Ep152: Voice of Bhutan - Ashi Kunzang Choden

Ойын-сауық

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 KZread, 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/

Пікірлер: 89

  • @kesango.bhutia6580
    @kesango.bhutia65802 жыл бұрын

    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
    @Thuksey2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @petereglington931
    @petereglington9312 жыл бұрын

    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 ...❤️🙏🙏❤️

  • @tamdindorji1117
    @tamdindorji11172 жыл бұрын

    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
    @Pureexhiliration2 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @ngoduptibettenzin2664
    @ngoduptibettenzin2664 Жыл бұрын

    She sound very kind and genuine. Thank you.!

  • @manali11
    @manali112 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @travellerc5117
    @travellerc51172 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @aressto
    @aressto2 жыл бұрын

    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

    @nihjki2662

    Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @mitrchitrudi-amphai3160
    @mitrchitrudi-amphai3160 Жыл бұрын

    Glad+Happy to hear your voice!

  • @j.s.-tcm5813
    @j.s.-tcm58132 жыл бұрын

    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. ❤

  • @toothlessanaconda8719
    @toothlessanaconda87192 жыл бұрын

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

  • @dechenyangzom3226
    @dechenyangzom32262 жыл бұрын

    ✨One of the best writers in Bhutan ✨

  • @imgelcen2250
    @imgelcen22502 жыл бұрын

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

  • @AngelRPuente
    @AngelRPuente2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @norkyeltseten3614
    @norkyeltseten36142 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @Alipef333
    @Alipef3332 жыл бұрын

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

  • @davidsillars3181
    @davidsillars31812 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @stephenmcilroy7840
    @stephenmcilroy78402 жыл бұрын

    Great talk! A very peaceful lady.

  • @goanbingo
    @goanbingo2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @rabeabrok8323
    @rabeabrok83232 жыл бұрын

    Looking forward to seeing this 🙂

  • @thatgirlfrombhutan6493
    @thatgirlfrombhutan64932 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for such a wholesome interview, Steve.

  • @kuenzenono3584
    @kuenzenono35842 жыл бұрын

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

  • @ArmyyMiarmyyy
    @ArmyyMiarmyyy2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @DTTaTa
    @DTTaTa2 жыл бұрын

    Amazing bro. thank you

  • @damoon2824
    @damoon28242 жыл бұрын

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

  • @MindfulnessExercises
    @MindfulnessExercises2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @zero-di5nv
    @zero-di5nv2 жыл бұрын

    Love from Bhutan 🇧🇹 very beautiful video. ♥️

  • @axilleaskazuya5370
    @axilleaskazuya53702 жыл бұрын

    Maaaaan, your going to very interesting places

  • @Bodhisattva13
    @Bodhisattva132 жыл бұрын

    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 🙏🏻

  • @luffydoracl9170
    @luffydoracl91702 жыл бұрын

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

  • @RayLabs
    @RayLabs2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @indestructibleessence4771
    @indestructibleessence47716 ай бұрын

    Facinating episode, the best ever. Remarkable

  • @pasangdolma5693
    @pasangdolma56932 жыл бұрын

    Thank million 🙏🙏🙏

  • @susanmills145
    @susanmills1454 ай бұрын

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

  • @Rubashov9
    @Rubashov92 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting interview!

  • @bhutanesebeatboxer
    @bhutanesebeatboxer2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @Sonamwangmosang
    @Sonamwangmosang2 жыл бұрын

    Wow!!!

  • @radicalben1
    @radicalben1 Жыл бұрын

    What a beatific Matriarch, Thank You!

  • @Walk27372y
    @Walk27372y2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for visiting Bhutan

  • @BuddhaBlurbs
    @BuddhaBlurbs2 жыл бұрын

    What a wonderful lady....

  • @barfungpacherry3582
    @barfungpacherry35822 жыл бұрын

    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 ....

  • @sonamyangden955
    @sonamyangden9552 жыл бұрын

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

  • @puewang
    @puewang2 жыл бұрын

    I’m going there when I visit bhutan this fall

  • @gyurmethlodroe1774
    @gyurmethlodroe17742 жыл бұрын

    True Ashi

  • @neemkantadangi.
    @neemkantadangi. Жыл бұрын

    Amazing story lovely bhutan

  • @georgevockroth8806
    @georgevockroth88062 жыл бұрын

    Utterly charming.

  • @santosjoaoferreira8335
    @santosjoaoferreira8335 Жыл бұрын

    🙏 Nice ! very nice 👌 Thanks

  • @RicardoMalbran
    @RicardoMalbran4 ай бұрын

    VERY SATISFIED

  • @Darksagan
    @Darksagan Жыл бұрын

    Very cool.

  • @rakeshbodhkhampa-rbk6199
    @rakeshbodhkhampa-rbk6199 Жыл бұрын

    respects to ashi la. love from India

  • @raghavbhatt876
    @raghavbhatt8762 жыл бұрын

    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..

  • @babumanikuttan2258
    @babumanikuttan22582 жыл бұрын

    So beautiful

  • @_pazeamor
    @_pazeamor10 ай бұрын

    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) 💖

  • @goldrop1000
    @goldrop10005 ай бұрын

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

  • @snpdorjee3847
    @snpdorjee38472 жыл бұрын

    Lost in her words ! ✨🎐

  • @jamyangloden4935
    @jamyangloden49352 жыл бұрын

    Watched your video from Kharchu Monastery, Bumthang.

  • @sonamphuntsho2000
    @sonamphuntsho20009 ай бұрын

    ❤❤❤

  • @beardh123
    @beardh1232 жыл бұрын

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

  • @themomohousebathurst5770
    @themomohousebathurst57702 жыл бұрын

    Kyabsu Che !

  • @jaxonbrowne1273
    @jaxonbrowne1273 Жыл бұрын

    Goddess bless you homie.

  • @TigerLittle-nm5zv
    @TigerLittle-nm5zv Жыл бұрын

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

  • @sonambhutia3567
    @sonambhutia35672 жыл бұрын

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

  • @tenzinthomasmasami
    @tenzinthomasmasami8 ай бұрын

    Interesting Catholic Christian-Tibetan Buddhist bridge.

  • @Spectre2434
    @Spectre2434 Жыл бұрын

    Pray To Tara 🙏🙏🙏!!!

  • @puewang
    @puewang2 жыл бұрын

    Guru n Viking .

  • @indestructibleessence4771
    @indestructibleessence47716 ай бұрын

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

  • @deepvalley6698
    @deepvalley6698 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @passangchangra5846
    @passangchangra58462 жыл бұрын

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

  • @Pureexhiliration

    @Pureexhiliration

    2 жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @lotsawapadmavimoksac.chico5610
    @lotsawapadmavimoksac.chico5610 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @chadorgyeltshen6788

    @chadorgyeltshen6788

    Жыл бұрын

    Book through one of the travel agencies

  • @timfoinc.6879
    @timfoinc.6879 Жыл бұрын

    Horse Riders finally settled in cliffs.

  • @yungdung8697
    @yungdung86972 жыл бұрын

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

  • @factspoken9062

    @factspoken9062

    9 ай бұрын

    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

  • @TarnishedBuddha
    @TarnishedBuddha2 жыл бұрын

    ❤️🙏🙏❤️ How do I visit her?

  • @kesangtobgay3380
    @kesangtobgay3380 Жыл бұрын

    huut

  • @kevinjoseph517
    @kevinjoseph517 Жыл бұрын

    Too much wind..interview indoors is better.

  • @kinleygyeltshen6494
    @kinleygyeltshen64942 жыл бұрын

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

  • @pematenzin1716
    @pematenzin1716 Жыл бұрын

    Translate to Tibetan .

  • @dhurbaacharya5261
    @dhurbaacharya52612 жыл бұрын

    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

    @heyim

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @chericoto3770
    @chericoto37702 жыл бұрын

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

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