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Eugene has a few thoughts to share after a recent trip to Bhutan with a group of our BTJ GateKeepers and supporters.
Episode 766: What God Showed Me in Bhutan
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Praise the Lord!!
The episode delves into Eugene’s experiences and insights gained during the trip, offering listeners a glimpse into the spiritual and cultural dynamics of Bhutan. While specific details of the revelations are not provided in the available summaries, the episode likely discusses the challenges and opportunities for faith-based initiatives in the region.
Actually, you are wrong about why the Jesuits didn’t stay in Bhutan. I’m not sure where you got your information. From Fr. Cacella’s letter to his superior, it is quite clear what happened. Although the King, Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal initially promised to build a church for them to spread their “dharma,” his motives were mixed. He was in the middle of forging his authority and establishing the nation state of Bhutan. They were useful to him because they afforded him prestige among the warlords who opposed him and among his enemies in Tibet. They were only interested in staying in Bhutan if they could convert him and others and while he said he could not convert, that he would die if he did, he initially offered them some of his monks to convert and allowed the people of Bhutan to convert if they wished. He ended up building them a small church, but not in Paro as he originally promised. Later on he grew uncomfortable when people started converting to the new faith. He became jealous and in the end did not allow them to stay. I have done extensive research on this and have written a screenplay about it. Having spent 35 years in Tibetan Buddhism myself and then converted back to Christianity 5 years ago, I know very well that the Tibetan Buddhist tantric deities that were possessing the Shabrdung would never have allowed him to endorse these priests longterm. His tutelary deities, were essentially principalities and demons. Yes, he formed a very strong bond of friendship with these two priests and they had many theological discussions. It is important to note that is taught in Tibet and Bhutan isn’t just Buddhism, the peaceful teachings of the historical Buddha, but combines Indian Buddhism with local the shamanism and also a potent form of Hindu tantra. It’s an amalgamation, not pure Buddhism. The Buddha never endorsed worshipping deities or practicing magic. Bhutanese sorcerers, Tibetan Buddhist lamas, practice some of the most potent and horrific forms of black magic in existence. So the issue was much more complex than you are describing. Shabdrung was many things, a great lama, a statesman, an artist, and also, a Tibetan Buddhist sorcerer. Surely the two priests would have stayed there if he had really allowed them to.
would love to hear more about Eugene’s experiences and the insights on Bhutan’s spiritual and cultural landscape!