KP Sharma  

To commemorate the birth of Her Royal Highness the Princess, the Zhung Dratshang declared the day as Dratshang Yojay Gi Nyim, or the day to make offerings to central monastic body.

It is a traditional practice where individuals make voluntary offerings of land and other assets to the Monastic Body with the belief that it would accumulate merit.

Laytshog Lopon Sangay Dorji said that this was an effort to revive an ancient tradition with the aim of benefiting the people.

According to Laytshog Lopon, for a nation to thrive and achieve success, it requires the collective good fortune and destiny of its citizens, emphasising the significance of accumulating merit.

To accumulate merit, he said that individuals must wholeheartedly devote themselves to the Triple Gem and the only way to do it is by making offerings to sangha – the dharma practitioners.

It was customary for kings, ministers, the Royal family, and other influential individuals to make regular offerings to the sangha, attesting to its significance as a crucial way to accumulate merit.

Laytshog Lopon attributed the prosperity of the Central Monastic Body over its 400 years of existence to the contributions made by the people.

The land offered by the people to the dratshang used to be cultivated and the grains were distributed among the monasteries to feed the monks.

However, the significance of this practice has declined over time and younger generations are unaware of it.

In an effort to revive this tradition, Laytshog Lopon said that His Majesty The King has instructed to reintroduce the practice and designate a particular day for the people to make their offerings to the dratshang.

The Central Monastic Body has been unable to implement this reinstatement due to the pandemic.

The Laytshog Lopen said that the revival of the practice would help the people understand the importance of the day.