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| Choshum |
A two-day
Darla school Rimdo was conducted in Darla MPH hall. The Rimdo, religiously
named as Jingsey, the fire rite was organized by Darla
School and was conducted jointly by Darla school and the community of Darla.
The
two-day ritual was presided over by His Eminence Tshugla Lopen Samten Dorji.
During the ceremony, various rituals
such as the lighting of butter lamps, Tshogkhor(Wish-fulfilling ritual),
purification ritual,
Tormas, Jingsey(Fire), and others were conducted.
Buddhists are nature-worshippers and
believe in divinity, the soul and the primordial energy form. Jingsey is one
such ritual, which will appease harmful evils and placate death spirits and
strengthen life. We perform rituals by offering nine grains like rice, millet,
wheat, maize, mustard, etc, flowers, fruits, and holy water to their deities.
The celebration was very simple,
nature-friendly as meat and alcohol items were not served. Students and the public
were served butter tea, sugar tea, biscuit, and pure vegetable meals on the first
day.
Thousand
of devotees from Darla and nearby vicinities offer prayers at the annual Rimdo.
On the second day, His eminence
graced the place and blessed (Wang) thousands of people. Thousands of devotees
and religious-minded people, some as far as Arikha and Phuntsholing came to revere.
The Rimdo was performed for the
peace and well-being of the Darla family, the community, the King, the country
and the people.
The Rimdo was a successful one, and it was
due to the worthy efforts and cooperation rendered by all the individuals'
teachers, principals, students, and the community. It wouldn’t have been a lavish
Rimdo if it was not goodwill support from the students’ parents. As informed
on Parents -teachers’ Meeting for any kind of donations; many parents credibly brought
both cash and kind. Sacks of rice bags, oil bottles, vegetables,
juices, dals, etc piled up in the school store. Thousands of Ngultrum were
offered as donations and were collected from the students, parents, teachers’
devotees.
“Rituals such as this have multiple
functions in the family and in the culture,” says one of the Lopens. “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.
Rituals are
important and useful ways of assisting individuals and families in dealing with
transitions and losses, bringing about healing and transmitting values from
generation to generation. It's an effective avenue of
strengthening families and creating an environment where personal well-being is
enhanced.
Songs and dances were also performed
in the evening to refresh and entertain themselves.
The ritual is being held annually.
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| Lama Rinpochea |
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| Jingsey in Progress |
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| The Wang |
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| Outside View |
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| Too many cooks spoil the broth |
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| Students waiting for lunch |
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| Our Chief Guests |
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| Torma...A dog and a child...it's not a safe place to be in |
