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Deconstructing Androcentrism in Buddhist Literature Through the Lens of Ethnography: a Case Study of Bhutanese Nuns
KEMANUSIAAN Vol. 25, Supp. 1, (2018), 143–165 Deconstructing Androcentrism in Buddhist Literature Through the Lens of Ethnography: A Case Study of Bhutanese Nuns *SONAM WANGMO JULI EDO KAMAL SOLHAIMI FADZIL Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia *Corresponding author: [email protected] Published online: 20 December 2018 To cite this article: Wangmo, S., Edo, J. and Fadzil, K.S. 2018. Deconstructing androcentrism in Buddhist literature through the lens of ethnography: A case study of Bhutanese nuns. KEMANUSIAAN the Asian Journal of Humanities 25(Supp. 1): 143–165, https://doi.org/10.21315/ kajh2018.25.s1.8 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.21315/kajh2018.25.s1.8 Abstract. Traditional androcentric sociology has reinforced biased views of women and portrayed women as silent research objects of minor importance that figure marginally in academic writing, thereby distorting the knowledge base. The same tendencies have been observed in Buddhist religious literature. The bone of contention in the feminist critique of Buddhism is the omission of women from religious literature. Although Buddhist women’s spiritual prowess was well documented in early Buddhism in religious literature such as the Therīgatha, later Buddhist literature began to demonstrate androcentric tendencies, in most instances completely ignoring the religious lives of women. Since women have been largely sidelined in Buddhist texts, it is important to go beyond textual dimensions to gain deeper insights into women’s religious lives. The feminist Buddhist scholar, Rita Gross (2009), in her monumental work, A Garland of Feminist Reflections, emphasised the need to explore various ways other than our own to think, live and practice religion to broaden our horizons to avoid a narrow-minded approach to academic research. -
United Nations Bhutan Covid-19 Sitrep #3
BRIEF UNITED NATIONS BHUTAN COVID-19 SITREP #3 UPDATE 30 July 2020 Highlight of Key UN Achievements and Advocacy Messages Given the scale of this global COVID challenge, our world may need to go beyond simple categories of either optimism or pessimism. UN Bhutan is responding to the immediate needs of the people; the needs of the most vulnerable while strengthening economic resilience and building longer-term human capital in a comprehensive way so that we find new ways to ‘Build Back Better’. - Gerald Daly, UN Resident Coordinator, Bhutan One UN The Government of Bhutan is closely monitoring the coronavirus pandemic and while 101 cases have been confirmed in Bhutan, all were imported, and no deaths have been reported. While the health impact has so far been limited as compared to many other countries, the economic and social effects are significant. The health sector would be challenged to cope with a major outbreak and a possible stock out of essential health commodities such as drugs, reagents and consumables. An extended period of limited movement of people, goods, and finances will have important consequences for the economy, especially the tourism sector and related service industries. Bhutan is also likely to be negatively affected by any extended economic downturn in its neighbors (especially India). The UN in Bhutan (FAO, IFAD, ITC, UNDP, UNESCAP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNODC, WFP, and WHO) moved quickly and pro-actively to respond to COVID-19. In particular, UN agencies developed a joint response framework aligned with “UN Framework for the Socio-Economic Response to COVID-19” includes both short-term measures to mitigate negative social and economic consequences along with medium- to long-term investments to strengthen the re-build and resilience to future crises. -
Monthly E-Newsletter of the Embassy of India, Thimphu
9/7/2020 BILATERAL: Covid-19 RT-PCR test kits to Bhutan | elink Monthly E-Newsletter of the Embassy of India in Thimphu AUGUST 2020 September 3, 2020 Dear Reader, I am delighted to present the {rst monthly e-newsletter of the Embassy of India in Thimphu! This newsletter will capture our activities in Bhutan, key developments in India and of course, heart- warming stories of community and companionship. August is, of course, a special month for us as we celebrated India's 74th Independence Day. The warm messages we received from Bhutan are an indication of the strong bonds we share, not just at the political level, but also at a personal one. The Government of India launched a slew of development initiatives in August 2020 in the areas of education, agriculture, taxation, and health, all aimed at helping India achieve self- reliance: ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’. We hope you enjoy reading this {rst edition of our monthly e-newsletter. Tashi Delek! Jai Hind! - Ruchira Kamboj, Ambassador of India to Bhutan https://elink.io/p/india-in-bhutan-984c310 1/18 9/7/2020 BILATERAL: Covid-19 RT-PCR test kits to Bhutan | elink indembthimphu.gov.in BILATERAL: Covid-19 RT-PCR test kits to Bhutan 17 August 2020: The Government of India handed over the 6th consignment of medical supplies with 20,000 Covid-19 RT-PCR tests to the Royal Government of Bhutan, at Phuentsholing, to assist Bhutan in {ghting the Covid-19 pandemic. Going forward, India will continue to extend all possible support to Bhutan to minimize the health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. -
The Executive
The Executive VOLUME I NOVEMBER 7, 2018 - NOVEMBER 7, 2019 YEAR IN OFFICE Laying foundation for change 1,000 Golden Days Plus Digital transformation Removal of “cut Teachers, the Narrowing gap Densa Meet: off” for Class X highest paid civil through pay the other servant revision Mines and Cabinet Minerals Bill AM with PM: Getting to know Revising Tourism policy 9 better Tariff revision Private sector Policies development approved committee Laying foundation for change “Climb higher on the shoulders of past achievements - your task is not to fill old shoes or follow a well-trodden path, but to forge a new road leading towards a brighter future.” His Majesty The King Royal Institute of Management August 9, 2019 Contents • Introduction 8 • From the Prime Minister 10 • Initiating change 13 • Country before party 14 • Revisiting our vision 15 • The 12th Plan is critical 18 • The Nine Thrusts 19 • Densa, the other Cabinet 22 • High value, low volume tourism 22 • More focus on health and education 24 • AM with PM: A dialogue with the Prime Minister 25 • Investing in our children 26 • Pay revised to close gap 27 • Rewarding the backbone of education 28 • Taking APA beyond formalities 29 • Block grant empowers LG 30 • Major tax reforms 30 • TVET transforms 31 • Cautious steps in hydro 32 • Encouraging responsible journalism 32 • Private sector-led economy 33 • Meeting pledges 34 • Policies Approved 36 • Guidelines reviewed and adopted 37 • Overhauling health 38 • A fair chance for every Bhutanese child 41 • Education comes first 42 • Grateful -
Ngoedrup-Tse Dzong: Chhukha
༆ དཔལ་辡ན་འབྲུག་ག筴ང་། རྫོང་ཁག་བདག་སྐྱོང་། ད፼ས་གྲུབ་རྩེ་རྫོང་། ᭴་ཁ། ROYAL GOVERNMENT OF BHUTAN DZONGKHAG ADMINISTRATION Ngoedrup-Tse Dzong: Chhukha The Ngoedrup-Tse Bi-Annual Newsletter Volume I Issue I Inside Story > Ngoedrup-Tse “Ngoedrup-Tse” literally meaning the pinnacle of blessing, Ngoedrup-Tse >Page 1 Birth Day Celebration of His Majesty is the name given to the newest Chhukha Dzong during the Druk Gyalpo >Page 2 the consecration ceremony by His Holiness Trulku Jigme Chhukha People Elect their NC Choda, the 70th Je Khenpo of Bhutan. Magnificently and Member > Page2 Bayulkunza Gets Suspension Bridge >Page 2 architecturally built Dzong, the first of it kind in the country, Waste Management Program. >Page 3 was graciously unveiled the inauguration plaque by Her Lone Tsimalakha`s Barber. >Page3 Community Artificial Insemination Majesty the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck on March Training. >Page 4 9,2012. Farmers Cooperatives Study Tour >Page 4 An Organic Agriculture Project for Sustainable Livelihood >Page 4 White Button Mushroom Cultivation – An Initiation in Chhukha >Page 5 Pineapple Marketing–Pride of Shakhu Village >Page 5 Internet Connectivity in BHUs and Schools. >Page 5 Observation of Social Forestry Day >Page 6 Nipah Virus Screening Programme . >Page 6 Zepa- Chu -Nye Throngdrel at Dokhachu Goenpa >Page 6 Poultry Farming at Logchina Lower Secondary School. >Page 7 Wangdigatshel Primary School- the first in Bhtuan receive Earthquake resilient desk >Page 7 Popularly known for its Darla and Chhukha Hydro Power The Potluck Pogramme in Ngoedrup- Projects, the Dzongkhag is also the main entry point of Tse’s Campus >Page 8 Priority Sector Lending Programme all imports and commercial hub of the country. -
Weekly Newsletter
September 15, 2019 The Royal Academy Weekly Newsletter Vol. 1, Issue XXIII Synergy In this Issue: Obstacle course with Wangsel Institute| Sonam Chogyal, Jimi Pfinso and Tenzin Tshering(Grade IX) Dasho Sonam Kinga|Jimmy Pelbar(Grade X) Space Engineer Mrs Yeshey Choden| Nendra Wangchuk A different life| Ugyen Tshering(Grade IX) Interview| Ambassador Ruchira Khamboj (Sangay Choden Grade X) Interview|Ms Tashi Chenzom(Jamyang Ugyen Tshomo Grade X) September 15, 2019 Obstacle course with Wangsel Institute Sonam Chogyal, Jimi Pfinso and Tenzin Tsheringl(Grade IX) On Sunday we had a great time with the students from Wangsel. It was a first for all the students of The Royal Academy as we interacted with our differently abled friends from Wangsel. As the buses from Wangsel arrived we were very excited. We wanted to learn new things and show off what all we have learnt during our Friday learning experiences. The Wangsel students which are in class pp- three also joined the events taking place at our school. The smile on their faces were as bright as sun flower and the way they did the obstacle was in many ways far better than most of us as they always gave their one hundred percent which is in line with our school philosophy “ Be the best you can be”. September 15, 2019 We thoroughly enjoyed our day with them and found many new teamwork skills within us. Communicating with them taught us new things and it also strengthened our sign language skills. They gave it their best. We were able to share thoughts and ideas with them with ease after a few hours with them. -
General Assembly Official Records Seventy-Fourth Session
United Nations A/74/ PV.11 General Assembly Official Records Seventy-fourth session 11th plenary meeting Saturday, 28 September 2019, 9 a.m. New York President: Mr. Muhammad-Bande ................................. (Nigeria) In the absence of the President, identified for the general debate is relevant to me and Mr. Verdier (Argentina), Vice-President, took my country. the Chair. In order to narrow the gap, all our initiatives and decisions are focused on uplifting the poor. We The meeting was called to order at 9 a.m. are convinced that it is only through quality health care and relevant education that we can eradicate Agenda item 8 (continued) poverty in all its forms in the most sustainable General debate manner. Our Constitution mandates free health care and education for all Bhutanese. Although we are a Address by Mr. Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister resource-constrained country, our leaders have always of the Kingdom of Bhutan insisted on strengthening the social sector. It is an investment. As we all know, it is never an expenditure. The Acting President (spoke in Spanish): The I am happy to share that, in July, my Government made Assembly will now hear an address by the Prime teachers the highest-paid civil servants in Bhutan. Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan. We aspire to motivate teachers and attract the best Mr. Lotay Tshering, Prime Minister of the Kingdom and the brightest to that noble profession. It is only of Bhutan, was escorted to the rostrum. through investment in teachers that we can bring about significant improvement in the quality of education. -
Recent Bhutanese Scholarship in History and Anthropology
Recent Bhutanese Scholarship in History and Anthropology Francoise Pommaret∗ This paper would like to present the recent scholarship on Bhutan by the Bhutanese themselves and to show that the studies of these scholars are the offsprings of a long tradition of Bhutanese scholarship but that they also demonstrate new trends, which are in tune with the socio-cultural changes in the country. My topic today is Bhutanese scholarship1 in what are generally called "the Human Sciences", that is history and anthropology, but will not deal with sociology, political studies, development studies or religious studies, fields in themselves. In brief reference to this last discipline, suffice it to mention here Khenpo Phuntsho Tashi, assistant director of the National Museum, Karma Wangchuk, who works at the National Library in Thimphu, and Karma Phuntsho in Oxford and Dorji Wangchuk in Hamburg, both doing their Ph. Ds. Largely bibliographical, this paper will also fully indicate the recent Bhutanese publications to interested researchers. The mentions of publications, which are often too unknown outside Bhutan because of problems of distribution, therefore aim at broadening the scientific knowledge of Bhutan on specific subjects. While ethno-history and anthropology,2 are still in their infancy in Bhutan - I will come back to that subject a little later - history has always been one of the subjects that has made Bhutanese scholars famous among academics working on the Himalayas and Tibet. Their contribution, not only to the history of Bhutan but to the history of the Himalayan region as well, is very important. Among the many scholars of past centuries, there are a number we can name more particularly: the 4th Je Khenpo, Ngawang Lhungrub3 who wrote the monumental biography of the 4th Desi, Tenzin Rabgye; the ∗ Centre for National Scientific Research, Paris 128 Recent Bhutanese Scholarship in History and Anthropology 13th Je Khenpo, Yonten Thaye, who wrote the biography of the 10th Je Khenpo Tenzin Chogyal and that of the 13th Desi, Sherab Wangchuk. -
Bhutan 2013 International Religious Freedom Report
BHUTAN 2013 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT Executive Summary The constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom, but in practice, the government limited this freedom by curtailing religious activity that it believed interfered with the country’s identity and stability. The government made statements promoting religious tolerance, especially of Christians. The government continued to deny members of the clergy voting rights and the right to run for public office, a practice the government defended as necessary because of the strict constitutional separation of religion from politics. There were reports of societal discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice, including in rural areas and in schools. There was societal pressure on non-Buddhists to uphold the “Buddhist spiritual heritage” of the country, including participating in Buddhist prayers and rituals. There are no formal diplomatic relations between the United States and the government, although informal relations are coordinated through the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and through Bhutan’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York. The U.S. government continued to encourage the government to uphold human rights and religious freedom as part of its democratization process. U.S. officials raised issues of religious freedom with government officials. Section I. Religious Demography The U.S. government estimates the total population at 725,000 (July 2013 estimate). According to a U.S. government estimate, approximately 75 percent of the population practices Drukpa Kagyu or Nyingmapa Buddhism, both of which are disciplines of Mahayana Buddhism. The Nepali-speaking minority includes a small number of Christians and Buddhists, although most are Hindu. -
Bhutan's Political Transition –
Spotlight South Asia Paper Nr. 2: Bhutan’s Political Transition – Between Ethnic Conflict and Democracy Author: Dr. Siegried Wolf (Heidelberg) ISSN 2195-2787 1 SSA ist eine regelmäßig erscheinende Analyse- Reihe mit einem Fokus auf aktuelle politische Ereignisse und Situationen Südasien betreffend. Die Reihe soll Einblicke schaffen, Situationen erklären und Politikempfehlungen geben. SSA is a frequently published analysis series with a focus on current political events and situations concerning South Asia. The series should present insights, explain situations and give policy recommendations. APSA (Angewandte Politikwissenschaft Südasiens) ist ein auf Forschungsförderung und wissenschaftliche Beratung ausgelegter Stiftungsfonds im Bereich der Politikwissenschaft Südasiens. APSA (Applied Political Science of South Asia) is a foundation aiming at promoting science and scientific consultancy in the realm of political science of South Asia. Die Meinungen in dieser Ausgabe sind einzig die der Autoren und werden sich nicht von APSA zu eigen gemacht. The views expressed in this paper are solely the views of the authors and are not in any way owned by APSA. Impressum: APSA Im Neuehnheimer Feld 330 D-69120 Heidelberg [email protected] www.apsa.info 2 Acknowledgment: The author is grateful to the South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF), Brussels for the extended support on this report. 3 Bhutan ’ s Political Transition – Between Ethnic Conflict and Democracy Until recently Bhutan (Drukyul - Land of the Thunder Dragon) did not fit into the story of the global triumph of democracy. Not only the way it came into existence but also the manner in which it was interpreted made the process of democratization exceptional. As a land- locked country which is bordered on the north by Tibet in China and on the south by the Indian states Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, it was a late starter in the process of state-building. -
DRMS Assumes Great Significance
Disaster Risk Management Strategy “Safe, Resilient and Happy Bhutan” Department of Disaster Management Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs Royal Government of Bhutan 1 List of Acronyms ADB Asian Development Bank ADPC Asian Disaster Preparedness Center AI Avian Influenza BCCI Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry BDA Bhutan Disaster Assessment BHU Basic Health Unit BSB Bhutan Standards Bureau CBDRM Community-Based Disaster Risk Management CC Climate Change CCA Climate Change Adaptation CITES Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species CWC Centre for Water Commission DDM Department of Disaster Management DDMC Dzongkhag Disaster Management Committee DES Department of Engineering Services DFID Department for International Development DGM Department of Geology and Mines DGPC Druk Green Power Corporation DHMS Department of Hydro-Met Services DHS Department of Human Settlement DLG Department of Local Governance DM Disaster Management DMP Disaster Management Plan DMS Department of Medical Services DoA Department of Agriculture DoR Department of Roads DoYS Department of Youth and Sports DRM Disaster Risk Management DRR Disaster Risk Reduction DT DzongkhagTshogdu EFRC Environmental Friendly Road Construction ESF Emergency Support Function EWS Early Warning System FYP Five-Year Plan GHG Greenhouse gas GIS Geographical Information System GFDRR Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery GLOF Glacial Lake Outburst Flood GNH Gross National Happiness 2 GNHC Gross National Happiness Commission GPS Global Positioning System GT -
Traditional Forms of Volunteerism in Bhutan
Traditional Forms of Volunteerism in Bhutan Tashi Choden dpl-'˜ug-Zib-'j/g-Ðe-b; dpl-'˜ug-Zib-'j/g-Ðe-b; The Centre for Bhutan Studies Traditional Forms of Volunteerism in Bhutan By Tashi Choden Copyright© The Centre for Bhutan Studies, 2003 Published by The Centre for Bhutan Studies Post Box No. 1111 Thimphu, Bhutan Tel: 975-02-321005, 321111 Facsimile: 975-02-321001 email: [email protected] http://www.bhutanstudies.org.bt ISBN 99936-14-07-6 Content Content ..........................................................................................i Preface ..........................................................................................ii Introduction .................................................................................1 The Concept of Volunteerism from a Buddhist Perspective ....2 The Continuing Spirit of Volunteerism and Social Responsibility...............................................................................5 Community benefaction of Anim Jitsem ............................. 7 Recent Trends in Voluntary Activities ..................................... 12 The Choethuen Tshogpa .............................................. 14 Conclusion.................................................................................. 19 References................................................................................... 21 i Preface Traditional Forms of Volunteerism in Bhutan is a brief introduction to some of the various forms of volunteerism, social engagement and responsibility that we find in the country. The