Page 5 - BHUTAN 2007

permitted in the country, but the Hindus are not suppressed in their
religious practices. The King participates in both Buddhist and Hindu rituals

and holidays. Many of the Buddhist temples contain statues of Hindu gods

and goddesses, like Ganesha and Lakshmi; therefore, many Hindus feel

quite comfortable in those temples. After all, Buddha reached

enlightenment among the Hindus of India and preached his first sermon in
Sarnath, India! Buddhism penetrates every aspect of a Bhutanese person’s

life. They are devout and deeply spiritual. Buddhism determines names

given to children, the dates of acceptable marriage, the chosen partner for

marriage. Houses must be blessed by religious figures on a yearly basis.

Prayer flags are everywhere. No Bhutanese person would pass a prayer
wheel without twirling it. Offerings are made regularly in the temples by the

common people. The very land itself is considered mystical and sacred

because lamas and holy men sat under this tree, or created an impression in

stone with their bodies over there, and monasteries are situated like eagle’s

aeries on high mountain shoulders overlooking the valleys because a holy
man meditated in a cave there or had a vision on that craggy outcropping.

The lamas and gurus who brought Buddhism to Bhutan are venerated but

also seem as real to the people as if they were living in the land today. Thus,

echoes of its past are actually very present in Bhutan today.

GOVERNMENT

For the immediate present, the government of this country is an absolute

monarchy (with power shared somewhat unequally between the King and
the Je Kempo, national head of Buddhism). However, in 2008 the country

will peacefully transform itself into a constitutional monarchy with a

legislative body elected by the people. At present, the King’s advisory

council is appointed by him as are all other officials, including judges. There

is a National Assembly elected by the people, but its power at present is
very limited. This monarchy is only 100 years old, having been formed under