--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tendrel
I have described the meaning and significance of the tendrel for the better understanding of the three important events happened in the history of Bhutan in 2016. According to the Nalanda Translation Committee, tendrel (skt. Pratitya-Damutpada) is the abbreviated form of Tibetan word, "ten-chig drelwar jungwa (rten cing 'brel bar 'byung ba), which has been variously translated as " dependent arising, dependent co-origination, interdependent, relativity, and auspicious coincidence". Therefore, tendrel is often used in connotation to signify auspiciousness and good fortune which happens as the result of all the situations arising together through the coming of various factors. So ten means 'to depend', and drel means 'connection or relationship.'( https://www.nalandatranslation.org/choosing-the-right-word/dependent-arising-tendrel/)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On 6th March 2016 under the Tendrel Initiative, the whole nation observed the day to mark the three auspicious events:
Tendrel
I have described the meaning and significance of the tendrel for the better understanding of the three important events happened in the history of Bhutan in 2016. According to the Nalanda Translation Committee, tendrel (skt. Pratitya-Damutpada) is the abbreviated form of Tibetan word, "ten-chig drelwar jungwa (rten cing 'brel bar 'byung ba), which has been variously translated as " dependent arising, dependent co-origination, interdependent, relativity, and auspicious coincidence". Therefore, tendrel is often used in connotation to signify auspiciousness and good fortune which happens as the result of all the situations arising together through the coming of various factors. So ten means 'to depend', and drel means 'connection or relationship.'( https://www.nalandatranslation.org/choosing-the-right-word/dependent-arising-tendrel/)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On 6th March 2016 under the Tendrel Initiative, the whole nation observed the day to mark the three auspicious events:
1. The birth of Prince ( Gyalsey)
2. 400 years of Zhabdrungs arrival to Bhutan (1616 AD), the spiritual rural and unifier of Bhutan
3. Guru Rinpoche's ( Skt. Padmasambhava) birth year, who propagated the Buddha dharma, popularly known as the Vajrayana Buddhism in Bhutan. |
| Plantation at the base of Buddha Dordenma |
I was one amongst the thousands who participated in this one time opportunity to mark the three best rare auspicious events at the base of Buddha Dordenma (168ft), one of the largest Buddha statues in the world by planting 108000 saplings. The schools, offices, and business remained closed for the day! The day was an opportunity for every citizen to pay tribute for the happening of three auspicious occasions as mentioned above. As the blessings marked the day like never before, people of Bhutan once again rejoice the timely birth of Gyalsey, the Crown Prince. Bhutan, though being a small and landlocked country, surrounded by Himalayan mountains, and also by two large nations have always maintained its sovereignty and a reputation of a good friend with other nations. This has been possible because of our farsighted leaders who sacrificed for his countrymen. The timely arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and Guru Rinpoche, the precious teacher was yet blessing for the tiny nation like ours. Today we stand as proud as before!
Their Significance to Our Nation
1. 2016- The Gyalsey (Prince) was born.
2. 2016: 400 Years of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel's arrival to Bhutan (1616-2016).
Coinciding with the birth of Prince, the year also marked the 400 years of Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyel's arrival to Bhutan in 1616. His arrival brought significant changes in the country as One Nation who is known as the founding father of Bhutan. He established the dual system of government, spiritual and secular, and the Drukpa Kargyud sect of Buddhism as the state religion since then.
He is credited for the unification and consolidation of the fragmented regions from the internal and external feuds and who ultimately brought the nation under his rule and established many dzongs and monsateries signifying his victrious over the enemies.
One of the significant contributions of Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyel to Bhutan's political history is 'Kathrim', a formal code of laws which contains the specific reference to the ten pious acts, Lhachoe Gyewa Chu and the sixteen virtuous acts of social piety, referred to as Michoe Tsangma Chudrug.
It was on the day of Zhabdrung Kuchoe (death anniversary of Zhabdrung, 10th day of the 3rd Bhutanese month), His Royal Highness The Gyalsey received his name from the most sacred Machhen Lhakhang at Punakha dzong. It is on the basis of this Code, the National Assembly of Bhutan enacted the first comprehensive codified laws, Thrimzhung Chhenmo in 1959. Also today, under the leadership of our King, the laws have been adopted as the Constitution of Bhutan.
3. 2016- The birth year of Guru Rinpoche
The third 'tendrel' was that on this day, on Water Monkey year Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha known by the Nyingma followers was born, which made the birth of Gyalsey a very auspicious and holy one. Also, the historical connection of the birth of our Monarchs and Guru Rinpoche was prophesied as recorded in Kathang Duepa, a brief biography of Guru Rinpoche which states, " From the direction of Bumthang, the limits to the throne will be overcome/There will appear my emanation, who will reign in accordance with the dharma." The first hereditary Monarch reigned from Bumthang. The name is also associated with Guru Rinpoche, know as Ugyen Guru.
It was after the arrival of Guru the advent of Buddhism first started in Bhutan in the 8th century. He is the epitome of Bhutanese religious ideal and can rightly be considered as the spiritual father or patron saint of Bhutan.
Their Significance to Our Nation
1. 2016- The Gyalsey (Prince) was born.
 |
| Gyalsey with King and Queen |
Since the announcement of the marriage by His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk to Her Majesty Gyaltsuen Jetsuen Pema, the people of Bhutan waited with much anticipation for the coming of new Prince, the future King of Bhutan. With the blessings of guardian deities of Bhutan and the protector of dharma and the prayers of Bhutanese people, on February 5th, the 27th day of Fire Male Monkey Year 2016 at Lingkana Palace, Thimphu the Prince was born. Also, it was on the same day the second Buddha, Guru Rinpoche was born which makes the day more auspicious. He blessed the entire land of Bhutan three times of his visit and named as Baeyul, the Sacred Hidden Land. It was in this same land, in the 17th century Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel unified Bhutan. The significance of naming of Gyalsey also encompasses names of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Desi Jigme Namgyel, His Majesty and all the Kings. The birth was also marked by miracles and auspicious signs.
2. 2016: 400 Years of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel's arrival to Bhutan (1616-2016).
 |
| Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel Source: zhungdratsang.org |
Coinciding with the birth of Prince, the year also marked the 400 years of Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyel's arrival to Bhutan in 1616. His arrival brought significant changes in the country as One Nation who is known as the founding father of Bhutan. He established the dual system of government, spiritual and secular, and the Drukpa Kargyud sect of Buddhism as the state religion since then.
He is credited for the unification and consolidation of the fragmented regions from the internal and external feuds and who ultimately brought the nation under his rule and established many dzongs and monsateries signifying his victrious over the enemies.
One of the significant contributions of Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyel to Bhutan's political history is 'Kathrim', a formal code of laws which contains the specific reference to the ten pious acts, Lhachoe Gyewa Chu and the sixteen virtuous acts of social piety, referred to as Michoe Tsangma Chudrug.
It was on the day of Zhabdrung Kuchoe (death anniversary of Zhabdrung, 10th day of the 3rd Bhutanese month), His Royal Highness The Gyalsey received his name from the most sacred Machhen Lhakhang at Punakha dzong. It is on the basis of this Code, the National Assembly of Bhutan enacted the first comprehensive codified laws, Thrimzhung Chhenmo in 1959. Also today, under the leadership of our King, the laws have been adopted as the Constitution of Bhutan.
3. 2016- The birth year of Guru Rinpoche
 |
| Guru Rinpoche, the Precious Teacher |
It was after the arrival of Guru the advent of Buddhism first started in Bhutan in the 8th century. He is the epitome of Bhutanese religious ideal and can rightly be considered as the spiritual father or patron saint of Bhutan.
No comments:
Post a Comment