The 7th to 8th century seated goddess, Kongtsedemo
About 5,000 islanders of Honolulu got an insight into Bhutan when the “Dragon’s Gift: the Sacred Arts of Bhutan”, one of the most highly anticipated exhibition on Buddhist arts formally opened to the public yesterday at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, USA.
Her Royal Highness, Ashi Sonam Dechan Wangchuck, inaugurated the exhibition, which consists of about 117 sacred items, all on loan from Bhutan.
The elaborate exhibits include sacred works of art dating back to the 8th century, like painted and textile thangkas, sculptures, rare tantric deities to portraits of Buddhist masters, and ritual items and sculptures from the 17th through 19th centuries, known as the golden age in the Buddhist art of Bhutan.
Speaking at the opening ceremony to a special group of invitees consisting of official representatives, scholars, members of the board of trustees, donors and sponsors of the exhibition, HRH Sonam Dechan Wangchuck said that the exhibition was a wonderful gesture of friendship, trust, and confidence between the people of USA and Bhutan.

Her Royal Highness conveyed that it was for the first time that the sacred arts of Bhutan were taken out of the country for a major international exhibition.

The 17th century Buddha Maitreya
Referring to the political change in Bhutan, Her Royal Highness said that Bhutan’s transition to parliamentary democracy depicts an unconventional story of a country, that is attempting to integrate elements of its tradition and culture with modernity, in order to secure the well being of the people as emphasized by its development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH).

“This journey of transition is one that was cautiously charted out, and one that spans over the last 25 years,” Her Royal Highness said. “With globalization and socio-economic development, there is a shared understanding of the growing need to preserve our living culture and heritage. As Bhutan steps into an age of modernity, it is important for the younger generation to appreciate the values and traditions that promote and sustain our spiritual and cultural way of life.”

Her Royal Highness also conveyed the good wishes of His Majesty the King, the government, and people of Bhutan to friends in the United States. “It’s my hope that this cultural exchange will enable an understanding and appreciation of Bhutan’s spiritual and cultural heritage. I feel certain that such exchanges will further the bonds of friendship and understanding between our peoples, which will develop to greater levels of cooperation between our two countries,” she said.

Her Royal Highness congratulated all those who worked tirelessly to arrange the exhibition and commended Dr Stephen Little, Director of the Honolulu Academy of Arts, for his commitment towards ensuring the success of the exhibition.

Dr Stephen Little informed the gathering that Bhutan is the only Vajrayana Buddhist Kingdom, which has successfully maintained intact its ancient culture, arts, and religious lineages. “Preserving these traditional ways of life is one of the highest priorities of the Bhutanese government. The nation is unique in the world for its official policy of GNH, in contrast to the Gross National Product that preoccupies so many other countries,” he said. “In this focus on the human being’s happiness, as opposed to their productivity or commodification, Bhutan stands apart from the rest of the world.”

The secretary for home and cultural affairs ministry, Dasho Penden Wangchuk, said that Bhutan has a living heritage and the items displayed were not just of artistic and historical values, but potent with spiritual energy, that an ardent devotee will be able to connect himself with, if invoked in the right manner. He expressed his deepest appreciation to all those involved in the project and thanked them for contributing to the success of the exhibition.

Representing Bhutan to Honolulu were the Tsugla Lopon, Samten Dorji, former secretary of department of culture, Dasho Sangay Wangchug, Bhutan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Daw Penjo, monks of the central monastic body and fifteen monastic dancers from Yudrung Chhoeling Dratshang.

The exhibition will be open through May before embarking on a two-year world tour. Source: Kuenselonline