Objectives
The establishment of a Dratshang proggram at Dorjitse Monastery is a small step initiated by Venerable Trulku Ngawang Jigme Namgyal towards fulfillment of the dual objectives of
Trulku believes that in practical terms, a good monk is actually the true and most effective upholder of Buddha’s teachings than a statue, scripture or a monument. A monk can become learned in Buddhist practices and then spread the Buddha’s teachings to near and far. In Bhutanese communities, every community needs the service of a qualified monk during the times of birth, sickness and death. Therefore, Trulku believes that through the establishment of this Dratshang, it will slowly contribute towards making more qualified monks available for communities to perform all religious rites as and when needed.
Trulku also hopes that the Dratshang (Monastic Institution) will grow steadily but successfully into a fully functioning Dharma Center one day and work together with the Central Monastic Body in upholding the Drukpa Kagyud teachings and practices as established by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who is mainly credited as unifying Bhutan in the earlier decades of the 17th century.
Ultimately, the Dharma Center’s vision is to become a vibrant community in a secluded and blessed locations and in perfect harmony with the natural environment around it. In addition to running a sustainable and successful monk body (Dratshang) program, the Center hopes to provide spiritual guidance to the elderlies (such as the retired or superannuated employees) so that they lead their later part of life in a relaxed, stress free and spiritually more rewarding environment.
The duration that a new monk will take to complete his complete training usually takes about 15 years. The first five years will be primarily based on teaching the students on basics of Buddhism, followed by another five years of higher learning (Sheydra) and finally another five years focused primarily on applying the theory into practice such as meditation practices (Gom Namlyen)
However, at present, the Dorjitse Dratshang Program is the main and most crucial activity of Darmadodey Foundation and therefore, every effort is needed to ensure not only the expansion but also, crucially, the sustainability of the program.
Since it is a fully boarded system like any other boarding based education or training system in Bhutan, the monk students are being provided with free basic necessities such as food, lodge and trainings. Currently, there are 24 novice monk students with four teachers, a Principal and a few support staff. Our wish list now includes proper hall for the rituals, a decent boarding facility for these novice monks and fund for operating expenses. This is where any individual with any kind of donation either small or big can contribute directly towards the successful education and training of these monk students (as well as all future monks) at Dorjitse Monastery.
