By Lee Yi-lun, Wu Shih-chang, Li Wen-Cheng, Wang Tso-ming,journalists of CNEWS
THIMPHU, BHUTAN / TAIPEI, TAIWAN
In November 2025, Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, hosted the largest World Peace Grand Ceremony held in the past four centuries.
The event was personally organized by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, drawing tens of thousands of Buddhist practitioners and travelers to the vast green fields at the foothills of the Himalayas, where they gathered in prayer for global peace and collective well-being.
For this historic occasion, CNEWS Convergence News Network traveled to Bhutan and became the only media from Taiwan granted close-access privileges to the Bhutanese Royal Family.
This allowed CNEWS reporters to accompany the King, the Queen, the Queen Mother, and many royal family members throughout their public and semi-public activities.
No Taiwanese media has ever been this close to the Bhutanese monarchy, making this exclusive field report the most direct documentation of the real face of the world’s happiest kingdom.
His Majesty the Fifth Druk Gyalpo, King Jigme Khesar, often called “the world’s most handsome king,” is admired internationally not only for his distinguished appearance but also for his gentle demeanor and profound wisdom.
Yet meeting him in person reveals an even more extraordinary presence—young, accomplished, humble, and radiating compassion and vision.
Walking beside him is Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema, elegant and graceful; their love story is regarded as a modern Bhutanese fairy tale.
Now parents to three children, the royal family is cherished nationwide as a source of emotional strength and inspiration.
Across Bhutan, from homes to small shops and cafés, photographs of the King and Queen are displayed with affection.
For the Bhutanese people, their admiration for the Royal Family is not merely reverence—it is a deep, heartfelt family-like love.
During this visit, Tulku Gongkar Tendzin Rinpoche arranged for the delegation to pay respects to the highly beloved Royal Grandmother.CNEWS also received a rare exclusive interview with her.
At 96 years old, the Royal Grandmother remains remarkably spirited and dignified.She has nine children—four became queens and one became prime minister—a lineage considered blessed and exceptional.
Her family also produced two kings: the Fourth King is her son-in-law, and the Fifth King is her biological grandson.
Her bond with the current King is especially deep.His Majesty often visits her personally—sometimes riding a motorcycle—simply to share moments of family affection.
She often humbly says, “I have nothing,” to which the Bhutanese softly reply, “Except that your family has given us two kings and four queens.”
She said she has no lavish gifts for the world, but she wishes to share her most sincere blessings of health and longevity, and entrusted Venerable Master Da-Hui to bring these prayers back to the people of Taiwan.
In addition to the grand ceremony, Venerable Master Da-Hui was invited to attend the 2025 Global Gross National Happiness (GNH) Forum, commemorating the 70th birthday of His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck and the 50th anniversary of the GNH philosophy.
The forum was chaired by Her Royal Highness Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck, Chairperson of the Center for Gross National Happiness.
The event also featured the launch of Tulku Gongkar Tendzin Rinpoche’s new book, “Precious Garland of Incarnations,” with Venerable Master Da-Hui attending alongside him as a witness to the transmission of Dharma and wisdom.
In front of an ancient monastery, Venerable Master Da-Hui presented a calligraphy scroll reading “Happiness and Peace,” written by teacher Pan Pei-Jun, to Her Majesty the Queen Mother, symbolizing the profound connection between Taiwan and Bhutan in Dharma and the shared pursuit of happiness.
This gesture echoed His Majesty’s national vision for spiritual development.
Venerable Master Da-Hui shared that during the forum, the King spoke sincerely to both the nation and to his own children:
“My father spent 50 years building the world’s happiest country. I must never forget his original intention, and I hope my son will always remember—
The kindness of others is never something we are entitled to.We must live with gratitude and take care of our people.”
His Majesty also elaborated on the national-level project he is leading—the Mindfulness City Project.
Located in southern Bhutan, the future city will be approximately 2.6 times the size of Taipei City, designed with the concepts of mindfulness and a modern Buddhist Pure Land.
The project includes national centers for Vajrayana Buddhism, Chinese Buddhism, and Theravada traditions; medical, agricultural, technological, and sustainable energy districts; pilot zones for emerging economic models and digital currency systems; and a new international airport expected to accommodate large aircraft by 2027.
His Majesty emphasized that he does not wish for Bhutan to follow the path of many developed countries—chasing GDP at the cost of happiness.
Bhutan’s development must first protect the purity of its people’s hearts, allowing technology and happiness to coexist rather than compete.
For this reason, the World Peace Grand Ceremony is seen not only as a national prayer for the land and its people but also a blessing for the future Mindfulness City, with hopes that it will one day become a genuine Buddhist Pure Land on earth.
Photo Credit: CNEWS Reporter Lee Yi-lun
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