In the first 24 hours of arriving in the serene and spiritually vibrant kingdom of Bhutan, Swami Anand Arun and his entourage from Osho Tapoban were blessed with a series of extraordinary and humbling experiences—culminating in a royal audience that transcended the boundaries of formality and time.

An invitation was extended for a special meeting with Her Highness the Queen Mother, Her Holiness the mother of His Eminence Vairochana Rinpoche, and Rinpoche himself—directly connected to the Bhutanese royal lineage and the sacred Nalanda tradition. The audience was held in His Eminence’s personal temple, a sacred and highly restricted space, rarely opened to visitors.

The Tapoban delegation was escorted by Dasho Karma Ura, renowned Buddhist scholar and President of the Centre for Bhutan & GNH Studies (CBS)—an institution that has helped shape Bhutan’s global leadership in Gross National Happiness.

Upon arrival, Swamiji was invited by His Eminence to light three butter lamps before the Buddha—a gesture of deep spiritual symbolism. The seating arrangement was equally telling: His Eminence asked Swamiji to sit directly beside him, not as a guest, but as a spiritual equal.

The conversation opened with Her Highness the Queen Mother sharing the remarkable early life of Vairochana Rinpoche. At the tender age of four, he had begun vividly recalling his past life, and astonishingly, reciting sacred scriptures in languages he had never learned. This set the stage for an extraordinary spiritual dialogue between two awakened beings.

Though young in age, His Eminence Vairochana Rinpoche radiated the aura of an old soul in a new body. His presence carried the effortless grace and inner knowing of someone who simply remembered. The atmosphere around him was alive with positive energy, humility, and clarity—a perfect reflection of inner realization.

Swamiji spoke of Osho’s deep connection to the Buddha, sharing personal insights and stories from his decades of discipleship. He referenced books he has authored on this sacred link and mentioned that Osho Tapoban sits on the very land where Acharya Nagarjuna attained enlightenment, and that Osho Lumbini Ashram houses the largest marble Buddha statue in the region.

As the conversation deepened, His Eminence Vairochana turned to Swamiji with sincere humility and asked,“Whenever I meet a great lama like you, I always ask—how can I teach better? I’ve only been on the path for ten years.”

To this, Swamiji responded, “Read Osho’s commentaries on the Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra. They hold the essence clearly and beautifully.”

He added with conviction, “Osho, along with Buddha, will come to you in your dreams and guide you.”

From this point, the dialogue turned naturally toward past lives. His Eminence shared that he and Swamiji had met before, and with gentle certainty declared that they had both been disciples of Gautam Buddha. A profound wave of recognition and emotion moved through the room. In that sacred moment, Swamiji rose, held Rinpoche’s hands, touched foreheads, and wept. Protocol faded away. Many—including Dasho Karma Ura—were visibly moved to tears.

Throughout this unforgettable meeting, traditional Bhutanese butter tea and snacks were graciously served, adding warmth to the already sacred atmosphere.
Though photography was initially not allowed, an exception was made. A chair was brought for His Eminence, and Swamiji was invited to sit beside him for a commemorative photo—while members of the royal family stood. This gesture reflected the depth of spiritual recognition shared between the two.

Swamiji offered His Eminence a heartfelt selection of gifts: Osho’s discourses on Buddhist teachings, sacred texts, and a photo of Osho—each accepted with genuine appreciation.

He then extended an invitation for Vairochana Rinpoche to visit Osho Tapoban, sharing the story of the preserved Bodhi tree where Nagarjuna is said to have awakened. Without pause, Rinpoche replied, “Yes, I will come.”

This was far more than a royal audience. It was a sacred reunion, a meeting of souls beyond lifetimes, held in a temple of silence, reverence, and timeless recognition. In this sacred land, Bhutan offered not just beauty and tradition, but a rare unfolding of truth, devotion, and spiritual kinship.

Bodhisattva Swami Anand Arun
Nagarjuna Hills, Osho Tapoban, Nepal