The first King : Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuk (1861-1926)Sir Ugyen Wangchuck (or Deb Nagpo) (1861–1926) was the first king of Bhutan and founder of Monarchy in Bhutan in 1907, He ruled bhutan from 17 December 1907–21 August 1926. He was the penlop (governor) of Tongsa. From his power base in central Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck defeated his political enemies and united the country following several civil wars and rebellions in 1882-1885. In what was an epochal year for the country, in 1907 Ugyen Wangchuck was unanimously chosen as the hereditary monarch of the country by the people at Punakha, the Capital of Bhutan at the time. For his services to the Francis Younghusband expedition to Lhasa, Tibet, he was knighted by the British in 1904. He was succeed by Jigme Wangchuk.
Friday, January 30, 2009
The First Hereditary Monarch of BHUTAN
The first King : Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuk (1861-1926)Sir Ugyen Wangchuck (or Deb Nagpo) (1861–1926) was the first king of Bhutan and founder of Monarchy in Bhutan in 1907, He ruled bhutan from 17 December 1907–21 August 1926. He was the penlop (governor) of Tongsa. From his power base in central Bhutan, Ugyen Wangchuck defeated his political enemies and united the country following several civil wars and rebellions in 1882-1885. In what was an epochal year for the country, in 1907 Ugyen Wangchuck was unanimously chosen as the hereditary monarch of the country by the people at Punakha, the Capital of Bhutan at the time. For his services to the Francis Younghusband expedition to Lhasa, Tibet, he was knighted by the British in 1904. He was succeed by Jigme Wangchuk.
The Second Hereditary Monarch of BHUTAN
Second King : Jigme Wangchuk (1902/1906–1952) His Majesty Jigme Wangchuk was the second king of bhutan and ruled bhutan from 21 August 1926–24 March 1952, he was educated in English, Hindi and Buddhist literature and under his reign Bhutan continued to maintain almost complete isolation from the outside world, maintaining only limited relation with the United Kingdom, then the colonial power in India responsible for foreign affairs. This responsibility was transferred to India in 1949, shortly after that country gained independence. He was succeeded by his son, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
The Third Hereditary Monarch of BHUTAN
Third King : Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (May 2, 1928-July 21, 1972)His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk was the third king of bhutan after succeeding his father, Jigme Wangchuck, on October 27, 1952, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck was known as the Father of Modern Bhutan as he began to open Bhutan to the outside world, began modernization, and took the first steps toward democratization. He also put an end to feudalism and released all remaining serfs. He encouraged certain modern inventions to assist the local peasantry and introduced wheeled vehicles, where previously the transportation of crops and people was done manually.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Fourth Hereditary Monarch of BHUTAN
Fourth King : Jigme Singye Wangchuk (11 November 1955)His Majesty Jigme Singye Wanghcuk was the fourth King of Bhutan after He acceded to the throne at the age of 17, in 1972, after the sudden death of his father, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. When he was formally crowned on June 2, 1974 he was the youngest monarch in the world and the coronation was noted for inviting foreign dignitaries, thus signaling the end of the long isolation of the country. In the span of 4 decades of his Majesty Rule, Bhutan was transformed to modern era from Medieval era. For his glorious reign, his majesty was named as one of Time magazine's 100 People Who Shape Our World in 2006. He announce his intentition abdicate the throne in 2008, but In a royal edict issued on December 14, 2006, His Majetsy Jigme Singye Wangchuk announced that he would begin handing over power to his eldest son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck immediately. He abdicated the throne in 14th December 2006 to Fifth King His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk.
The Fifth Hereditary Monarch of BHUTAN
Fifth King : Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk (21 February 1980)His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk is the Fifth king of Bhutan and world's youngest head of state ,after fourth king his majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk In December 2005, announced his intention to abdicate in his son's favour in 2008, and that he would begin handing over responsibility to him immediately.On December 14, 2006, he announced his immediate abdication and transfer of the throne to Jigme Khesar Wangchuck. His Majesty Fifth King Official Coronation to be held in 2008.
An Overview of Bhutan
Clinging to a black rock face, 800 meters above the valley floor, nestles Taktsang Lhakhang, one of the holiest sites of Himalayan Buddhism. Such is the sense of peace and serenity as the quiet approach path winds through lush meadow, oak and rhododendron forest, past quaint hamlets, fluttering prayer flags and rotating prayer wheels, and along the precipitous cliff, it is difficult to believe that Bhutan's only airport is barely kilometers away. Taktsang, the tiger's lair, acquires its name from the legend of its foundation, when in the 8th Century Guru Rinpoche, widely revered as the second Buddha, arrived from Tibet flying across the mountains on the back of a tigress. He meditated at the site for three months, from where he used the religious cycle of the Kagye to subjugate the Eight Categories of Evil Spirits, and thus converted the region to Buddhism. Over the centuries many luminaries came to meditate at this intensely spiritual place, enriching the legacy of its founding master and strengthening belief in the Buddhist faith.Through its setting and history, Taktsang stands as a evocative metaphor for Bhutan itself, alluding to some of the defining elements of the diminutive Himalayan kingdom: a spiritual sanctuary, enriched by the thoughts and actions of its ancestors and an enduring intensity of faith; an ecological enclave, where geographical circumstance and human humility have united to preserve an abundant, multi-layered, undistracted environment; a secluded land, occupying a precarious niche in a fast encroaching modern world. Drukyul, the Land of the Thunder Dragon, is particularly distinctive in that it has preserved its overall identity to remain a traditional microcosm somewhat removed from wider global realities. The nation has thus far been blessed with the ability to reproduce itself through ever changing circumstances. In 1998 the Taktsang complex was heavily damaged by fire. The following year popular excitement greeted the discovery of a young boy as the reincarnation of Tenzing Rabgye, the fourth temporal ruler of Bhutan, responsible for originally building the destroyed buildings in 1692. The successful reconstruction is now nearing completion.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
His Eminence the Ninth Khamtrul Rinpoche Jigme Pema Nyinjadh has led some of his friends and his students on several pilgrimages in Bhutan. One of the holy places he visited with a group was Paro Taktsang. As said the physical hardships definitely has a great effect on our mental progress, not only for this life but also for next life, so it is meritorious for us to spare some time from our hectic life and go for a pilgrimages like this in this fragile life. Here is a brief introduction by Khamtrul Rinpoche:
"Framed within the branches of pine trees, Taktsang Dzong Monastery, the most important religious shrine in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, emerges from delicate veil of shifting mist that caress the rocky mountain upon which it is poised. Looking up through the wispy green willow trees that line the road in Paro valley, one can see a tiny spec of a white building clinging to a block cliff at nearly 10,000ft above sea level. The path to the edifice cannot be seen from the road, so it is difficult to believe that one reaches the inner chambers of Taktsang temple after two hours of heart-pounding hiking through a dense forest of oak and rhododendron, climbing staircase curved out of granite.
The Taktsang monastery is one of the most impressive examples of religious architecture in Bhutan,mainly because of its spectacular location on the a ledge with a sheer drop of 1200m below. It seems almost unbelievable that it was possible to build on such a dangerous spot.
Known as Tiger Nest, Taktsang Temple is Bhutan's most recognizable cultural icon, which has been restored after the mysterious fire destroyed it in April 1998. An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 years.
Tiger's Nest temple got its name when in the Eighth Century, Guru Rinpoche rode there on the back of a flying tigress, a manifestation of one of his consorts, and meditated for three months in the cave behind the present-day temple. At that time malignant spirits abounded and, in order to subdue them, he assumed the terrifying form of Guru Dorje Drolo, one of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche, and consecrated Paro Taktsang as a scared sit to protect the Dharma and subdue harmful forces.
The Taktsang monastery consists of a number of temple buildings which the Taktsang Pelphu is the main one.The actual cave where Guru meditated is the most sacred place of Taktsang,around which the lhakhangs are arranged. Later the Tibetan poet saint Jetsun melarepa visited the place and composed one of his songs after having spent three months in meditation in the cave. Another famous person to travel to Taktsang was “iron bridge builder” Thangtong Gyalpo. The Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal visited the place in 1645,but it was only in 1692 that then Paro Penlop had the monastery built in this sacred place. A legend tells that there was not enough support during the construction of the foundation, until some fairies came cutting their long hair to serve as a support for the building. Taktsang is one of the holiest places in Bhutan."
"Framed within the branches of pine trees, Taktsang Dzong Monastery, the most important religious shrine in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, emerges from delicate veil of shifting mist that caress the rocky mountain upon which it is poised. Looking up through the wispy green willow trees that line the road in Paro valley, one can see a tiny spec of a white building clinging to a block cliff at nearly 10,000ft above sea level. The path to the edifice cannot be seen from the road, so it is difficult to believe that one reaches the inner chambers of Taktsang temple after two hours of heart-pounding hiking through a dense forest of oak and rhododendron, climbing staircase curved out of granite.
The Taktsang monastery is one of the most impressive examples of religious architecture in Bhutan,mainly because of its spectacular location on the a ledge with a sheer drop of 1200m below. It seems almost unbelievable that it was possible to build on such a dangerous spot.
Known as Tiger Nest, Taktsang Temple is Bhutan's most recognizable cultural icon, which has been restored after the mysterious fire destroyed it in April 1998. An important place of pilgrimage and refuge for more than 1200 years.
Tiger's Nest temple got its name when in the Eighth Century, Guru Rinpoche rode there on the back of a flying tigress, a manifestation of one of his consorts, and meditated for three months in the cave behind the present-day temple. At that time malignant spirits abounded and, in order to subdue them, he assumed the terrifying form of Guru Dorje Drolo, one of the eight manifestations of Guru Rinpoche, and consecrated Paro Taktsang as a scared sit to protect the Dharma and subdue harmful forces.
The Taktsang monastery consists of a number of temple buildings which the Taktsang Pelphu is the main one.The actual cave where Guru meditated is the most sacred place of Taktsang,around which the lhakhangs are arranged. Later the Tibetan poet saint Jetsun melarepa visited the place and composed one of his songs after having spent three months in meditation in the cave. Another famous person to travel to Taktsang was “iron bridge builder” Thangtong Gyalpo. The Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal visited the place in 1645,but it was only in 1692 that then Paro Penlop had the monastery built in this sacred place. A legend tells that there was not enough support during the construction of the foundation, until some fairies came cutting their long hair to serve as a support for the building. Taktsang is one of the holiest places in Bhutan."
Fifth King : Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk (21 February 1980)His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk is the Fifth king of Bhutan and world's youngest head of state ,after fourth king his majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuk In December 2005, announced his intention to abdicate in his son's favour in 2008, and that he would begin handing over responsibility to him immediately.On December 14, 2006, he announced his immediate abdication and transfer of the throne to Jigme Khesar Wangchuck. His Majesty Fifth King Official Coronation to be held in 2008.
Kings of Bhutan: Bhutan Monarchy
The Bhutan monarchy was formed in 1907 under the leadership of First King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuk, unifying the country under the control of the Wangchuck family, all the kings of bhutan were to serves as the Trongsa Penlop before enthroning becoming the king, The king of Bhutan is formally known as the Druk Gyalpo, the Dragon King. The Year 2008 will be the landmark in the history of Bhutan as Bhutan will Celebrate the 100 years of Monarchy in the Kingdom of Bhutan. The historic occasion will be remembered by all the bhutanese people as they pay and offer gratitude to all the kings who have shaped the country to a present glory.This will offer a life time opportunity to all the people to witness and be a part of the celebration and with guest coming all over from the world, Bhutan will rejoice the moment.As for the General Public and my valuable reader information, here are the brief description of the kings of Bhutan till now.
The tiny Himalayan nation of Bhutan crowned its fifth king Thursday after a two-year wait for the precise moment deemed most favorable by court astrologers for a successful reign.At exactly 8:31 a.m. local time King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, 52, placed the Raven Crown on the head of his son, 28-year old Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, giving him the title of Druk Gyalpo, or Dragon King.The ceremony, symbolizing the strength of the monarchy, was seen as a deeply reassuring moment for the last independent Himalayan Buddhist kingdom — once one of the most cutoff, tightly controlled places on earth, but now slowly opening up to the uncertainties of modernity and vagaries of democracy.Conducted in the Tashichho Dzong, a massive 17th century white-walled fortress that serves both as administrative headquarters and a monastic center, the coronation was an elaborate display of color, mingled with sacred Buddhist rituals.After being greeted by troupes of brightly clad dancers, who whirled through the frigid morning air to the sounds of drums, cymbals and trumpets, the royal family, heads of government and the chief abbot went up to the throne room.There, the new king received his satin and silk crown topped with an embroidered raven’s head, from his father before taking his seat on the intricately carved golden throne, which is decorated with a large bowl of fruit.The new king then proceeded through an honor guard, past three massive four-story high banners depicting the lives of Buddha and the gurus who brought the faith to Bhutan, to the temple on the other side of the fortress.
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