Ep152: Voice of Bhutan - Ashi Kunzang Choden

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.
…
www.guruviking.com/podcast/152-voice-of-bhutan-ashi-kunzang-choden
Also available on KZbin, iTunes, & Spotify - search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
…
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 …
To find out more about Ashi Kunzang Dorje, visit:
- www.olingheritagehouse.com/about
- www.riyangbooks.com/

[@kesango.bhutia6580]

Being the eldest daughter-in-law of the Dorjelingpa lineage (the 13th generation) here at Denjong (Sikkim) I feel highly honored to watch this video. When I got married, I was told the stories about their lineage and how their ancestors decided to part ways to Denjong(Sikkim), Bhutan, Nepal and Sri-Lanka- four brothers to preach & spread the teachings of Lord Buddha. The monastery here is known as Doling Gyumpa located at Rabongla, South Sikkim, which is still looked after by our family.

[@Thuksey]

These are treasures! Bumthang and Bhutan owes Ashi a debt of gratitude for lovingly preserving the temple, the structure, statues and paintings for future generations of Bhutanese. This will be my holy site to visit the next time I am in Bumthang... if it is allowed.

[@tamdindorji1117]

Ashi Kunsang Choden, I know and from judging your vast knowledge in Buddhist, you can read your own script, I like to say སྙིང་ནས་གུས་བཙི་དང་ཐུགས་རྗེ་ཆེ་ཞུ་རྒྱུ་ཡིན་། I went through this interview with full attention and learned a depth of knowledge, very inspiring and like to see more of this type of documents for the benefit of our younger generations to take care of only home our MOTHER EARTH ! Thank you from my ❤️ with great respect !

[@Pureexhiliration]

I’d like to express my gratitude to you and Ashi Kunzang Choden for this interview , especially as a Bhutanese. There is so much I learned here today about Ugyen Choling and her family. It is wonderful how at ease you both were with each other

[@petereglington931]

Thank You so much Steve for having the Wisdom and good karma to record this very special interview with the most Wonderful being Ashi Kunzang Choden..a Hug thank You to Her for granting this ......i for one am extremely grateful .....its so important that we preserve the Wisdom and insights of those beings who have lived through the transition period from the old world to the "Modern"...a most wonderful interview...We are all highly blessed to have the opportunity to hear some of the details of this most delightful Womans incarnation....as well ,to have a glimpse at some of the most remarkable sacred spaces and Artworks......fond memories ... Loved it ...❤️🙏🙏❤️

[@ngoduptibettenzin2664]

She sound very kind and genuine. Thank you.!

[@j.s.-tcm5813]

Thank You, so much, Guru Viking, for doing this far journey for you followers - and interviewing this precious and most wonderful khandro-women. And the images and paintings are so much more beautiful in real. It is really worth to visit that place of Ogyen Choeling, in Bhutan, for everyone who can do this. ❤

[@aressto]

Thank u for beautiful podcasts with such unbelievable people. I wish there will be more interviews with her. I think she has a lot to tell about her life.

[@nihjki2662]

Kuzuzangpolla Ashi. Your information n happy news always give us I'm sorry for the late reply. Lot of salute to you every day mam.

[@manali11]

Kardin che, Ashi Kunzang Choden la for sharing your wisdom with the world. We're grateful for being able to see your historic residence and understand your lineage of Dorjee Lingpa. Hope to visit you someday. Tashi Delek and Aloha from Maui, Hawaii.

[@toothlessanaconda8719]

Voice of Bhutan : democracy, human rights, civil rights, Freedom of speech n culture/ religious freedom.

[@travellerc5117]

This video is such a great treat. Got so immersed and didn't even realize how 1 hour 12 minutes 27 seconds passed by. Thank you for sharing.

[@imgelcen2250]

I have been there before, it is such a beautiful place and the view from the museum towards Tang valley is magnificent.🥰🥰😍😇

[@mitrchitrudi-amphai3160]

Glad+Happy to hear your voice!

[@davidsillars3181]

Interesting to see the quern, grain grinding stones, in the kitchen. There were still a few as ornaments in people's gardens in Arran in the 60s, my grandmother had one.

[@dechenyangzom3226]

✨One of the best writers in Bhutan ✨

[@norkyeltseten3614]

Amazing story of Ashi Kunzang. Her story is similar to mine. I too was taken on horseback and a car from Shigatse, Tibet, via Sikkim to Kalimpong in 1958. I too studied in St Joseph's Convent and realised in later years that I went through cultural shock. I was terrified of the white faced Irish nuns covered in white and black gowns. Later years, I saw the transformation of Catholic nuns who discarded their white covering thus exposing their hair. It was amusing to see the nuns with blonde or dark brown or silver hair. A year or two later I was transferred to a boys' school, St Augustine's run by Swiss missionary in Kalimpong, India.

[@goanbingo]

came by your channel by chance through this vlog, and felt the urge to watch this vlog from start to finish. I have been to the commercial side of Bhutan in early May, 2019 and ever since my return back home in Goa-India, I have a pull to revisit Bhutan, and other places too. Bumthang is among them. Thank you for the beautiful vlog, and my best wishes to Ashi Kunzang Choden in her endeavours, and her long and blessed life.

[@AngelRPuente]

Many blessings for Ashi Kunzang Choden and for you Steve. This video is remarkable for it's visuals and for the testimony by Ashi. The possibility of a interreligious sharing between Catholicism and Buddhism seems clear. As a Christian that found in Buddhist practice the methodology that was lacking in my upbringing, I also couldn't help from noticing what was missing in the Buddhist traditions I encountered. I see a natural affinity in Tibetan Buddhism to aspects that are organic to Catholicism such as devotion, prayer and ritual. But not so much in other traditions. People seem to be trying to fill in the gaps with brahmavihara practices that echo central tenets of Christianity. Regretfully they are just given lip service by many Christians. I like to entertain the concept of collective unconscious that Carl Jung espoused. It seems to be a difficult enterprise to go against the collective unconscious to which one belongs but there is no impediment to enriching it with other knowledge. Ashi Kunzang Chodi seems to have realized this as she fully embraces her heritage.

[@stephenmcilroy7840]

Great talk! A very peaceful lady.

[@kuenzenono3584]

Always proud Bhutanese 🇧🇹 Thank you for sharing wonderful video to the world. Sending lots of love 💕

[@Alipef333]

Thank you so much for this wonderful interview to you both!

[@Bodhisattva13]

Wow.... Luckily i had an opportunity in around 2015 to visit this amazing and beautiful place... Although you have visited two storeys of Museum, there is beautiful room in the upper two storeys.... Could have been better if you had covered all.... Anyway thank you to both of you la 🙏🏻

[@thatgirlfrombhutan6493]

Thank you for such a wholesome interview, Steve.

[@axilleaskazuya5370]

Maaaaan, your going to very interesting places

[@DTTaTa]

Amazing bro. thank you

[@rabeabrok8323]

Looking forward to seeing this 🙂

[@indestructibleessence4771]

Facinating episode, the best ever. Remarkable

[@ArmyyMiarmyyy]

What a beautiful video thank you for visiting Bhutan! Much love from Bhutan

[@damoon2824]

Katinche Ashi la, such a privilege to see all those important, sacred paints and figures along with your thorough explanations which was so insightful.

[@zero-di5nv]

Love from Bhutan 🇧🇹 very beautiful video. ♥️

[@MindfulnessExercises]

I’m so happy for you both! Thank you for sharing!

[@pasangdolma5693]

Thank million 🙏🙏🙏

[@susanmills145]

Wonderful Footage. Ogyen Choling is a Gem and Ashi Choden a real Jewel.

[@luffydoracl9170]

Blessed la 😇to be able to listen such word of wisdom from ashi 🙏truly an honor .....n always hope to hear more laa☘️☘️☘️😇

[@RayLabs]

I love Bhutan, been there several times and can't wait to be able to return.

[@Rubashov9]

Very interesting interview!

[@radicalben1]

What a beatific Matriarch, Thank You!

[@BuddhaBlurbs]

What a wonderful lady....

[@bhutanesebeatboxer]

Wow Amazing!! 😍😍 Good story!! 👏 👏 👏 Keep going!! Best of luck!!😊 🤗

[@Sonamwangmosang]

Wow!!!

[@Walk27372y]

Thanks for visiting Bhutan

[@goldrop1000]

Kuzuzangpola Ashila and Guru viking, I really enjoyed the whole story and concept, kartin chey

[@sonamyangden955]

humble request la : please write a story for our little children about our own king and queen and our beautiful kingdom:)

[@barfungpacherry3582]

Wonderful hearing you Ashi Zig ze ... you were a beauty in your teenage days, My alte Amla found you very pretty when you walked arounf Lhendup Choeling in dear Kaleyphu ....

[@neemkantadangi.]

Amazing story lovely bhutan

[@RicardoMalbran]

VERY SATISFIED

[@puewang]

I’m going there when I visit bhutan this fall

[@santosjoaoferreira8335]

🙏 Nice ! very nice 👌 Thanks

[@georgevockroth8806]

Utterly charming.

[@babumanikuttan2258]

So beautiful

[@rakeshbodhkhampa-rbk6199]

respects to ashi la. love from India

[@gyurmethlodroe1774]

True Ashi

[@Darksagan]

Very cool.

[@_pazeamor]

Naquele dia você dirá: “Louvai ao Senhor, proclamai o Seu nome; fazei conhecido entre as nações o que Ele fez, e proclamai que o Seu nome é exaltado” (Isaías 12: 4) 💖

[@jamyangloden4935]

Watched your video from Kharchu Monastery, Bumthang.

[@raghavbhatt876]

Bhutan.. The Happiest place I ever visited... People are so kind always greeting everyone with smile. But during my visit I witnessed Bengali's making that place dirty. One can see the difference at border (Baag dogra- Phuentsholing). They throw trash anywhere but dustbins, start taking photos in the middle of roads, keep shouting at top of the voice, spit here and there, etc..

[@snpdorjee3847]

Lost in her words ! ✨🎐

[@beardh123]

What kind of awakening is she? :D Very impressive women!

[@sonamphuntsho2000]

❤❤❤

[@TigerLittle-nm5zv]

Amazing story , it would be nice if I meet her in realty for give her a respect with touch her feet 🌹🌹🌹

[@jaxonbrowne1273]

Goddess bless you homie.

[@themomohousebathurst5770]

Kyabsu Che !

[@tenzinthomasmasami]

Interesting Catholic Christian-Tibetan Buddhist bridge.

[@sonambhutia3567]

Very intresting and enlightening interview. Thank you. Any idea how I can visit the place...please share booking references.

[@indestructibleessence4771]

I have been to Bhutan 3 times and will visit again this year. How can i contact you please?

[@Spectre2434]

Pray To Tara 🙏🙏🙏!!!

[@deepvalley6698]

God, would I have loved to learn more about that Yak-Herder/Yogini she refers to at 1:05:00

[@lotsawapadmavimoksac.chico5610]

How difficult is it to visit Bhutan? Any tips or tricks? My lama is going and I would like to join….

[@chadorgyeltshen6788]

Book through one of the travel agencies

[@passangchangra5846]

It’s really inspiration to listen history of Bhutan‘s noble Family. I think ༼ Achi ཨ་ཕྱི་༽not ༼Ashi ཨ་ཤི་༽

[@Pureexhiliration]

Not it's Ashi, not the same as Achi (older sister in Tibetan?), In Bhutan, princesses are referred to as 'Ashi' and she was saying that in the older days women from Aristocratic families were also referred to the same way, although this is no longer the case.

[@puewang]

Guru n Viking .

[@yungdung8697]

She is mistaken between shamans and Bon !! Yungdung Bon has dept of teachings which she might be ignorant of.

[@factspoken9062]

It May not be true in your place, but in Bhutan we consider shamans as bons. And this interview is taken inside Bhutan. Not at your place. So keep your ego down. Try to see from other peoples point of view

[@kinleygyeltshen6494]

Cameraman could have made better focus when showing secret treasure and drawing. We are unable to see it clearly

[@TarnishedBuddha]

❤️🙏🙏❤️ How do I visit her?

[@timfoinc.6879]

Horse Riders finally settled in cliffs.

[@kevinjoseph517]

Too much wind..interview indoors is better.

[@kesangtobgay3380]

huut

[@pematenzin1716]

Translate to Tibetan .

[@dhurbaacharya5261]

bhutan india home india military guided bhutan because migration Tibetan Dress is Tibetan. Tibet of china. Refugee case has international. it is india home or china home no decided . it is not Royal.. bhutan cancel from the U N O . bhutan no Rights Nation. without india Result Refugee has international.

[@heyim]

You English very hard no understand. What you say hard like you

[@chericoto3770]

wow beautiful.....try doings some hiking trails video with @explorewithsonamjerry