The clash of ease and nerve

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Annual Darla Rimdro

In a thrilling break from regular maths tests, a one-day Darla School Rimdro was conducted at the Darla MPH on 17th March. The ritual, religiously branded as Tshogkhor—which roughly translates to “wish-fulfilling and well-being, terms and conditions apply”—was organized by the very same Darla School. Because nothing says “education” like a celestial wish-granting ceremony wedged between science period and lunch break.

The one-day spiritual extravaganza was presided over by His Lam Naten of Chukha Dzongkhag, who graciously agreed to oversee both the divine proceedings and the occasional wandering student.

During the ceremony, a full menu of rituals was served: butter lamps were lit (carbon footprint: minimal), Tshogkhor performed (wishes: pending), purification ritual conducted (souls: scrubbed), Tormas offered (artistic merit: high), and various other rites that kept the monks busy and the spectators respectfully confused.

As every good Buddhist knows, we are nature-worshippers who believe in divinity, the soul, and primordial energy. One highlight was Jingsey, a ritual designed to appease harmful evils, placate death spirits, and strengthen life. (Note: Death spirits, please stay placated.) This involved offering nine grains—rice, millet, wheat, maize, mustard, and several others that sound like a healthy breakfast bowl—plus flowers, fruits, and holy water. The deities, one assumes, appreciated the dietary variety.

In a move that would make modern wellness influencers proud, the celebration was simple and nature-friendly. Meat and alcohol were not served. Instead, attendees enjoyed butter tea, sugar tea, biscuits, and a pure vegetarian meal. Students were seen exchanging confused glances about the absence of momos.

Hundreds of devotees from Darla and nearby areas showed up to offer prayers at this annual Rimdro, presumably hoping for good grades, bumper harvests, or at least a day off from household chores.

The Rimdro was performed for the peace and well-being of the Darla family, the community, the King, the country, and the people.

By all accounts, the Rimdro was a success. This was due to the worthy efforts and cooperation of teachers, principals, students, and the community. Let’s be honest: it wouldn’t have been such a lavish Rimdro without the goodwill—and wallets—of the students’ parents. The school has a charming practice of collecting Nu. 100 from each student to fund the ritual. On top of that, many parents and teachers credibly brought both cash and kind. Contributions included firewood, sacks of rice, oil bottles, vegetables, juices, and dal.

One of the school Lopens, clearly warming to his theme, explained: “Rituals such as this have multiple functions in the family and in the culture. It is an effective agent in promoting family health and well-being. Not only that, rituals facilitate the transmission of values and beliefs. Rituals provide support and containment for strong emotions. Facilitation of coordination between individuals, families and communities.”

He added that rituals help families deal with transitions and losses, bring about healing, and transmit values from generation to generation. They are one avenue of strengthening families and creating an environment where personal well-being is enhanced. (Also, they’re a great excuse to get everyone in one room and remind them to be nice to each other.)

Lunch was served to students and the public. No reports of food fights or ritualistic rebellions was reported.

For entertainment, students performed songs and dances—presumably to refresh themselves after all that spiritual heavy lifting.

The ritual is held annually.

Some photographs of the Rimdro:

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Health in the School-Washing Water Tank by our Students

Let’s face it—no one wants to drink water that comes with free bonus flavors like old dust, mysterious residue, or the ghost of whatever the tank used to hold. That’s why we decided the tank must be cleaned. Not just “glance at it and hope for the best” cleaned, but properly, aggressively, scrub-until-your-arms-protest cleaned. The goal? To ensure that the water stored inside does not become a science experiment involving dirt or the faint, haunting traces of the tank’s previous contents.

So we rolled up our sleeves, channeled our inner neat-freaks, and scrubbed every single internal surface like our lives depended on it—because, technically, they do. Then, just to be thorough, we washed all internal surfaces again to remove every last trace of detergent, because no one wants bubble bath-flavored drinking water either.

The thrilling results? See the photos below, featuring our students bravely battling grime on 5th March 2016. Hygiene has never looked so heroic—or so sudsy.