His Holiness highlights Bhutan’s historic ties with the Karma Kagyu lineage
TIL BDR GHALLEY | Thimphu
His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, bestowed sacred wang blessings on devotees at Changlimithang in Thimphu on November 6, drawing thousands of people to the Tsasum Drildrub empowerment ceremony during his first visit to Bhutan.
The Global Peace Prayer Ground at Changlimithang Stadium, the adjacent parking area and Centenary Park were filled with devotees from across the country and neighbouring regions who had gathered to receive blessings from the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism.
Addressing the gathering, His Holiness highlighted Bhutan’s distinctive place in the Buddhist world, its historical relationship with the Karma Kagyu lineage and the vision of His Majesty The King.
He said Bhutan held a special position as the only independent country where Mahayana Buddhism, particularly Vajrayana Buddhism, had flourished and remained deeply rooted. Its association with the Drukpa Kagyu and other Buddhist traditions had made the country particularly significant in the Buddhist world.
His Holiness expressed confidence that His Majesty The King’s vision would bring greater prosperity and happiness to Bhutan and prayed for its successful fulfilment.
He traced the historical relationship between the Karmapa lineage and Bhutan to more than eight centuries ago, recalling that the First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, had visited Bhutan and meditated at Taktsang in Paro.
He also highlighted the spiritual connections between the Karma Kagyu lineage and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, while paying tribute to Bhutanese Buddhist masters who helped preserve the lineage during difficult periods in Tibet.
In particular, he acknowledged Namkha Gyeltsen a disciple of 5th Karmapa Deshin Shegpa for his role in preserving the Karma Kagyu lineage.
His Holiness also recalled the diplomatic contributions of the 12th Karmapa, Changchub Dorje, and the eighth Shamarpa, Palchen Chokyi Dondrub, who helped establish peace between Bhutan and Tibet through negotiations during a period of conflict.
The relationship between successive Karmapas and Bhutan’s monarchs, particularly the Third and Fourth Druk Gyalpos, had continued across generations, he said.
His Holiness thanked His Majesty The King, His Majesty The Fourth Druk Gyalpo and the Royal Family for making his visit possible.
He said he had heard about the special relationship between Bhutan and the 16th Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, since childhood and had wished to visit the country for several decades.
Turning to the completion of 108 Jangchub Chortens in a single day at Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) on November 1, His Holiness described the achievement as extraordinary and a significant milestone in Buddhist history.
Comparing the achievement with the historical efforts of Emperor Ashoka, who built numerous stupas to spread Buddhism, he said there was no record of 108 chortens being raised in a single day.
“Something that has never been witnessed before has now taken place in the land of Bhutan,” he said.
His Holiness said the achievement, made possible under the leadership of His Majesty The King and through the participation of thousands of Bhutanese, Buddhist masters and visitors from around the world, would bring immense blessings and prosperity to the country.
He said the 108 chortens had elevated GMC and Bhutan as pilgrimage destinations comparable to Bodh Gaya, the Potala Palace and Mount Wutai, associated with Manjushri.
Bringing together sacred Buddhist sites and traditions from different parts of the world would allow visitors to experience their spiritual significance without having to travel to different countries, he said.
His Holiness also prayed for Bhutan to remain a land of peace, spiritual heritage and happiness.
During the ceremony, he bestowed oral transmissions of sacred mantras associated with Guru Rinpoche, Chenrezig and Drolma (Tara). Recognising the presence of students among the gathering, he also bestowed the oral transmission of Jamphel Yang (Manjushri).
For many devotees, the ceremony was a rare opportunity to receive blessings in person from a spiritual leader whose lineage has maintained close ties with Bhutan for centuries.
Devotees from across the country began arriving at Changlimithang on November 5, with many staying overnight to attend the ceremony. Despite the large gathering, they said they felt fortunate to receive blessings from His Holiness.
Devika Chettri, a devotee from Tsirang, said she felt fortunate to receive blessings despite the large crowds. “It was a rare and meaningful opportunity to receive blessings from His Holiness in person.”
For Karma Tshering from Paro, the ceremony was an opportunity to deepen his spiritual connection. He said receiving wang from His Holiness had strengthened his faith and brought him a sense of peace.
Similarly, Tshering Gyeltshen, a 40-year-old devotee from Wangdue Phodrang, described receiving wang from His Holiness as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “It is a rare privilege to receive blessings from His Holiness, and I feel fortunate to have witnessed this occasion.”
For Passang Wangdi, the significance of the occasion went beyond the blessing itself. “Standing among thousands of devotees and receiving blessings from His Holiness was overwhelming. I felt a deep sense of peace, and the experience has renewed my commitment to follow the teachings of the Buddha.”
The gathering was among the major engagements during the Karmapa’s first visit to Bhutan, which began on October 30.
His visit included engagements in Paro and Gelephu, meetings with members of the Royal Family, an address to more than 1,000 students and teacher trainees at Paro College of Education, and participation in Project 108 at GMC on November 1.
His Holiness also sponsored three of the 108 Jangchub Chortens together with his students. His contribution covered the illumination of all 108 structures and the 12-kilometre circumambulation path surrounding the site.
The Karma Kagyu is one of the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, with a lineage spanning approximately 900 years. The Gyalwang Karmapa is its spiritual head and has followers across several countries.
