Bhutan and Its Founder Chogyal Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594-1651)[1]
The
Unification of Bhutan into Nation State
Bhutan lies in the eastern himalayan region. People
were living in this part of the region from the time immemorial. The region
(Bhutan) was blessed by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century CE. The seeds of the
Mahayana Buddhism arrived at the Bhutanese soil. People lived in different
valleys. There was no contact among the people of different valleys as they
were cut off by rivers, dense forests and mountains systems. Different valleys
were ruled by petty rulers.
However, in the early 17th century CE, Zhabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal, a Drukpa hierarch from Ralung Monastery came to Bhutan in 1616.
He was welcomed cordially by Hobtsho lama of Gasa. Wherever he visited, a crowd
of people gathered to receive blessing from him. People also offered gifts to
Zhabdrung Rinpoche. The people of Wang (Thimphu) and Paro took Zhabdrung
Rinpoche as their leader.
Although, Zhabdrung left Tibet and came to Bhutan, Tsang Desi Phuntsho Namgyal (1610 - 1613) sent Tibetan forces to attack Zhabdrung Rinpoche. But Zhabdrung Rinpoche gave the Tsang forces a crushing defeat with the help of people from Paro. The Zachen Choje Dorje Gyalpo and people of Wangcha gathered militia and assisted Zhabdrung to fight back the Tsang forces. Prior to the invasion of Tsang Desi, the people of Paro said “Drukpa Rinpoche was under hardship, we cannot simply watch”. Bhutanese forces killed the leader of the Tsang Desi Lagune. They took his knife, hand, head and heart to Zhabdrung Rinpoche with victory flag. Zhabdrung Rinpoche celebrated the first victory from the Tsang Desi in a grand manner.
Then Zhabdrung went to Tango on the invitation of
Tshewang Tenzin who was the descendant of Lam Drukpa Kunle and Phajo Drugom
Zhigpo. Tshewang Tenzin offered Zhabdrung the whole estates of Tango. Then
Zhabdrung meditated in a cave at Tango. His meditation was fruitful one. Tsang
Desi Phuntsho Namgyal passed away in Tibet. Then Zhabdrung composed the sixteen
I, which reflects the greatness of Zhabdrung Rinpoche.
When Zhabdrung Rinpoche was at Tango, one Darchug
Gyaltshen from Chapcha invited Zhabdrung to Chapcha. People of Chapcha received
blessing from Zhabdrung and people offered gifts to Zhabdrung. Darchug Gyaltshen and the Maharja of Cooch
Behar were good friends. Darchug Gyaltshen informed Maharaja Cooch Behar that
Zhabdrung Rinpoche was at Chapcha. The Maharaja sent Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal
silver coins, gold coins, an ivory tusk, and cloths along with letter.
Bhutanese ruler Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in return sent the Cooch Behar
Maharaja sacred knotted threads, blessed pills, a saddle and a set of riding
items. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal wrote the following letter:
“You, my friends have prayed well in your past life.
Though we live in different places, our minds are united. Having received your
letter and precious gifts, I am extremely delighted. I have deeply prayed for
your happiness now and for the future”[2]
Prior to this event, the Cooch Behar Maharaja was
Bir Narayan (1621-1626). The Portuguese Jesuits after visiting the Raja Bir
Narayan at Cooch Behar came to Bhutan and visited Zhabdrung Rinpoche in 1626. On
another occasion, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal sent a letter advising the Maharaja
of Cooch Behar to practice Buddha Dharma. Maharaja responded by saying he was
practicing the Buddha Dharma and Maharaja sent Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal a text
of Gyatongpa.
Cheri is a
place in upper Thimphu valley which is equivalent to Dorjeden of India and
called as Cheri Dorjden. On a good and
lucky day, Zhabdrung founded the Cheri Monastery, at the age of twenty-seven in
1620. The following year, about thirty
monks including Pekar Jungney were recruited to become the first monk body in
Bhutan.
At the age 35, Zhabdrung Rinpoche next visited
Thinley Gang, Thed (Punakha) and Shar (Wangdu Phodrang). Zhabdrung was given
warm welcome. Zhabdrung settled the disputes that were there between the
descendants of Phajo’s son Garton. Like in Wang and Paro, people offered lands
and monasteries to Zhabdrung. But the five group of lamas who did not welcome Zhabdrung,
blocked the ways and even robbed the offerings made to Zhabdrung by people.
Zhabdrung Rinpoche then launched the building
of dzongs to be served as the centres of the both civil and religious administration
and also to protect the valleys from invasions. Dzongs were built at strategic
points. Simtokha Dzong was the first Dzong to be built by Zhabdrung Rinpoche in
1629 at the age of 36. During this time, the five group of lamas attacked
Zhabdrung Rinpoche under the leadership of Ne Nyingpa lama Palden. But he was
killed in the battle. At age 40, Zhabdrung took Nyen Dzog gi Dompa from his
master Ngawang Lodro who was nearing to age eighty. Again there was an attack
by the five group of lamas and Tsang Desi. Tsang Desi attacked Bhutan from
different places such as Paro, Gasa, and Bumthang. But due to the weather and
Bhutan’s mountainous terrain and also the protectors of the Drukpa Kagyud, they
could not invade Bhutan. After the signing of the peace treaty, they left
Bhutan.
At age 41, Zhabdrung went to Gon Gasa.
He visited Gon Khatod and Gon Khame. On his arrival at Tshephu Marak Tika, the
Barawa lama having felt guilty as they had participated in revolting against
Zhabdrung ran away from there and settled at Ladrang. Zhabdrung Rinpoche
meditated for long life at Gon Tshephu which is equivalent to Marak Tika of
Nepal.
Then Zhabdrung visited Kawang, Todwang,
Mewang in Thmphu and went to Paro. At Paro, he visited Wangcha and Shaba. Then
returned to Cheri for rest. Then he again visited Shar valley and further
visited Athang Rukha and finally came to Punakha.
Then Zhabdrung Rinpoche went on building
Punakha Dzong at the confluence of phochu and mochu in 1637. After the
completion of the construction of the Punakha Dzong which took one and half
years, Zhabdrung Rinpoche embarked on the establishment of the dual system of
Government at the centre level where he was the overall leader of a country. To
help him, he made some appointments. He entrusted the civil administration to
his treasurer Umze Tenzin Drugyal. Zhabdrung Rinpoche also appointed Druk
Namgyal as Dronyer after returning from Ralung Monastery. When Zhabdrung left
Ralung Monastery, Druk Namgyal was kept as the Nyerpa of the Ralung
Monastery.The religious activities were looked after by his another trusted disciple
Damcho Gyaltshen.
Zhabdrung Rinpoche began to build
another great Wangdu Phodrang Dzong in 1638. When Zhabdrung was at Wangdu
constructing the Dzong, the combined forces of Tsang Desi and five group of
lamas attacked Punakha Dzong. They surrounded the Punakha Dzong. The Tsang Desi
was invited by the five group of lamas. Actually this time Tsang Desi had no
intention to attack Zhabdrung but they had sent their forces as policy matter
only. Tsang Desi also desired for peace settlement. Zhabdrung Rinpoche then
suppressed the revolts organized by the Tsang forces and five groups of lamas
of Bhutan. One Barawa lama Koncho Gyaltshan was drove out of country to Sikkim[3].
After the succeessful repulsion of the Tibtan forces of Tsang Desi and suppression of the five group of lamas, Zhabdrung Rinpoche became the supreme leader of Bhutan. For this effect, Tsang Desi of Tibet also recognized Zhabdrung Rinpoche as the leader of Bhutan. Zhabdrung Rinpoche’s name and fame spread to neighbouring countries including Ladakh.
Zhabdrung
Rinpoche and King Sengye Namgyal of Ladakh (1616- 1641)
King Sengye Namgyal of Ladakh had a strong faith for both the northern and southern Drukpas. King Sengye Namgyal even invited Zhabdrung Rinpoche to Ladakh. But since Zhabdrung was busy in consolidating his rule in Bhutan, he could not go but sent Choje Mug Dzinpa as his representative[4]. Choje Mug Dzinpa was the first Bhutanese lama to be sent to Ladakh. Choje Mug Dzinpa founded the present Tagna Monastery of Ladakh. But in which year the King Sengye Namgyal made invitation to Zhabdrung Rinpoche and when Choje Muk Dzinpa was sent to Ladakh were not mentioned in both Ladakhi and Bhutanese sources. However, by 1622, Choje Muk Dzinpa was in Ladakh serving the Ladakhi king. In 1622, there was a conflict between Ladakh and Guge where Choje Muk Dzinpa had to mediate and established a truce between the two parties. The two parties agreed for the mediation arranged by the Choje Muk Dzinpa and peace was prevailed for sometimes. Choje Muk Dzinpa called the Tag Tshang Repa who was the representative of the northern Drukpa to his residence and informed him the situation and urged Tag Tshang Repa to settle the conflict permanently. Choje Muk Dzinpa knew that he was not going to live longer. So he advised Tag Tshang Repa to resolve the disputes once for all. Choje Muk Dzinpa passed away in 1624. After the death of Choje Muk Dzinpa, the conflict between the Drukpa monks at Gyapa and the ruler of Guge surfaced again. The troops of Guge took Myanpori Dzong in 1627.The Guge ruler killed some Drukpas and imprisoned about eight monks along with a leader. Zhabdrung Rinpoche was against the Guge leader for his actions and sent Dor Dzin Samten Rabgye and Lobo Chagzod. They captured the outer pasturelands of Guge. However, the conflict was settled by the Tag Tshang Repa who was the representative of the northern Drukpa at Ladakh. King Sengye Namgyal gave many Estates to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal of Bhutan at Kailash, in Guge, Zangskar and Lahul etc. To look after these estates those were received from Ladakhi rulers, Zhabdrung Rinpoche appointed his representatives. As we have read already the case of Choje Muk Dzinpa in Guge, Zhabdrung Rinpoche appointed his representatives at Kailash. The Samten Rabgye as the representative at Kailash was mentioned above. These lama representatives were known by the title “Dor Dzin” and sometimes, they are also called Gangri Lams. The Mount Kailash is the pilgrimage site for Buddhist in general and Brigungpa and Drukpa in particular. Drukpas had established many hermitages for meditation[5].
At the age 48, in 1641, Zhabdrung Rinpoche took over the Do Ngon Dzong of Lhapa and converted into Drukpa palace. It was named as Trashi Chhodzong. Since then Trashi Chhodzong became the summer resident, while Punakha Dzong was the winter resident.
In Tibet, the reign of Tsang Desi declined and the new government was formed by the Gelug School under the leadership of 5th Dalai Lama in 1642. The new Gelug government was known as Gadenpa. Bhutan did not attend the enthronement ceremony of the 5th Dalai Lama as the new leader of Tibet, while Sikkim and other leaders did attend the ceremony. Sonam Chophel was serving as the Depa or regent of the Dalai Lama’s new government.
In 1644, Depa Sonam Chophel and Gushri Khan invaded Bhutan through Bumthang. Their forces consisted of seven hundred Mongol and Tibet troops under the command of three officers of Nangso Dondup, Drontsenas and Dujungnas. After the capturing of three officers by Bhutanese, the troops dispered and ran away back to Tibet. The captured three officers and arms were brought to Punakha dzong. The grand victory ceremony was conducted at Punakha Dzong[6].
In the east, a Dzong was built at Trongsa in 1647 and Chogyal Minjur Tenpa was appointed as Penlop. Prior to the arrival of Zhabdrung Rinpoche in Bhutan, there were many petty rulers ruling each valley. For example, Bumthang was ruled by Chokhor Deb and in Monggar, Lhuntse Trashigang and Trashi Yangtse, there were many many local rulers. Chogyal Minjur Tenpa, Druk Phuntsho, Damcho Rabgye and Lam Namse were the main people who brought the eastern region under the rule of Palden Drukpa.The construction of Jakar Dzong was followed by the Lhuntse Dzong, Zhemgang and Zhonggar Dzong. For these Dzongs, a Dzongpon each was appointed to carry out the administrative works for the welfare of the people.
In 1648, Gadenpa sent much larger army
this time to Bhutan from Paro and Punakha. The Gadenpa forces were led by Depa
Norbu who was the nephew of the regent Sonam Chophel. The Bhutanese forces were
led by La Ngonpa Tenzin Drukdra (by this time, Paro Penlop). When Tenzin
Drukdra retaliated the Gadenpa forces, the Depa Norbu, the commander fled to
Phari. When the news of the defeat of the Gadenpa forces reached at Punakha,
the Gadenpa forces at Punakha left the Punakha Dzong and returned to Tibet. To
celebrate the victory over the Gadenpa invasion, Paro Penlop Tenzin Drukdra
built a Dzong and named it as “Drukgyal Dzong”[7].
In the south, Zhung Dronyer Druk Namgyal
was sent to Daga to suppress the robbers and the unruly people out there. Then
Daga Dzong was constructed in 1649. Tenpa Thinley was appointed as Penlop.
After
reigning the country for about thirty-five years, Zhabdrung Rinpoche entered
into permanent retreat in 1651. Within thirty-five years, he created Bhutan a Nation
state, he established dual system of government, he introduced laws and he
consolidated the teachings of Drukpa Kagyud in Bhutan. Therefore, Bhutanese people should grateful
to Zhabdrung Rinpoche for the unification of the country under his great
leadership. Bhutanese people are also thankful to Zhabdrung Rinpoche for the
creation of a unique customs and traditions for Bhutan which is the cultural
heritage of Bhutan today.
