Dr. Karma Phuntsho, a former monk, is a Bhutanese scholar who specializes in Bhutan, Buddhism, Tibetan and Himalayan studies. He has a D.Phil. in Oriental Studies from Oxford University. He has also worked as a research fellow at Cambridge University and CNRS, Paris. His book “The History of Bhutan” has...
Bhutan is among the blessed nations that have seasonal diversity. You can notice the different months of winter, summer, fall, and spring, making the climate in Bhutan mesmerizing and a perfect destination to visit. Springtime in Bhutan is a botanist’s delight as rhododendrons, wild azaleas and wildflowers including the edelweiss cover...
In Bhutan, paintings are executed to express devotion. So, one way or the other, representation in Bhutanese art is a dramatization of the struggle between good and evil. According to Bhutanese tradition, art has more to do with interpreting values rather than describing facts. An artist’s aim, by the symbolic...
Ever wondered during your trip why the Bhutanese are so very courteous? Well, that’s because certain norms like Driglam Namzha (the traditional code of etiquette) is steeped in Bhutanese culture. Drig denotes order, norm and conformity. Thus, Driglam literally means the way of having order and conformity while Namzha refers...
Bhutanese mountains have for centuries been sites for pilgrimages and home to prominent gurus. Sometimes, serving as natural barriers against marauding invaders, the mountains have always protected the Bhutanese. In turn, the Bhutanese, too, have always believed that the mountains are the abode of deities and have thus protected them....
