The Four Harmonious Friends, Essence of Bhutanese Culture

The Buddhist Channel, 17 July 2023

Timphu, Bhutan -- As you journey through enchanting Bhutan, from the humble abodes to the sacred monasteries and majestic dzongs, you will encounter a common and recurring symbol - the painting of the "Four Harmonious Friends". Whether adorning the walls of a home or gracing the intricate fabric of a Thangka, this image, known as Thunpa Puen Zhi, offers a glimpse into the heart of Bhutanese culture. However, behind its ubiquity lies a deeper meaning that often goes unnoticed.

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Zilukha Lhakhang - Gem of a Sacred Temple in Thimphu

by Dorji Wangchuk (PhD), The Buddhist Channel, 31 May 2023

Thimphu, Bhutan -- Bhutan is a land filled with temples, known as lhakhangs, and monasteries (goemba or gonpa), most of which are located on high spectacular mountain ridges, such as Taktshang, the Tiger’s Nest. While not grand as Dzongs (traditional Bhutanese fortresses, which now serves as administrative centres and monasteries), lhakhangs and goembas functions not only as religious centres, they also play an important role as community centres as almost all village social and cultural functions events are held there.

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Bhutan’s Unique Buddhist Culture Has Tourism Potential

By Kalinga Seneviratne, IDN-InDepthNews, 11 May 2023 (IDN/LCN)

SINGAPORE | THIMPHU -- A recent visit by a group of Vietnamese Buddhists to learn and experience the Mahayana tradition of Buddhism has alerted the Bhutan authorities to the potential of Buddhist cultural tourism to one of the world’s most scenic countries landlocked between India and China in the Himalayan mountains.

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Time for a closer look at universal human values

by Yangse Drubgyud Tenzin, Kuensel Online, July 29, 2017

Timphu, Bhutan -- In the past 20 years, our small country has been bombarded with modern influences from television to cell phones, the Internet, celebrities, fashions, superhero models, advertising, and news sound-bites.

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Bhutan: A Buddhist Development Model Worth Emulating

by the Venerable Dr Omalpe Sobhitha Mahathera, InDepthNews, 19 July 2017

ENBILIPITIYA, Sri Lanka -- There will be many answers to the question: which is the country where the happiest people live? In response many famous, developed nations will come to mind, but you will be surprised that the name of a little-known country could be the right answer to this question. It is Bhutan, the wonderful and amazing country that beats all others on the happiness index.

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