1 TRANSLATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ... - APFA News

material inducements to innocent villagers to pursuade them to convert to
Christianity, emphasizing that practicing this new faith will bring material
benefits to them.
He said that the converts have turned their backs against the age-old practice of
holding annual Hindu pujas in their homes and taking part in the shared
religious festivals and activities of the community in the villages. Instead, they
have embraced the practice of congregating every Sunday to support activities
aimed at further spreading the Christian faith. The Chimi informed the house
that there are now about 640 Christians in Sarpang Dzongkhag alone. The
propagation and introduction of Christianity in other countries has been a
divisive influence amongst the people and communities of those nations. There
is every possibility that such negative developments can also take place in
Bhutan. Therefore, it is important for the Government to take necessary action
to contain and control the increasing problem of proselytization.
The Chimi suggested that in order to counter the impact and influence of
Christianity some initiatives should be taken in the promotion of the Dharma in
the country. The Buddhist teachers and senior practitioners should go out more
into the villages and explain the fundamental precepts and philosophy of the
Buddha Dharma to the people so that they will understand more clearly the
value of meritorious activities and the true meaning behind the practice of
meditation through such activities as the recitation of the Mani and Vajra Guru
prayers. It should then make it more difficult for proselytizers to sway and
convert our people. If such steps are not taken it could well be possible that
within the next five years or so the Buddha Dharma may decline and
Christianity might become more widespread.
The BCCI representative said that internal strife and conflict arising out of
religious differences among communities have been the cause of civil unrest,
famine and disease in many countries of the world. In contrast, the Bhutanese
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