The Kingdom of Bhutan is nestled high up in the Himalayan mountains. Covered by 70% forestry, the country is also known as the “Land of Sacred Medicine”.
This tiny Buddhist kingdom with a population of 700,000 people has a rich culture steeped in Buddhism, which is traced back to the days of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594-1651).
The Shabdrung is a reincarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. In 1616, he introduced the present dual system of religious and secular government throughout Bhutan. Towards the end of his life, he went into retreat in Punakha Dzong and devoted himself to the making of 100,000 tsatsas (miniature clay stupas). Large beautiful Buddhist paintings, which are the works of the Shabdrung, are seen on the walls of the shrine hall in Punakha Dzong. Highly venerated by the Bhutanese people, his pictures (thangkas) can be seen everywhere, in temples, monasteries and homes.

Above: Buddhist religious ceremony
Buddhist religious ceremonies are usually held in open space areas to accommodate big crowds of 10,000 and more people.

Above: Nun travelling by foot
Many of the nunneries and monasteries are located high up in secluded mountains. Occasionally, the nuns and monks have to travel by foot to the city for their necessities.

Above: Stupa and prayer flags
Stupas and prayer flags can be seen throughout the country

Above: Kyichu Lhakang (Paro), the oldest temple in Bhutan was built in 638 AD by King Songtsen Gampo. In 1968, H. M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, arranged for a second temple to be built alongside the first one, in the same style.

The kingdom of Bhutan is a sacred Shangri-La nestled high up in the Himalayan mountains. Prayer flags, stupas, temples and monasteries are seen everywhere. The people are deeply religious and in every household there is a shrine. Bhutan is steeped in the Buddhist tradition since the early days. It is a Mahayana Vajrayana Buddhist country which embraces and respects all Buddhist traditions. Buddha Shakyamuni’s Teachings can be categorized into Manjushri lineage - the Teachings on deep-view wisdom; Maitreya lineage - the Teachings on philosophy and shamatha; and Tilopa lineage - the Teachings on concentration, also known as tantric samadhi. The Vajrayana Teachings taught by the primordial Buddha Vajradhara is the union of these three lineages. Guru Padmasambhava, commonly regarded as the second Buddha, arose in Bhutan 1200 years ago and spread the Buddhist Teachings, in particular Teachings of tantra, throughout Bhutan.

The Teachings were passed down to Tsangpa Jare and then to Drukpa scholar Pema Karpo. Tsangpa Jare founded the Drukpa Kagyud lineage 843 years ago. When he was establishing a large monastery, nine dragons appeared from the earth, circumambulated him and soared overhead. “Druk” means dragon in Bhutanese language, thus the lineage was given the auspicious name of Drukpa Kagyud.

Then, 477 years ago, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the supreme Buddhist leader, established Bhutan as a united independent Buddhist country. Shabdrung means “at whose feet one prostrates”. The Shabdrung was the reincarnation of Pema Karpo, who was himself the reincarnation of Guru Padmasambhava, Chenrezig and Amitabha (body, speech and mind). He received Teachings directly from these three supreme kayas. “Pema” means “lotus” and refers to Guru Padmasambhava. “Karpo” means “white” and refers to white Chenrezig. Thus the non-dual lineage of Nyingma (red sect) and Drukpa Kargyud (white sect) was established. For great auspiciousness, “Kagyud” was subsequently changed to “Kargyud”, bearing the name of its founder, Pema Karpo.

The kingdom was given the official name Palden Drukpa Chogle Namgyel, which means “the victorious glorious dragon lineage holder of the ten directions”. The meaning of “Palden” is “glorious”; “Drukpa” is “dragon lineage holder”; “Chogle” is “ten directions” and “Namgyel” is “always victorious”.

The subjects of the country are addressed as drukpas. The official religion of the country is thus called Palden Drukpa Kargyud, which means “the glorious dragon lineage.” The practising Bhutanese monks and nuns, yogis, yoginis and lay people are holders of these lineages. The warmth and blessings of the Teachings are still felt by the people as the lineage was passed down not too long ago.

Bhutan is 70% forestry and her people subsist by farming. To preserve their traditional religion and culture the country has remained closed for a long time. In July 2002, Menjong Chothün Tshogpa (MCT) a non-profit organisation was formed to preserve the temples, monasteries and the natural environment; to ensure that the needs of the monks and nuns are taken care of; and to ensure the continuity of the sacred Buddha Dharma Tradition for the benefit of future generations. His Eminence Trizin Tsering Rinpoche was enthroned as the chairman of MCT by His Holiness Trulku Jigme Chöda Rinpoche 70th Supreme Je Khenpo of Bhutan in June 2003.

Photos of Bhutan
By Courtesy of Morgan Ommer

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