Leadership, Legacy, and Lessons: The Words of Bhutan’s Kings.

November 15, 2025

Leadership, Legacy, and Lessons: The Words of Bhutan’s Kings.

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I am truly blessed to be born in Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Our country is not only rich in values and culture but also takes great pride in its natural heritage, with 69.71% of its land under forest cover—well above the constitutional requirement to maintain at least 60%. Bhutan is a peaceful nation, often referred to as the last Shangri-La, and above all, it is fortunate to be guided by benevolent and visionary leaders who embody the highest ideals. Our monarchs lead by example and inspire, motivate, encourage, and empower every Bhutanese.

We, the people of Bhutan, are privileged to have selfless monarchs who have gone to the battlefield to protect their citizens and who have sacrificed personal comforts to serve the nation. Since the establishment of the monarchy in 1907, our kings have served with unparalleled dedication, compassion, empathy, love, care, and determination.

This year, our Fourth Druk Gyalpo turns Seventy. When His Majesty described the Fourth King as “a great statesman, a fearless warrior, and a wise teacher, who embodies the qualities of Rigsum Gonpo—the fearlessness of Chana Dorji (Vajrapāni), the wisdom of Jampelyang (Mañjuśrī), the compassion of Chenrezig (Avalokiteśvara)—and as a true Dharma King,” I felt the deep truth of those words. We are blessed to have had a King like His Majesty the Great Fourth Druk Gyalpo and our People’s King, His Majesty the Fifth Druk Gyalpo. I always look forward to listening to His Majesty’s addresses, which are filled with insight and guidance. This year’s address during the 70th birth anniversary of His Majesty the fourth Druk Gyalpo was especially profound, offering wisdom to each one of us.

During the address, His Majesty shared twelve great lessons that he learned from his father, the Great Fourth. These teachings will continue to inspire and guide all of us:

Serve your country and people; to fail them is a great sin, to help them is a great merit.
The nation’s sovereignty is sacred. Guard it fiercely, even against the smallest cracks.
Serve the Je Khenpo, Zhung Dratshang, and our Buddhist institutions; they are Bhutan’s soul.
Protect our national identity. Bhutan’s uniqueness is precious; it must be loved and safeguarded by every citizen.
Honour our environment and traditions. Keep every stream clean, preserve every dialect and custom.
Our strength lies in unity. Though small, we can achieve anything if we remain united.
Never grow complacent. When things go well, remember your responsibilities and stay focused.
A strong Bhutan requires strong people—well educated, skilled, and wise. Read and learn from others; invest time to grow.
Do not spoil children. Teach discipline, gratitude, and appreciation—the best values to possess.
A nation’s reputation is sacred. Let Bhutan and Bhutanese be known as truthful, trustworthy, and capable—a partner the world respects.
Laws and institutions are the pillars of a just and harmonious nation.
The most sacred advice: what worked before may not work now. Keep learning, adapting, and reinventing. Agility is the key to Bhutan’s enduring strength.

For me personally, His Majesty’s addresses are sources of true wisdom, true motivation, and true inspiration. Sometimes, in the middle of my work, when I feel tired or discouraged, I listen to His Majesty’s words, and they truly uplift me like a miracle. At times, His words strike me like a father gently scolding his daughter for going astray. I will never forget the wisdom my King shares, and I will always believe the words of His Majesty that say whatever problems we may face, someone has already gone through the same and has the experience to share. Someone has already solved the challenges, and all that wisdom is contained in the pages of a book.

Overall, His Majesty’s words are miraculous, powerful, and profound. They motivate, inspire, and encourage us to work a little harder. The way His Majesty believes in his people—the way he sees us—reminds me to strive to be a better human being. In the sacred eyes of my King, we Bhutanese are hardworking, beautiful, capable, and able to achieve anything.

Though our country is small, our great monarchs have shaped it into one of the most peaceful nations in the world. We are still a developing country, yet we are blessed with free health care and free education. We are safe, and most importantly, we are led by leaders who guide by example—selfless leaders who sacrifice everything for their people. Thank you, Your Majesty, for everything. I will always pray to be born under your leadership over and over again.