Our trip started off flying from Hong Kong to Bangkok, Thailand, where we stayed for a night before catching an early morning flight to Paro, Bhutan. As soon as I stepped out of the plane, I was baffled by the lack of development and how simple the airport was. Immediately, I registered was how crisp and fresh the air was. I later found out that Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world that is carbon negative, which in essence means that it takes in more greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere than it emits—an incredible feat in today’s world.
Walking down onto the tarmac, I realised that the airport was nestled in between a valley full of trees and vast woodlands. At the arrivals hall, two tour guides in vibrant traditional gho robes welcomed us to their homeland. We spent a couple of days travelling around cities and villages, visiting monasteries and landmarks, and trying unique dishes such as ema datshi, Bhutan’s national spicy dish consisting of large, green chilli peppers in a cheesy sauce.
Every morning, for two hours, we would practice meditation and learn about Buddhist teachings with an articulate master. As the author of Mindful Living in Bhutan and the director of the National Museum of Bhutan, Khenpo Phuntshok Tashi has been instructing meditation and Buddhism for more than 17 years. He taught us the philosophy and the importance of the seven pillars of mindfulness, enlightenment, and happiness.
Over the course of his lessons, what struck me the most was his comment about having materialistic thoughts. In Buddhist philosophy, one seeks enlightenment by freeing one's mind from such thoughts of physical possessions, as it is believed that material things only provide physical comfort, not mental comfort. Therefore, he and many other Buddhist scholars believe that being mindful and compassionate, through the practice of meditation, is the best medicine for good health. This is not only reflected through the khenpo’s teachings but is prevalent all over the country. When interacting with locals, their humble and joyful acts, such as modest and respectful greetings, resonate with what the khenpo has taught us during his morning sessions.