Learn To Be Like Karma Sir

 Rationale: Sometimes, it’s wonderful to reflect on what you have been doing and what you have done so far. Believing in the words and actions of him, would give you a strength to move ahead in your life. Despite my several attempts to keep him connected, I failed it completely!.  For now, with modern miracle of connecting people, I guess this would bridge the gap between a teacher and follower. Therefore,I would like to write and take you through the world of Mr. Karma Wangchuk. I hope you may find something inspiring.

 I have known him for just two years, and in this little time together I have known him as a man of modesty. Really he is the subject of interest to me, and you too may find him as a person of your kind if you encounter him.

Photo courtesy (TsheringP) near Gyemjangkhu temple, Paro.

 I am scare sometimes that I may write wrong about him with my limited perception. However he never gets moved by either by praises or defamation. Therefore, neither do I  expect anything from him nor would he consider this piece as my jumbling of ideas.

Of course, many may not know about him. He is just an ordinary man with good looking figure. He rarely smiles and never wrong him as being too serious.But in this ordinary man I have discovered 'extraordinary offerings' and 'wealth.'  This ordinary man is a shining icon of literature and arts.  

If you happen to be at Paro College, you may rarely notice his presence. He would be wearing faded clothes or walking lonely sometimes in great thinking.

He would be the early bird to catch up the morning glory. Mornings are special to him for he could see a bird or two. Every night, a poem is drafted and on the next day he would polish the poem. A chronic stomach ache bothers him, but he occasionally chants the mantra OM MANI PADMI HUNG to ease the situation.

(Following are the reasons why "What makes him so unique?")

Every society expects a man to get married, have children and happily settle down in life, but he is far removed from any of these. Rather he has found the lifelong desires to spent his life in most unique living.

I always appreciate him for the vast expanse of knowledge he possesses on everyday subject matters.  When you ask him about the books that he has read so far he will just smile without any straight answers. For us number matters but for him, the contents and the words matter. Talking about likes and dislikes on books, he lays his hands on almost all kinds of books. He read an abridged English version of 'The Mahabharata' and other books of adventure during his school days. Nature and spirituality are other areas of his interest.  Surprisingly, it seems that for him the ideas are within a blink of eyes..

Language is a problem for all of us. He suggested to me that I should read on the subject that interests me, and also immerse in some classical books once in a while.

Photo credit (I) Reading completes the story of the day for him, near college.

He is an active writer too. He writes  very powerful poems and meaningful articles to suit the readers. He has many self-created arts and books ready for publication. Here, I will share his letter to my class six students. Dated: September 12th, 2016,

                                                                                                        Dungmaanma,

                                                                                                        Trashigang

                                                                                                     September 12th, 2016

Dear Sonam,

  I hope you are doing fine.  Everything is good here with me.

           I want to say again that school is a wonderful place to be in. You are surrounded by friends who share your time being together and teachers who guide you throughout. The school offers you many beautiful gifts. One special gift is the joy of reading. I hope you have found this gift in the school. When you come home this winter I would love to hear your story of reading.

That is it for now. Your brother sends you his love.

With love,

Your dad Dorji

Note: I requested him to write a letter to my class six students. And they were happy to read and they have written a reply to him.

(Arts and music as an integral part of his being)

 In college, he is known as Drama Wangchuk to his colleagues and the student teachers. He engages students in drama workshops and role play, and enables them to realize the benefits of drama in both personal and professional life. Shakespeare is his most favorite playwright.

He is a self-taught, passionate and practicing artist.  He is also a food geek and a great cook. Everyday work is fun for him because creativity pays off.

Photo credit(Nima) Trying out to see the magic of brushes and colors.

He has visited many wild places in Bhutan and a few in India. He knows the names of most birds and butterflies. He loves snakes too. He is quite a skillful photographer. He loves plants, and for a plant lover like him cutting down trees is unthinkable.

Photo credit( Ni ma). Looking for the long lost Birds and Butterflies in Lampelri.

( Teacher of wealth and wisdom)

He is a firm believer in the power of silence. Being silent enables him to create a space for contemplation and self-reflection. He doesn’t talk much, but given a situation he can speak in some Bhutanese dialects.

If you happen to visit his home, you will be surprised to see that he doesn’t own a refrigerator or sofa set, of course affordable to somebody of his stature. His life is so simple and yet  so unique. He is happy with what he has.  I consider him as the figure of all contentment because I see him leading a happy life.

Photo credit (Nima) At lamperi Botanical Park.

To sum up, this is a story of man, who is taking the life in its own flow. It is about a man who sings the freedom song like the enlighten beings. For me, it was worth meeting him in my life. I don’t know how we came to sharing of such warm closeness, but meeting him was like finding some encyclopedic books.Being in his presence was like knowing who we are and his modesty is the unusual gift for all of us. And this man has been my wings of inspiration in reading, writing and learning the art of photography. 

 Until further, I write about him, he shall remain as complete mystery to man!

Disclaimer: It's intended for my literary exploration and experiment.

Encouraging Note from Karma sir.HATS OFF! You took the challenge to write something in an age where fewer people opt to keep this dream alive. Any obstacle that you may encounter henceforth should not deter you from writing, for it will only get better with more practice. 

After reading:I am amazed that you chose to write about me. It is a good move in the direction of becoming a writer of some kind. I am sure with rigorous practice your ideas will flow more smoothly and crystallize better. Keep writing!