𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆’𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝟬𝟴 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗽𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗠𝗖

1 𝘕𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 2026

Bhutan is a land blessed by Guru Rinpoche. In the 8th century, he brought to us the Sangngag Dorje Thekpa — Vajrayana. It took root here and flourished, and for more than 12 centuries, we have been its custodians, handing it down intact from one generation to the next. More than anything, it has shaped us as a country and as a people.

Bhutan is a nation founded by Ngawang Namgyal. He secured our sovereignty, gave us governance and the rule of law, gave us our Drukpa identity, and established the dual system of Chhoesi Nyi. All of this, so that Bhutan would hold its own place in the world, preserve its way of life and its heritage, and remain always a home for every Bhutanese.

And Bhutan is a country steered by generations of our ancestors, who knew what to do, when, and how. Guided by extraordinary values, never losing our sense of direction, our Kings, in particular His Majesty the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and our people — our parents worked tirelessly with the hope that their children would live in a beautiful country, full of promise and pride.

Today, the blessings of Guru Rinpoche, the prayers of Zhabdrung, and the labor of our ancestors are displayed before us in an extraordinary way.

And I am not speaking about the 108 stupas.

To raise 108 stupas in a matter of hours is a remarkable accomplishment. But the true fruit of those blessings, those prayers, and that labor is seen in us, the Bhutanese people. In our values and our virtues, in our loyalty, and in the joy we take in service. In the compassion we show one another, and the love we hold for this nation. People from every walk of life and every generation, coming together of our own will, to make a difference for Bhutan and our future.

That is the Bhutanese spirit. That, in my view, is the greatest accomplishment of this day, and something we should all hold with great pride.

Today, on the auspicious day of Lhabab Duchen, as these stupas are consecrated, is a time to pray. And my prayer is this: that we never, ever change.

That this unity, this devotion, this compassion, this coming together as one people with a shared purpose, this bond that we are blessed with, remains strong, vibrant, bright, and ever growing. Because if we remain who we are, there is nothing we cannot face.

Natural calamities will come, and we will meet them together, overcome them, and rebuild stronger than before. Economic shocks will come, and we will find our way through them and emerge wiser and more resilient. Global uncertainty and pandemics, should they return, will test us. And we will rise to meet them, and come out of them better than when we went in.

Not one of these can take from us what makes us Bhutanese. And whatever we set out to accomplish will be fulfilled, so long as we do not change, and we hold on to this uniqueness we have been blessed with. That is my prayer.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the Lams and Lachens of many Buddhist traditions who have blessed this day, and to our patrons, sponsors, supporters, and well wishers whose generosity made it possible, to our friends who have traveled from around the world to be here in Gelephu, and to the members of the press who have come to share this day with the world. I thank you.

We are deeply honored by the presence of His Excellency Anutin, Prime Minister of Thailand. I am grateful for his visit to Bhutan. The bond between our two Buddhist Kingdoms is one we cherish. Through the Prime Minister, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty The King of Thailand, and to the people of Thailand.

We are equally honored by the presence of the Honorable Union Minister of India, Shri Kiren Rijiju. Prime Minister Modi and the Government of India have been enormously supportive of Bhutan and of the vision of Gelephu Mindfulness City. Through the Union Minister, I extend heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Government, and the people of India.

What you have witnessed today is a reflection of who we are — a small nation whose strength lies in its people, its values, and its faith. You did not come merely to observe. By your presence and your support, you have become a part of this story. That is how Bhutan has always grown. Not by walls, but by friendship.

Your confidence in Gelephu is your confidence in Bhutan, and we will honor it. Here in Gelephu, we are building something unique for our people, for our children, and for the future of Bhutan. I pray that what we build will not only benefit us, but extend in time to the whole world.

Thank you, Tashi Delek.