Guru Rinpoche
1.1 Guru Rinpoche
“12 years after I
passed away, a person more extraordinary than myself will be born in the Lake
of Danakosha”
Guru Rinpoche is revered only next to Lord Buddha in the Nyingma
School of Buddhism. In Bhutan, name of Guru Rinpoche comes even before the names
of Buddha .It is imperative as son of this nation and dominantly Buddhist
country to understand why Guru Rinpoche garnered such prominence and stature in
the eyes of Bhutanese. In this chapter, the author will attempt to unravel this
mystery and justify its stature.
Birth
Many believed Guru Rinpoche was born miraculously from the lotus
in Danakosha Lake(presently in Kashmir) while some scholar believed that he was
a monk from Kasmire whose parental names could be traced as he was not that
well-known in India during that time. As he stepped his foot into Tibet, he
became well-known as a tantric master.
Though Buddhism was founded in India, it went east to Thaliand,
Japan and Taiwan. Buddhism was more or less imported from Tibet who in turn
imported from China. However, some historian believed that 33rd King
of Tibet Songtsen Gempo sent seventeen Tibetan students to study Sanskrit and
Buddhism in India in early 17th centurey. The prominent among those was
Thomi Samboto who invented Chokoed letters and grammars. At the time, China was
already Buddhist kingdom. It can be deduced from the fact that Songsten Gampo
bullied and married Princess of China famously known as Jaza in Bhutanese
parlance. When Jaza came to Tibet, she was said to have brought few religious
book and statues.
In 755 A.D, Thrisong Deutsen assumed Throne as 28th
Tibetan King. He invited many buddist monks from India and China. Among them
was Shantarakshita who attempted to build Samye Monastery. The evil spirits,
deities and some Ministers who believed in Bonism were against the idea.
Shantarakshita advised the king to invite Tantric Master who was meditating at time
in Nepal. From Tibet, Guru Rinpoche came to Bhutan for the first time.
The coming of Guru Rinpoche in Bhutan must be studied in the
context of his contribution to socio-political institutions of the country.
i)
Contribution to
Religion
Bhutan was a country with Bon faith which many Tibetans referred
as Southern Land of Darkness because Buddhism which also annihilated Bonism in
Tibet was considered as torch to enlightenment. However, Buddhism made foray
into Bhutan much before the visitation of Guru Rinpoche. For instance, in 5th
century A.D Indian monk named Buddharaksita went to Tibet through Kurichu
valley accompanied by Buddhist monk called Losem Tso. However, it was Theravada
Buddhism not Vajrayana Buddhism that we have today.
However, it was only after the visit of Guru that Buddhism
flourished in the country. Guru Rinpoche first visited Bhutan in 746 A.D at the
invitation of ruler of Bumthang Sendha Gyelp who had fled India from another
prince named Naoche. Nachoe pursued Sendha Gyelp to Bumthang and in the ensuing
battle, Gyelp’s son Taglam Mebar was killed. He blamed the local deities for
death and desecrated many holy places including that of powerful deity Sheging
Karpo. Enraged, Shelging Karpo took life force of the king. Thus Guru was
invited to restore the health of king.
After the restoration of health and subduing of deities, Sendha
Gyelp was converted into Buddhism marking the first teachings of Buddhism in
the country. In 747, returned to Bhutan after building the Samye Monastery and
met king of Bumthang again. During this visit he travelled to many parts of
Bhutan including Paro, Kurtoe, Wangdue Phodrang, Trashi Yangtse, Mongar etc
Many years later, he again
came to Bumthang disguised as Hara Nagpo to subdue exiled Khikha Rathoe, the
child borne by one of Thrisang Thuetsen’s queens. With these three visits, he sow the strong
seeds of Buddhism and blessed entire country.
Contribution to
Education
The teaching of Buddha come the order of Sangha. The Sangha must
be taught to read and write. During the second visit, Guru Rinpoche gave the
Dzogchen teachings and laid the foundation of Nyingma School in Bhutan. He was
accompanied by Great Translator called Denmang Tshamang who modified the
Tibetan letters and created small letter called Jogyig which we write as of
now. Thus, the first education establishment though monastic one can be
attributed to him. Such type of education was only form of education till 1913.
Contribution to
Political Foundation
He subdued the evil spirits. He converted the kings and people
into Buddhist. From this one can deduce that guru Rinpoche reformed the
Bhutanese society from Bon Community to Buddhist Community. He subtly merged
some of Bon practices into tantric practices. He brought community under one
umbrella of protection that is Buddhism. If a king could be converted into
Buddhist, entire subjects will follow, thus he was able to established
community governed by Buddhist principles.
Today Buddhism first spread by Guru Rinpoche in Bumthang became
major religion in Bhutan where more than 70 percent of the total population is
following. Following his footsteps, many saints visited Bhutan later and in
1616, Zhabdrung came to Bhutan and established the dual system of governance.
One can only imagine the far reaching impact of Buddhism once propagated by
Guru in lives of Bhutanese.
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