A large gathering of faith and community spirit is underway in Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), where more than 3,000 devotees of Pedling Yabsey Sum have come together to participate in a four-day volunteer programme leading up to the ground-breaking ceremony of the Kurukulee Centre on Friday.
The initiative began today with the offering of sang and collective prayers, marking the spiritual start of a series of volunteer activities organised in preparation for the construction of the Kurukulee Centre—one of the major spiritual projects planned within GMC.
The programme is being led by three prominent spiritual figures of the Pedling tradition—Gangteng Trulku Rinpoche, Sungtrul Rinpoche, and Thuksey Rinpoche—who are revered by followers as representing the body, speech, and mind of the Pedling lineage.
Participants have travelled from across the country to contribute their time and labour. The volunteers include monks, nuns, civil servants, farmers and lay devotees, reflecting a wide cross-section of Bhutanese society united in a shared purpose.
Dorji Wangchuk, who travelled from Monggar to take part in the programme, said he viewed the volunteer effort as an investment in the country’s future.
“I came to volunteer for GMC because it benefits not only future generations but also contributes to the development of our country,” he said.
For others, the experience carries deep personal significance. Phub Dorji, a volunteer from Haa, described the opportunity as one he could not afford to miss.
“I see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in such meaningful volunteer work. If I fail to do this, it would be the biggest regret of my life,” he said. “With the guidance of Rinpoche and the Pedling Dratshang, I am grateful to contribute and very happy to be part of this important event.”
Volunteer activities during the programme include preparing areas along the road leading to Phulari, beginning from the Thromde highway at Tashiling Demkhong. The work focuses on site preparation for the plantation of four types of seasonal flowering plants, which will enhance the landscape surrounding the future spiritual centre.
The four-day volunteer programme will conclude on Wednesday, just ahead of the anticipated ground-breaking ceremony that marks the beginning of construction for the Kurukulee Centre. The event is expected to further highlight the strong blend of spirituality, civic participation, and national development envisioned for Gelephu Mindfulness City.
