Leh, Nov 11: In a solemn tribute marking the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the Great Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Ven. Bhikkhu Sanghasena led a special prayer ceremony at the revered Gangtey Goenpa Monastery in Phobjikha, Bhutan. The event brought together representatives from several international and regional conservation and spiritual organizations.
Members of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), the International Crane Foundation, Bird Conservation Nepal, the Kunming Institute of Zoology, and the Foundation Hans Wilsdorf joined the ceremony, which featured the lighting of 108 butter lamps and collective prayers for His Majesty’s health, longevity, and enduring peace.
The observance paid homage not only to the Great Fourth’s legacy of compassionate leadership but also to his enduring contribution to the preservation of Bhutan’s natural and spiritual heritage. Participants offered prayers to the Blessed Triple Gem, invoking blessings that reflect the harmony between human life and the environment—a principle that His Majesty has long championed through his vision for sustainable coexistence.
Gangtey Goenpa, nestled in the pristine Phobjikha Valley—home to the endangered Black-necked Crane—served as a fitting setting for the ceremony, symbolizing the unity of faith and conservation. The gathering underscored a shared aspiration among the attending organizations to continue fostering ecological awareness and spiritual balance across the Himalayan region, inspired by the Druk Gyalpo’s enduring example.
The event concluded with messages of gratitude and reflection, reaffirming the collective resolve to uphold His Majesty’s ideals of compassion, environmental stewardship, and universal well-being.
