Gelephu - Himalayan kingdom made world record Sunday. 40,000 trained volunteers built 108 jangchub chortens (stupas of enlightenment) simultaneously along 12 km stretch of Mau Chhu River in Gelephu, spiritual foundation of Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), envisioned by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk as spirituality-driven global economic hub bordering Assam's Chirang.
Central Monastic Body said relics - bones, hair - of Buddha, enlightened saints donated by Buddhists in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Bhutan, mostly sourced from India, enshrined as zung - living embodiment. Each chorten costs $200,000 funded by individuals, families, communities.
Chorten No. 76 dedicated to PM Narendra Modi for India's support - Bhutan's PM Lotay? Actually Bhutan's support for India.
India's Ambassador to Bhutan attended.
Analytically, GMC is Bhutan's Dubai — 1,000 sq km city with hydro, Al, spiritual tourism, airport, railway to Assam. India funds 80% - Rs 10,000 crore. 108 stupas is soft power - shows Bhutan's Buddhist identity, environmental consciousness, volunteerism.
For India, dedication to Modi is diplomatic signal - Bhutan balances India and China. China claims Doklam, Bhutan needs India.
Mindfulness City aims to attract $100 billion investment, jobs for Bhutanese youth migrating. Stupas will be pilgrimage plus tourism.
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