1. A fairy tale
About 367 years ago, a 58 year old saint and an accomplished master, the warrior king who forged factions of Himalayan regional rulers entered into 12 years spiritual retreat at Pungthang Dewa Chhenpoii Phodrang fortress.
This was 35 years after his venture South from Druk Ralung in Tibet following a prophecy in the wake of confrontation for recognition of him as an incarnate throne holder of Ralung against Tsang Desi.
2. A gift of home
Our history teacher whispered that the saint entered into retreat after consolidating Drukyul as a nation and ensuring security from Tibetan invasions and internal strife. Soon after his retreat, the saint is said to have entered parinirvana but it was kept secret from the public. We were told this secrecy was to feign the presence of the saint to keep foreign invasion at bay and also to strengthen and foundation of the government.
3. Forging the facets
Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal, at whose feet one prostrate, is a Bhutanese conscience by history, culture and behaviour. The kingdom of Drukpas arose from the vision and victory of his leadership. He built several Dzongs, a castle-like monastery, across the Drukyul as a centre of political and religious administration which knitted the nation to the central seat at Punakha Dzong.
4. Birth of being Bhutanese
Since his rule, the unique culture was and a nation was born. The dress and common language were a unique identity, customs and traditions were designed from prayer flags to rituals to celebrations to songs and dances. The way we eat to way we walk, the way we greet to way we sleep, the way we behave to way we are; are conceived as salient facets of our identity.
This man was a spiritual giant prophesied by Guru Padmasambhava towards the destiny of a home we today live with pride and promise of eternal joy.
5. Rebirth of the vision
Some 300 years later, the Destiny takes rebirth to forever take the Himalayan country into the history of the world from an undiscovered land to a country we now call Bhutan. We are now a fabled shangrila, living in the wisdom of our beloved bodhisattva kings, celebrating the vision of happiness like the eternal warmth of the sun.
(This is written by me to express my devotion and respect on this morning to the heart-son of Guru Rinpoche, our Guru, and a visionary founder)
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