Simple living encompasses a number of different voluntary practices to simplify one’s way of living happily blending with the environment where one lives. Buddhism encourages living a simple life and shying away from materialism. It is said that, the more wealth one possesses, we shed more happiness. I think it may be true to a greater extent. For example, if we own a kilogram of gold, diamond etc., most of our time and peace of mind will be disturbed for the fear of getting it stolen from the lockers or losing it.
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| Che-nga-la and Chu-dru-la in Chamkhar Bumthang. |
Bumthang, the place known in Bhutan for its spiritual habitat has two brothers named as Che-nga-la and Chu-dru-la, which directly translates in English to be Fifteen and Sixteen. I don’t know from where the peculiar name has been derived. They may be in their mid fifities. I still wrack my head and ask elderly people of the community to find out if their real name is what we address them or do they have another name? In my eyes they seem to be happy externally, but I always remember to question myself, are they really happy? If they are happy, what makes them happy? And what do they have to be so happy about? Perhaps Buddhist principal of ‘Simple life keeps one happy’ is true.
Che-nga-la and Chu-dru-la can be seen often walking in and around Chamkhar town. No one seems to know where they live or what they eat, but for sure they eat decent meals during festivals and rituals, since they will be seen whenever certain festivities occurs in and around within the 10 kilometers radius from Chamkhar town, which falls within their walking distance.
Most of the time, the two brothers wear similar type of gho (traditional Bhutanese dress worn by men) and hat. Unfortunately the photo I have doesn’t show them in similar type of gho. They are always seen walking bare footed with approximately two millimeters of dirt on the gho and hemchu (pocket formed when gho is worn) filled with mysterious items. They will be seen most of the time during festivals entertaining people by singing and dancing for some money. Almost all the street dogs follow the brothers wagging their tails. Such a gesture from the dogs indicates that the brothers might be feeding them. But the question in per se is what are they feeding? From where are they getting foods to feed animals?
What is even more striking is, they are healthy and never seems to be falling sick. According to health personal maintaining cleanliness, eating and drinking proper food and water is the sole factor to live healthy. The statement of the health personal contradicts how the brothers live, yet they are healthy.
So next time you are in Bumthang, look for the brothers and try to get in their shoes. You would see yourself asking so many questions on so many things.
Let us all learn to live happily with what we have and what we are provided. Let us remember Frank Buchman’s word “There is enough in the world for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed”.
Comments
How can i forget them? I actually grew up seeing them, i was in Bumthang for a good number of years as a young student and they were a sight not to be missed.And after all these years they are an interesting sight. I loved seeing them sing clapping their mud-striken hands.Our boys used to give them old clothes and shoes.
If you remember there is another striking character again, Aum kamala. But i am not sure whether she is still there or not...
For visiting my blog. They sometime serve as a source of inspiration to me to be happy and satisfied with what I have and I am bestowed with. I am glad that it took you back to your older fond memories.
@ i relate to that, I have not heard of Aum Karmala. I hope she is fine somewhere else.
Once again thank you for dropping by.
Cheers.
life is just to purposeless for some.
Thank you for bringing this post. Good day acho.
Kachan dri na cho..:)
Thank you for dropping by.
By the way, I thought you were from Zhemgang?