In this episode I travel to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, where I visit world renowned Bhutanese author Ashi Kunzang Choden at her family seat of Ogyen Choling in the Tang Valley, Bumthang.

Ashi gives a tour of her home, which her family have occupied for hundreds of years, including a rare look into a remarkable multi-story temple with rich religious frescos, sacred artefacts, and entire floors dedicated to Tara and Guru Rinpoche.

Ashi also recounts her remarkable life that embodies so much of Bhutan’s recent history.

Ashi was born into a family of feudal lords, witnessed the reformations of the 1950s, was educated in Catholic convents in India, and worked for the United Nations, before returning to her family home which she now runs as a cultural centre and guest house.

Ashi also recalls the spiritual advice given to her by Dudjom Rinpoche, reveals why her exposure to Christianity opened her up to the heart of Buddhism, and discusses the impact of feminist thought on her perspective of Bhutanese culture and her place in it.

…

Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/152-voice-of-bhutan-ashi-kunzang-choden

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:13 - About Ogyen Choling

04:53 - Entering the temple

06:15 - The main temple featuring Buddha Shakyamuni, Dorje Lingpa, & Longchenpa

08:55 - Bardo Thodol fresco

09:28 - Sacred relics

12:49 - Frescoes of Guru Rinpoche and Kalachakra Shambala

16:53 - The Tara temple with unique family statues

18:36 - Frescos of the 84 Mahasiddhas, Avalokiteshvara, & the Buddha

20:44 - History of Ashi’s family temple

22:26 - Preservation of Dorje Lingpa’s texts

26:43 - Tour of the family museum

28:14 - About the local spirits

30:48 - Pre-reformation life of self-sufficiency

32:44 - Effects of global warming on crops

35:14 - Rice, grain, and alcohol practices

38:16 - History of Ashi’s family

42:44 - Ashi’s memories of Bhutan’s reformations

46:43 - Education at Catholic convents for 11 years

50:28 - Opening to Buddhism to through Christianity

53:41 - Meetings with great Lamas and the advice of Dudjom Rinpoche

01:00:03 - Ashi on feminism

01:06:28 - Ashi’s writing career

01:11:19 - Ashi’s closing remarks 

…

To find out more about Ashi Kunzang Choden, visit:

- https://www.olingheritagehouse.com/about

- https://www.riyangbooks.com/

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James