The True Son of a Lion
Lopen Pemala, an 83-year-old historian and scholar, remembers when His Majesty delivered his first speech to the National Assembly at the age of 16, “We came away surprised and deeply moved by his words. Here was a true leader. His Majesty showed himself to be the true son of a lion.”Lopen Pemala, now in permanent Buddhist practice, describe His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck as a monarch who embraces religion and all that is good (Choe len) to benefit everyone. “His Majesty has demonstrated that he thinks and lives only for the benefit of the people, and because of that, His Majesty has an auspicious and strong aura that has helped to dispel ill fortune from Bhutan. Because of these good deeds, His Majesty will live happily.”
Lopen Pemala believes that the fourth Druk Gyalpo has a natural inner aptitude for spirituality and has been identified by great dharma teachers like Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as a Bodhisattva. “His Majesty’s initiatives show his dedication to the spiritual path. In the past, monks had to go around begging for food; His Majesty has given the monk body security and allowed spiritual practice to flourish. He ahs been responsible for the establishment of the shedras and drubdras, and the support has enabled so many people to practice Buddhism and to generate well-being.”
On the process of democratization that the fourth Druk Gyalpo has initiated, Lopen Pemala says, “We know that the fourth Druk Gyalpo thinks only of the welfare and benefit of our people. If your thoughts are good, then the place and the path you take can only be good.”
Lopen Pemala, Retired Nimalung Monastery, Bumthang
Source: The Legacy of a King