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77-748: Punakha Dzong was the administrative center and the seat of the Government of Bhutan until 1955 when the capital was moved to Thimphu . It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion. The Dzong is located between the Pho Chhu (Male) and Mo Chhu (Female) river in the Punakha–;valley. The source of the Mo chu river is in the northern hills of Lighsi and Laya in Bhutan, and in Tibet . The Po Chu River

154-520: A constitutional monarchy since 18 July 2008. The King of Bhutan is the head of state . The executive power is exercised by the Lhengye Zhungtshog , or council of ministers, headed by the Prime Minister . Legislative power is vested in the bicameral Parliament , both the upper house, National Council , and the lower house, National Assembly . A royal edict issued on April 22, 2007 lifted

231-483: A tertön or "finder of spiritual relics", he discovered the text of the Six Equal Tastes , previously hidden by Rechung Dorje Drakpa , the student of Milarepa . While on a pilgrimage, Tsangpa Gyare and his disciples witnessed a set of nine dragons ( Tibetan : druk ) roaring out of the earth and into the skies, as flowers rained down everywhere. From this incident they named their sect Drukpa. Also important in

308-606: A government consisting of three main branches – executive, legislative, and judicial – plus the de facto apolitical Dratshang Lhentshog (Monastic Affairs Commission) of the Drukpa Kagyu state religion. The secular and religious branches of government are unified in the person of the Druk Gyalpo (King of Bhutan). The trichotomy of secular government is not absolute. There are many independent commissions, agencies, and institutions that operate outside this general framework, such as

385-436: A highly realized yogi who had many disciples. His main disciples were Orgyenpa Rinchenpel ( Wylie : o rgyan pa rin chen dpal , 1230—1309), Yanggönpa ( Wylie : yang dgon pa ), Chilkarpa ( Wylie : spyil dkar pa ) and Neringpa. Orgyenpa, who was also a disciple of Karma Pakshi, 2nd Karmapa Lama , became a great siddha who traveled to Bodhgaya , Jalandhar , Oddiyana and China. In Oddiyana he received teachings related to

462-655: A member of the branch of the Drukpa lineage descended from Tsangpa Gyare's brother Lhambum Wylie : lha 'bum ). The lineage passed to Sengge Sherap's brother Sengge Rinchen ( Wylie : seng ge rin chen , 1258-1313), who was succeeded in turn by his son Sengge Gyelpo ( Wylie : seng ge rgyal po , 1289-1326), grandson Jamyang Künga Senggé ( Wylie : ' jam dbyangs kun dga' seng ge , 1289-1326), great-grandson Lodrö Sengge ( Wylie : blo gros seng ge , 1345–90) and great-great-grandson Sherap Sengge ( Wylie : shes rab seng ge , 1371–92). These first nine holders of Tsangpa Gyare's lineage were known as

539-572: A mound of stones and a chapel dedicated to the queen of the nāgas . The residential quarters of monks are located in the second courtyard, with the utse intervening in between the first and the second courtyards. There are two historic halls in this courtyard; one of Ugyen Wangchuck, who subsequently became the King and another hall where the King was decorated in 1905 with the Order of the Knight Commander of

616-523: A new wooden cantilever bridge in the traditional style, with a free span of 55 m (180 ft). It was completed in 2008. In 2008, after completion of the cantilever bridge, the new bridge was hailed as a celebration of "100 years of Wangchuck Monarchy in 2008 and to the coronation of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in the Punakha Dzong". Thus, the Dzong has been the venue for coronation of all

693-635: A year here. The 7th Dalai Lama donated the brass roof for the dzong. The House of Wangchuck currently rules the country. This monarchy was established in 1907. The same year, Punakha Dzong was the site of the coronation of Sir Ugyen Wangchuck as the first Druk Gyalpo . At that time, Punakha was the capital of Bhutan. Three years later, a treaty was signed at Punakha whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs. From 1744 to 1763,

770-617: Is a branch of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism . The Kagyu school is one of the Sarma or "New Translation" schools of Tibetan Buddhism. The Drukpa lineage was founded in the Tsang region of Tibet by Tsangpa Gyare (1161–1211), and later became influential in Ladakh and Bhutan. It is one of several lineages known as " Red Hat sects ". Within the Drukpa lineage, there are further sub-schools, most notably

847-634: Is displayed during the festival. During this five-day festival, also known as Punakha festival, held in February/March, there are some very impressive displays. The important display is a re-enactment of the Tibetan invasion of Bhutan in 1639 where the Tibetans were defeated. In this theatrical display, which was conceived by the Zhabdrung, a mock throwing of a relic to the Mo chu river is dramatized. The final day of

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924-619: Is fed by glaciers in the Lunana region of the Punakha valley. After the confluence of these two rivers, the main river is known as Puna Tsang chu or Sankosh River and flows down through Wangdue Phodrang , crosses the Bhutan–;India border at Kalikhola and eventually meets the Brahmaputra River . In view of the healthy climate in the region, Punakha is the winter capital of Bhutan. The head of

1001-608: Is member of the AsDB , BIMSTEC , CP , ESCAP , FAO , G-77 , IBRD , ICAO , IDA , IFAD , IFC , IMF , Intelsat , Interpol , IOC , ITU , NAM , OPCW , SAARC , UN , UNCTAD , UNESCO , UNIDO , UPU , WHO , WIPO , WMO , WToO . Drukpa Lineage Samding Dorje Phagmo New branches: Tantric techniques : Fourfold division: Twofold division: Thought forms and visualisation: Yoga : The Drukpa or Drukpa Kagyu ( Dzongkha : འབྲུག་པ་བཀའ་བརྒྱུད ) lineage, sometimes called Dugpa in older sources,

1078-409: Is the Druk Gyalpo ("Dragon King"). Although his title is hereditary, he must retire by age 65, and he can be removed by a two-thirds majority vote by the parliament followed by a national referendum, which must pass by a simple majority in all twenty districts of the country. Prior to 2008, a similar abdication process existed under which the unicameral National Assembly, or Tshogdu could force

1155-678: The Constitution of 2008 , the Judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court , the High Court , and twenty Dzongkhag Courts . For thirteen dungkhag jurisdictions in six Dzongkhags , Dungkhag Courts are the courts of first instance. In all jurisdictions outside dungkhags , the Dzongkhag Courts are the civil and criminal courts of first instance. The High Court is the first court of appeal, and

1232-468: The Indian Empire by John Claude White. The third courtyard is at the southernmost end of the dzong where the remains of Pema Lingpa and Ngawang Namgyal are preserved. Machey Lakhang ('machey' literally means "sacred embalmed body") in the third courtyard has the well preserved embalmed body of Zhabdrung. This Lakhang was rebuilt in 1995. The casket containing the embalmed body is not opened at all. However,

1309-610: The Life of Milarepa , the Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa , the Life of Rechungpa , and compiler of the Demchog Khandro Nyengyud ; Drukpa Kunley (1455-1529); and Ünyön Künga Zangpo ( Wylie : dbus smyon kun dga' bzang po , 1458-1532). All three were disciples of the 4th Gyalwang Drukpa. Following the death of the 4th Gyalwang Drukpa, two incarnations were recognized: Paksam Wangpo ( Wylie : dpag bsam dbang po ), who

1386-696: The Royal Monetary Authority and Election Commission. There are also agencies whose members are drawn from more than one branch of government, such as the Judicial Commission. In addition, there are several ministries within the cabinet executive branch, such as the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs , which in turn delegate powers to subsidiary departments according to legislation by the legislative branch. The legislative branch itself oversees devolved local governments . Bhutan's head of state

1463-453: The dzongkhag Drangpon (District Judge). Bhutan has not accepted compulsory International Court of Justice jurisdiction . Bhutan is divided in 20 districts ( dzongkhag , singular and plural); Bumthang , Chukha , Dagana , Gasa , Ha , Lhuntse , Mongar , Paro , Pemagatshel , Punakha , Samdrup Jongkhar , Samtse , Sarpang , Thimphu , Trashirang , Trashiyangtse , Trongsa , Tsirang , Wangdue Phodrang , and Zhemgang . Bhutan

1540-407: The "Incomparable Nine Lions" ( Wylie : mnyam med seng ge dgu ). Sherap Sengge, who died at the age of 21, was succeeded on the throne of Ralung by his elder brother Yeshe Rinchen ( Wylie : ye shes rin chen , 1364-1413) and he by his sons Namkha Pelzang ( Wylie : nam mkha' dpal bzang , 1398-1425) and Sherap Zangpo ( Wylie : shes rab bzang po , 1400–38). These three were considered the emanations of

1617-543: The "Rabney ceremony" performed by the Je Khenpo and the monks of the Dratshang (central monk body) was held from May 13 to 15, 2004, corresponding to the 12th to 14th day of the third Bhutanese month. The restoration works were largely funded by the Government of India and the Dzong stands fully restored to its past glory. After complete restoration of the Dzong to its old glory, notable images, statues and thangkas are displayed in

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1694-433: The 'Middle Drukpas'. After the death of 4th Gyalwang Drukpa , Kunkhyen Pema Karpo , in 1592, there were two rival candidates for his reincarnation. Gyalwang Pagsam Wangpo , one of the candidates, was favored by the King of Tsang and prevailed. His rival, Ngawang Namgyal , was then invited to Western Bhutan and eventually he unified the entire country and established Drukpa as the preeminent Buddhist school from Haa all

1771-470: The (Chinese-recognized) Karmapa , Ogyen Trinley Dorje . The Gyalwang Drukpa stated, "They are using (the Karmapa's) name, but I don't think he is responsible." The office of Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje quickly replied, saying, "His Holiness does not believe in (forced) conversion. He has a broad outlook, and there is no conversion plan. He believes in harmony and dialogue between all sects, and we all belong to

1848-540: The 12th Gyalwang Drukpa was released where the Drukpa discussed his views on trees and religion. He believes that trees , plants , and nature communicate with Buddhists , Christians , and those of every religion and lack thereof . On 14 May 2014, the Department of Posts celebrated Buddha Purnima with the release of a commemorative stamp on the Drukpa Buddhists, a rare and perhaps the first recognition given by

1925-481: The 1910 Treaty of Punakha . However, due to the policy of self-imposed isolationism, the effect of the treaty was limited to an extent. After Indian independence in 1949, Bhutan and India agreed to a ten-article, perpetual treaty which effectively continued the relationship, but with India replacing the United Kingdom. India agreed not to interfere in Bhutan's internal relations, while Bhutan agreed "to be guided by

2002-402: The Dzong consisted of compacted earth, stones and timber in doors and windows. The dzong was constructed as an "embodiment of Buddhist values" and was one of the 16 dzongs built by the Zhabdrung during his rule from 1594 to 1651. The dzong measures 180 m (590 ft) in length with a width of 72 m (236 ft) and has three docheys (courtyards). The defensive fortifications built in

2079-494: The Dzong. These include murals depicting life story of Buddha done during the rule of the second druk desi. Large gilded statues of Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung which belong to mid 18th century, and gilded panels on pillars are also here. A covered wooden cantilever bridge crossing the Mo Chu river was built together with the Dzong in the 17th century. This bridge was washed away by a flash flood in 1957. In 2006, work started on

2156-631: The Election Commission, an independent government regulatory agency. Candidates for most elections and appointments in Bhutan must be non-partisan; however, political parties may slate candidates for seats in the National Assembly . The party that wins the most seats nominates the Prime Minister . The first Prime Minister, Jigme Thinley , was a member of the Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party . The second Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, heads

2233-651: The Guinness World Record twice for most trees planted simultaneously. The first in October 2010, 9,313 volunteers planted 50,033 trees within half an hour, breaking their first Guinness World Records for the "Most Trees Planted" category. In October 2012, they broke again the Guinness World Records for the same category, with over 9,800 volunteers planted nearly 100,000 trees, safeguarding villages from mudslides and cleaning polluted air. The Drukpa lineage under

2310-629: The Himalayas and the first 12,000 biodegradable balloons sent to the sky, was covered by international media In 2010, the Gyalwang Drukpa launched an initiative to plant one million trees in Ladakh, as part of the 'one million trees' campaign initiated by Wangari Maathaï, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004. As part of this initiative, the Gyalwang Drukpa led the Live to Love volunteers to break

2387-616: The Indian government to a particular Buddhist lineage. On 10 September 2014, the Gyalwang Drukpa issued an official statement accusing Beijing of fanning intra-sect rivalries by using the Chinese-led subset-under-occupation of the Karma Kagyu to forcibly take over Drukpa monasteries in the holy Mount Kailash area of Tibet, with Drukpa monks and yogis being forced out of their monasteries, and photographs of Drukpa masters replaced with photographs of

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2464-626: The People's Democratic Party. The current Prime Minister, Dr. Lotay Tshering, heads the Druk Nyamrup Tshongpa. Political pressure groups include the Buddhist clergy; ethnic Nepalese organizations leading militant anti-government campaign; Indian merchant community and the exiled United Front for Democracy. Bhutan's legal system is based on codes established by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 17th century and influenced by Anglo-Indian common law . Under

2541-743: The Six Branch Yoga of the Kalachakra system known as the "Approach and Attainment of the Three Adamantine States" ( Wylie : rdo rje gsum gyi bsnyen sgrub ) and, after returning to Tibet, founded the Orgyen Nyendrup tradition and wrote many works including a famous guide to the land of Oddiyana. Ogyenpa had many disciples including Rangjung Dorje, 3rd Karmapa Lama , Kharchupa ( Wylie : mkhar chu pa , 1284—1339) and Tokden Daseng ( Wylie : rtogs dan zla seng ). Barawa Gyeltsen Pelzang (1255-1343)

2618-674: The Supreme Court is the court of final appeal. The Supreme Court also has original jurisdiction over Constitutional questions and matters of national importance referred by the King . Judges of the Supreme and High courts are appointed by the King. Before 2008 in the Bhutanese judicial system , the monarch was the final court of appeal (the "Supreme Court of Appeal"), and local government officials adjudicated minor crimes. The Royal High Court of Bhutan

2695-694: The Tsangpa ruler. Due to those events, the Central Drukpa split into the Southern Drukpa led by the Zhabdrung and his successors in Bhutan and the Northern Drukpa led by Gyalwang Pagsam Wangpo and the successive Gyalwang Drukpa tulkus in Tibet. The Lower Drukpa ( Wylie : smad 'brug ) was founded by Tsangpa Gyare's disciple Loré Wangchuk Tsöndrü ( Wylie : lo ras dbang phyug brtson 'grus , 1187-1250). Lorepa built

2772-412: The accused. If this happens quickly, the sentencing may be lenient. If culpability is obvious but the accused refuses to admit to it, the sentence may be correspondingly severe. Judges may dismiss the case for lack of proof at any time. Recent legislation defines required proof of guilt more closely, providing increased protection against trivial or mistaken charges. Minor criminal offences may be tried by

2849-587: The advice of the Government of India in regard to its external relations" (Article 2). The treaty also established free trade and full extradition between the two countries. In February 2007, the Indo-Bhutan Friendship Treaty was substantially revised with all references to phrases such as "will be guided" deleted, thus eliminating the last lingering doubts about the sovereign and independent status of Bhutan. The Constitution of Bhutan provides for

2926-521: The broad Buddhist tradition." Spokesperson Kunzang Chunvyalp added that the Karmapa has urged that Drukpa monasteries which have been desecrated "be restored because they are very sacred." In 2018 BBC reported on the Kung Fu Nuns from the Drukpa Kagyu school who are mostly black belts in kung fu . After a visit to Vietnam where the Gyalwang Drukpa saw nuns receiving combat training, he decided to bring

3003-461: The chief monasteries and succession of Gyalwang Drukpa Tsangpa Gyare passed to his nephew, Önre Darma Senge, at Ralung Monastery; this lineage was known as the Central Drukpa. This lineage of hereditary "prince-abbots" of Ralung continued until 1616, when Ngawang Namgyal , the Zhabdrung Rinpoche , fled to Bhutan due to a dispute over the incarnation of the 4th Gyalwang Drukpa and the enmity of

3080-430: The clergy of Bhutan with his entourage of monks spend the winter in this dzong. Jacaranda trees grow around the dzong, blooming with mauve flowers in the spring. As Punakha Dzong is located at only 1,200 meters, you will not suffer from oxygen shortages as you would in higher places such as Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), so it is a good place for beginner hiker to start from, as you may struggle with altitude sickness in

3157-638: The country, after which the country became known as Drukyül in Standard Tibetan and Dzongkha . The Southern Drukpa are led by the Je Khenpo (an elected office, not a tulku lineage), who is the chief abbot of the Dratshang Lhentshog of Bhutan. The Northern Drukpa are led by the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa or incarnation of the Gyalwang Drukpa . In Kham , Khamtrul Rinpoche traditionally has been

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3234-400: The dzong to protect it from enemy attacks consist of a steep wooden draw stairway and a heavy wooden door that is closed at night. After the dzong suffered damage due to a fire, a large prayer hall was added in 1986. Administrative offices of the dzong, a very large, white-washed stupa and a bodhi tree are located in the first courtyard. Also seen in the same courtyard, on the far left, are

3311-431: The dzong was enlarged substantially during the rule of the 13th desi, when Sherab Wangchuk was the chief abbot of Bhutan. Several fires between 1750 and 1849 caused damages to the Dzong. In the 1897 earthquake, the dzong was severely damaged and also suffered numerous fires. In 1986, the dzong was partially destroyed by fire The wedding of the Druk Gyalpo , Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck , and his fiancée, Jetsun Pema ,

3388-505: The eastern Kham tradition and middle Drukpa school which prospered in Ladakh and surrounding areas. In Bhutan the Drukpa lineage is the dominant school and state religion. The Drukpa lineage was founded in the Tsang region of Tibet by Tsangpa Gyare (1161–1211), a student of Ling Repa, who mastered the Vajrayana practices of the mahamudra and Six Yogas of Naropa at an early age. As

3465-421: The festival marks the display of an image of Zhabdrung followed by a group dance performance by 136 people, dressed as warriors, in the main courtyard. At the end of the performance, the dancers descend down the front entrance of the dzong in revelry – whistling and shouting. The Monks led by the Je Khenpo of the Dzong then parade to the Mo chu river bank with lot of fan fare. Je Khenpo then flings oranges into

3542-439: The first Gyalwang Drukpa , may be divided into two categories: blood relatives and spiritual sons. His nephew, Onre Darma Sengye (1177–1237), ascended the throne at Ralung , the main seat of the Drukpa lineage. Darma Sengye guided the later disciples of Tsangpa Gyare, such as Gotsangpa Gonpo Dorje (1189–1258), onto the path of realization, thus becoming their guru as well. Darma Sengye's nephew and their descendants held

3619-563: The first few days. Punakha is also the center of Bhutan's second longest suspension bridge (Punakha Suspension Bridge) and is about 7.5 km (4.5 miles) by car to Chimi Lhakhang , the Divine Madman's fertility temple. Legend tells how Zowe Palep, the architect, had a vision in a dream after the Zhabdrung ordered him to sleep under a small structure which contained a statue of the Buddha, known as Dzong Chug "small dzong". In his dream, prompted by

3696-523: The first leader of a unified Bhutan, following his concerted efforts to unify the country into one unit. The dzong was consecrated in the name of Pungthang Dechen Phodrang. In 1639, a commemorative chapel was erected to house the arms seized from the Tibetans who were defeated by the Bhutanese on this spot. The Zhabdrung also set up a monastic order with 600 monks (brought from Cheri Gompa of upper Thimphu valley) and he lived here till his death. The spire at

3773-645: The guidance of its spiritual masters, in particular the Twelfth Gyalwang Drukpa, has established centers across the world, especially in Europe. In 2016, National Geographic Books published the book StarTalk : Everything You Ever Need to Know About Space Travel, Sci-Fi, the Human Race, the Universe, and Beyond , in which a fragment of an interview Neil deGrasse Tyson , Eugene Mirman , and Jason Sudekis had with

3850-407: The king to abdicate. The Je Khenpo is the highest religious official of Bhutan and head of the Dratshang Lhentshog (Monastic Affairs Commission). He is typically viewed as the closest and most powerful advisor to the King of Bhutan . The 70th and present Je Khenpo is Jigme Chhoeda . Bhutan's head of government is its Prime Minister . The Prime Minister is nominated by the party that wins

3927-421: The kings of Bhutan. A memorial honouring the 23 people who died in the dzong in the glacial floods in 1994 has also been erected just outside the dzong. Domche is the annual festival held at the Dzong, which is largely attended by people from all villages and far places of the district. The ranghung "self-created" image of Avalokiteśvara enshrined in the utse of the dzong (brought by the Zhabdrung from Tibet)

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4004-469: The klo pa", the inhabitants of southeastern Tibet. This monastery, which is located in modern Lhoka Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region near the border with Arunachal Pradesh , India, became the seat of the successive Gyalwang Drukpa incarnations in Tibet and thus the center of the Northern Drukpa. Three great siddhas of Middle Drukpa school were Tsangnyön Heruka (1452-1507), author of

4081-429: The legislative branch was the unicameral Tshogdu . The Tshogdu had 150 members, 106 members elected at various dates for a three-year term in single-seat constituencies , 34 appointed members and 10 representatives of the monastic body. Suffrage in Bhutan at that time was unique in that each family unit, rather than individual, had one vote. In Bhutan, political parties , elections, and referendums are overseen by

4158-550: The lineage were the root guru of Tsangpa Gyare, Ling Repa and his guru, Phagmo Drupa Dorje Gyalpo , who was in turn a principal disciple of Gampopa as well as Dampa Sumpa , one of Rechung Dorje Drakpa's main disciples. A prominent disciple of Tsangpa Gyare's nephew, Onre Darma Sengye, was Phajo Drugom Zhigpo (1208–1276) who in 1222 went to establish the Drukapa Kagyu teachings in the valleys of western Bhutan . The disciples of Tsangpa Gyare Yeshi Dorje (1161–1211),

4235-431: The monarch, elected by the National Assembly. The members served fixed, five-year terms. There was also a Royal Advisory Council ( Lodoi Tsokde ), members nominated by the monarch. Bhutan elects its legislative branch through universal suffrage under the Constitution of 2008 . The Bhutanese parliament is bicameral, consisting of a National Council (upper house) and a National Assembly (lower house). Prior to 2008,

4312-410: The most prominent Drukpa lineage master, and still commands a huge following in Kham. Unlike previously where the lineage was divided geographically into Northern, Middle and Southern Drukpa, the Drukpa lineage masters today often cross these traditional borders and communicate to strengthen the lineage and the teachings. In April 2009, the first of a yearly event known as the Annual Drukpa Council (ADC)

4389-435: The most seats in the National Assembly and heads the executive cabinet, called the Lhengye Zhungtshog (Council of Ministers). In 1998, the monarch's executive powers were transferred to the Council of Ministers, or Lhengye Zhungtshog (cabinet). At the time, candidates for the Council of Ministers were elected by the National Assembly for a fixed five-year term and had to be a part of the legislative assembly. The cabinet

4466-406: The place is visited by the King and the Je Khenpo mainly to seek blessings before assuming their offices. Flash floods resulting from glacial lake outburst flooding in the upper reaches of the valley, are a common occurrence in the Mo Chu and Pho Chu rivers, and in the past caused flooding and damage to the dzong, especially in 1957, 1960 and 1994. Fires and earthquakes have also further added to

4543-448: The previous ban on political parties in anticipation of the National Assembly elections in the following year. In 2008, Bhutan adopted its first modern Constitution , codifying the institutions of government and the legal framework for a democratic multi-party system . The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Bhutan a " hybrid regime " in 2022. Bhutanese external relations and foreign policies were put under British control following

4620-426: The problem. In 1996, flash floods in the Pho Chu river damaged the large stupa and caused several deaths. After a major refurbishing work carried out in the "zorig chusum tradition" (an ancient tradition of crafts in wood carving, masonry, metal work, painting, and several other skills), the Dzong now has several new Lhakhangs, over 200 new religious images, and several other treasures. A consecration ceremony known as

4697-450: The psychic powers of the Zhabdrung, he had a clear vision of a palace for Guru Rinpoche. The vision was imprinted on the architect's mind, enabling him to conceive the plan for the dzong without putting the vision on paper and to build it. On the basis of the dream vision of the architect, the building of the dzong was started in 1637 and completed in 1638, at the place where the Dzong Chug had existed. During this period, Ngawang Namgyal became

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4774-473: The river marking the Rangjung Kharsapani , which is considered an offering to the nāgas residing below the river bed. After this act, the traditional mask dances commemorating the construction of the Dzong are performed in the Dzong premises. Another ritual observed every year at this dzong is called the Lhenkey Dungchhur , and is a worship for departed souls. Politics of Bhutan Parliament Judiciary The Government of Bhutan has been

4851-418: The seat at Ralung and continued the lineage. Gyalwa Lorepa, Gyalwa Gotsangpa and his disciple Gyalwa Yang Gonpa, are known as Gyalwa Namsum or the Three Victorious Ones in recognition of their spiritual realization. The followers of Gyalwa Lorepa came to be called the 'Lower Drukpas'. The followers of Gyalwa Gotsangpa came to be called the 'Upper Drukpas'. And the followers of Onre Darma Sengye came to be called

4928-408: The spiritual head of all monasteries in Bhutan, successive Je Khenpos have acted to date as spiritual regents of Bhutan. Several of Tsangpa Gyare's students started sub-schools, the most important of which were the Lower Drukpa founded by Gyalwa Lorepa Wangchug Tsondru and the Upper Drukpa founded by Gyalwa Gotsangpa Gonpo Dorje . This branch further gave rise to several important sub-schools. However

5005-422: The strengths of the Drukpa lineage and to mend the historical connections of different monasteries and organizations. In July 2007, when the lineage celebrated its 800-plus-years' legacy in Shey , Ladakh, more than 100,000 attended the event that included celebrations and prayers, as well as mask dancing by 300 nuns. This event, boasted of the first firework in the Himalayas, the first 800 sky lanterns being lit in

5082-754: The three mahāsattvas Manjusri , Vajrapani and Avalokiteśvara , respectively. Sherap Zangpo's son was the second Gyalwang Drukpa, Gyelwang Jé Künga Penjor ( Wylie : rgyal dbang rje kun dga' dpal 'byor , 1428–76), who received teachings from the most renowned lamas of his age and became a great author and teacher. From the 2nd Gyalwang Drukpa, the lineage passed to his nephew Ngakwang Chögyel ( Wylie : ngag dbang chos rgyal , 1465-1540), then successively in turns from father to son to Ngak gi Wangchuk Drakpa Gyeltsen ( Wylie : ngag gi dbang phyug grags pa rgyal mtshan , 1517-1554), Mipham Chögyal ( Wylie : mi pham chos rgyal , 1543-1604), Mipham Tenpa'i Nyima ( Wylie : mi pham bstan pa'i nyi ma , 1567-1619) and Ngawang Namgyal, who

5159-411: The top of the utse (the dzong's central tower or the main tower) was added in 1676 by Gyaltsen Tenzin Rabgye–the abbot of the dzong. Further additions were made during the period 1744 to 1763, when Sherab Wangchuk was the ruler. A large thangka known as chenma (great) thoundral of the Zhabdrung was donated to the Dzong by the Desi (ruler). This thangka is displayed during the tshechu held once

5236-414: The way to Trongsa . The Drukpa lineage was divided from that time on into the Northern Drukpa ( Dzongkha : བྱང་འབྲུག་ , Wylie : byang 'brug ) branch in Tibet headed by the Gyalwang Drukpa and the Southern Drukpa ( Dzongkha : ལྷོ་འབྲུག་ , Wylie : lho 'brug ) based in Bhutan and headed by the Zhabdrung incarnations. Ever since Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal appointed Pekar Jungne as the 1st Je Khenpo ,

5313-456: The Üri ( Wylie : dbu ri ) and Sengeri ( Wylie : seng ge ri ) monasteries and visited Bhutan, where he founded Tharpaling Monastery ( Wylie : thar pa gling ) in Jakar . A special transmission of the Lower Drukpa lineage is known as The Five Capabilities ( Wylie : thub pa lnga ), which are: The Upper Drukpa ( Wylie : stod 'brug ) was founded Tsangpa Gyare's disciple Götsangpa Gönpo Dorjé ( Wylie : rgod tshang pa mgon po rdo rje , 1189-1258),

5390-413: Was a great scholar of the Upper Drukpa succession of Yanggönpa. He established the Barawa sub-school, which for a time was widespread in Tibet and survived as an independent lineage until 1959. For a time this lineage was also important in Bhutan. The Middle Drukpa ( Wylie : bar 'brug ) was the hereditary lineage of Tsangpa Gyare centered at Ralung. Following Tsangpa Gyare, the next holder of this lineage

5467-432: Was headed by the Prime Minister , who was the head of government . The post of Prime Minister rotated each year between the five candidates who secured the highest number of votes. The 2005 draft Constitution of Bhutan included provision for a two-party democratic system that was unveiled after four years of preparation. Previously, the candidates to the cabinet Council of Ministers ( Lhengye Zhungtshog ) were nominated by

5544-489: Was held at the Punakha Dzong on 13 October 2011. The dzong is part of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism in Bhutan. It is the second oldest and most majestic dzong in Bhutan built at the orders of Ngawang Namgyal. It is a six-storied structure with a central tower or utse at an average elevation of 1,200 m (3,900 ft) with a scenic, mountainous background. The materials used in building

5621-450: Was held on Druk Amitabha Mountain in Kathmandu , Nepal . More than 40 masters of the lineage from India, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet attended this event and over 10,000 lay practitioners and at least 1,000 monks and nuns or more met on this occasion. This was the first time an annual event for the Drukpa lineage involving all the three major branches will be held, as a concerted effort to reunite

5698-533: Was his nephew Darma Sengge ( Wylie : dar ma seng ge , 1177-1237), son of Tsangpa Gyare's brother Lhanyen ( Wylie : lha gnyan ). Darma Sengge was succeeded by his own nephew Zhönnu Sengge ( Wylie : gzhon nu seng ge , 1200–66) and he by his nephew Nyima Sengge ( Wylie : nyi ma seng ge , 1251-1287). The lineage then went to his cousin Dorje Lingpa Sengge Sherap ( Wylie : rdo rje gling pa seng ge shes rab , 1238-1287), son of Wöntak ( Wylie : dbon stag ),

5775-653: Was the great-great-grandson of Ngawang Chögyal. In the Middle Drukpa tradition many great scholars appeared including the fourth Gyalwang Drukpa, Kunkhyen Pema Karpo (kun mkhyen padma dkar po) [1527—1592], Khewang Sangay Dorji (mkhas dbang sangs rgyas rdo rje) [1569—1645] and Bod Khepa Mipham Geleg Namgyal (bod mkhas pa mi pham dge legs rnam rgyal) (1618—1685) who was famed for his knowledge of poetics, grammar and medicine. His collected works fill over twenty volumes in modern editions. He founded Sangngak Chö Monastery ( Wylie : gsang sngags chos gling ) in 1571 to "subdue

5852-567: Was the highest court in the country and had original jurisdiction over the twenty districts of the nation. Judicial appointments were made by the monarch, and could be recalled by him at any time. The criminal justice system is based on trial before a panel of judges, and therefore resembles more the Napoleonic than the British or American adversarial systems. The prosecutor, a government employee, seeks to obtain an acknowledgement of culpability from

5929-466: Was the offspring of the Chongje Depa, and Ngawang Namgyal, who was also the heir to Drukpa lineage of Ralung. Paksam Wangpo gained the backing of the powerful Tsangpa Desi, who was a patron of the Karma Kagyu and hostile to Ngawang Namgyal. The latter subsequently fled to Bhutan, where his lineage already had many followers, established the Southern Drukpa, and became both the spiritual and temporal head of

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