DAWA ZANGMO | Gelephu
More than 40,000 volunteers came together in Gelephu on November 1 to raise 108 sacred Jangchub Chortens in a single day, bringing people from different backgrounds and generations together through faith, devotion and voluntary service.
The historic undertaking at Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) saw the construction of 108 chortens, each measuring 15 metres in height and positioned 108 metres apart along a 12-kilometre stretch of the Mau Chhu.
The project was completed within a few hours through the collective efforts of volunteers from across the country.
The initiative was carried out through zhabto, Bhutan’s tradition of voluntary community service, involving students, farmers, doctors, monks, retirees and people from different walks of life.
With construction materials prepared in advance, in groups of 20 to 24 volunteers were assigned to each chorten. Work officially began at 3am and concluded at noon, completing the undertaking in less than nine hours.
While thousands participated in the construction, an estimated 200,000 people gathered at the site to witness the occasion, filling the spectators’ gallery to capacity.
As darkness covered the area, thousands of people held glowing orbs of light, while others gathered on the ground and inside tents. Many joined in the continuous chanting of “Om Mani Padme Hum”, the six-syllable Buddhist mantra associated with Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
The mantra represents compassion and wisdom, as well as the aspiration to liberate all sentient beings from suffering. The chanting continued into the evening, with people from different parts of the country joining their voices in prayer.
Addressing the volunteers following the successful completion of the project, His Majesty The King acknowledged the contributions of generations of Bhutanese, particularly the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, in protecting the country’s values and guiding its development.
His Majesty said the significance of the occasion extended beyond the physical construction of 108 chortens within a few hours. The blessings, prayers, compassion and love for the country that brought people of different ages and backgrounds together were the most important achievements of the day.
His Majesty described the collective participation as the true reflection of the Bhutanese spirit and said it was an accomplishment the people should take pride in.
His Majesty also expressed the hope that the unity, devotion and compassion demonstrated during the project would remain unchanged. “My prayer is that we never ever change. Because if we remain who we are, there is nothing we cannot face,” His Majesty said.
For many participants, the project was an opportunity to contribute to a religious undertaking that would hold spiritual significance for generations to come.
The initiative, which was announced by His Majesty on February 21, was realized in just 253 days through the participation of thousands of Bhutanese.
His Majesty said an undertaking that initially appeared difficult and ambitious had become possible through the combined efforts of volunteers, workers, institutions and communities.
Describing the experience as something rarely witnessed, His Majesty said such collective efforts were extraordinary and could happen only in dreams or once in a thousand years.
Participants from different parts of the country shared their experiences of witnessing and contributing to the historic occasion.
A 64 Years old, Abi Jana from Kangpar, Trashigang, said the peaceful atmosphere at the site had left a lasting impression despite the large gathering.
She said the presence of thousands of people had not disrupted the calm and respectful environment, adding that the collective participation made the occasion particularly meaningful.
Abi Jana said being part of an undertaking in which people came together with their hopes and aspirations was a powerful experience, as individual wishes and prayers were united through a common purpose.
International visitors also expressed their appreciation for the experience. Charter, who travelled from Canada, said the experience in Bhutan had exceeded expectations. She said the impressions formed through accounts from others and online videos could not fully capture the spiritual atmosphere and experience of witnessing the event in person.
For Desuup Indra Mune Neopani, a volunteer from Samdrup Jongkhar, the project demonstrated how quickly His Majesty’s vision had been translated into reality.
He reflected on the announcement made by His Majesty on February 21 and the subsequent efforts that brought the 108 Jangchub Chortens project to completion.
For 61-year-old Tshewang Choden from Wangphu, Samdrup Jongkhar, attending the occasion was also a significant family experience. She travelled to Gelephu by bus with her entire family, bringing together members of different generations to witness the event.
Tshewang Choden said it was the first time her family had travelled such a long distance together, making the occasion a special memory for all of them.
She said having different generations of her family witness the historic undertaking together was particularly meaningful and an experience they would remember for years.
The 108 Jangchub Chortens will stand along the Mau Chhu as symbols of faith and devotion. The collective participation of thousands of Bhutanese in raising the structures has also reflected the country’s tradition of voluntary service, shared responsibility and spiritual commitment.
