More than 100 students from Thimphu are attending dharma programme in Phuentsholing. Students learn Buddhist spiritual values and meditation, among others

Tandin Phurpa, an employee at the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Thimphu and a volunteer, said that the number of volunteers attending the programme has increased compared with last year.

He said that following a visit to Punakha, two students joined monkhood last year. “They are today in Dechen Phodrang and Talo.”

Tandin Phurpa said that there are students who show consistent interest in following the religious path. “From about 100 students in the programme, about five or six show interest to join the religious institutions.”

Kinley Bidha, a class X student, is one of them.

A student of Dechencholing Higher Secondary School, Kinley Bidha first joined the programme when she was in Class IX. “I share similar views with my friends who wish to follow the religious path. My parents are very supportive.”

From about 100 students in the programme today, 73 students are between Classes VII and IX.

Seventy-three students are currently engaged in various activities in the Druk Namgay Choling monastery in Phuentsholing.

The three-week programme, will involve teaching masked dances, using the religious instrument, writing in Dzongkha, and other cultural programmes.

Tandin Phurpa said that the students recited prayer at the Memorial Choeten for about two weeks before going to Phuentsholing. “This year, the students also performed Nyilo and generated some fund for themselves.”

Zhung Dratshang supports the programme.

Phurpa Lhamo