Thinley Namgay

At the ongoing Bhutan Echoes festival in Thimphu yesterday, French Ambassador to India, Dr Thierry Mathou (PhD), attributed the qualities of His Majesty the Fourth King to a Bodhisattva, while sharing insights on the book ‘The Bodhisattva King: His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck of Bhutan’, which he co-authored with Bhutanese writer Tshering Tashi.

The book offers a collection of tributes from various individuals, celebrating the legacy of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, whom Dr Mathou regards as a Bodhisattva.

Thierry Mathou is a career diplomat and scholar with a specialisation in Asian studies.

In conversation with Dawa Penjor, General Secretary of the Bhutan India Friendship Association, Thierry Mathou said that His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo possesses the sublime qualities of a Bodhisattva such as compassion, loving kindness, equanimity, and empathy.

The term ‘Bodhisattva’ is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘Bodhi’ meaning ‘awakening’ or ‘enlightenment’ and ‘sattva’ meaning ‘being’.

A Bodhisattva is traditionally understood as an enlightened being who chooses to delay their entry into nirvana to help other sentient beings on their path to enlightenment.

Thierry Mathou, in his first appearance at Bhutan Echoes, reflected on some of the incredible initiatives under the reign of His Majesty the Fourth King.

He highlighted several key moments, including the inclusion of the Lhotshampa community into the mainstream population, the 2003 military operation against insurgents, border negotiations with China, the decentralisation efforts through the establishment of Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu and Gewog Yargay Tshogchhung, the formation of the Planning Commission, and the development of the Constitution.

Thierry Mathou said that His Majesty’s love and compassion towards the insurgents for an extended period of time showcased the qualities of a true Bodhisattva.

He also lauded the unprecedented nature of the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s early abdication, a move that surprised the world and underscored His Majesty’s selfless dedication to Bhutan. This is unlikely to happen in other parts of the world, he said.

He praised the Bhutanese monarchy as reformist, and noted how each King during their reign made unique contributions to the country’s history. He said that the First King unified the country, the Second King protected Bhutan from independence movements sweeping Southeast Asia, and the Third King initiated the country’s modernisation.

Thierry Mathou attributed Bhutan’s enduring independence to the wisdom and leadership of its monarchs, a legacy that continues to shape the nation’s destiny.

Humorously describing Thierry Mathou as ‘a Bhutanese reincarnate in a French body’, Dawa Penjor commended the French Ambassador’s connection with Bhutan, which spans over four decades.