gods and nagas. If performed during a festival, all the inhabitants of a locality may assemble and, at the end of the offering, stand in a row and throw a handful of tsampa (roasted barley flour) in the air. As this is usually a happy occasion, a dance often follows. In the summer, incense offering is often associated with picnics on top of mountains.

It is closely linked with the hanging of prayer flags from trees or tall poles, especially on the third day of the new year, but also on other auspicious days. The incense should be burned in a large urn-shaped burner (sang-khun) and should not have been trampled by people or animals. Wood, not coal, should be used as fuel and the substance to be burned as incense should be fragrant, such as the leaves of fern or juniper, or the branches of coniferous tree, rhododendron, and red or white sandalwood. In addition, tsampa, butter, sugar, and medicinal plants, and other substances free from the taint of alcohol, onion or garlic are burned.
When offering incense, people should examine their motivation andreflect that by making this offering to lamas, meditational deities and religious protectors, they will accumulate merit, which they should dedicate to the benefit of all sentient beings. If they have any specific requests, such as prayers for longevity or the removal ofobstacles to religious practice, they should be made at this point.

Prayers Flags

Next the practitioners take refuge, meditate on the four immeasurable wishes, love, compassion, joy, equanimity, and visualize themselves
as deities.