Memorial Chorten, Thimphu

Coordinates: 27°27′59″N 89°38′16″E / 27.46639°N 89.63778°E / 27.46639; 89.63778
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Memorial Chorten
National Memorial Chorten
National Memorial Chorten
Religion
AffiliationTibetan Buddhism
SectNyingma
DeityJigme Dorji Wangchuck
Location
LocationDoeboom Lam, Thimphu
CountryBhutan
Memorial Chorten, Thimphu is located in Bhutan
Memorial Chorten, Thimphu
Location within Bhutan
Geographic coordinates27°27′59″N 89°38′16″E / 27.46639°N 89.63778°E / 27.46639; 89.63778
Architecture
FounderThinley Norbu
Date established1974

The Memorial Stupa, Thimphu, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a

Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), is a prominent landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells.[1] In 2008, it underwent extensive renovation. It is popularly known as "the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan".[2] It was consecrated by Dudjom Jigdral Yeshe Dorje.[3]

This stupa is unlike others as it does not enshrine human remains. Only the Druk Gyalpo’s photo in a ceremonial dress adorns a hall in the ground floor.[2] When he was alive, Jigme Dorji wanted to build "a chorten to represent the mind of the Buddha".[4]

History

The Memorial Chorten of Thimphu was conceived by

Thinley Norbu Rinpoche (1931–2011),according to the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.[1] It was erected in 1974 in memory of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 3rd Druk Gyalpo, who had died in 1972. The main patron was the Druk Gyalpo's mother, Phuntsho Choden
.

Prayer wheels

Architecture

golden spire above the front porch.

The architecture of the chorten has been designed to present it as “one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu”.[2] The Memorial Chorten, in the heart of the city, is designed is a Tibetan style chorten, also called the Jangchup Chorten, patterned on the design of a classical stupa, with a pyramidal pillar crowned by a crescent moon and sun. The feature that is distinct here is the outward flaring of the rounded part to give the shape of a vase (a pyramidal shape), unlike a dome shape.[3][5] The chorten depicts larger than life size images of wrathful deities with their female consorts in large numbers, and many in explicit Yab-Yum sexual poses (one count puts the number of such images at 36).[6]

Exterior

The chorten is a large white structure with a golden spire crowning it and a smaller golden spire above the front porch. It is approached through a small garden and a gate decorated with three slate carvings. On the exterior of the gate are representations of the three protective

Gautama Buddha and Padmasambhava. Large prayer wheels are located to the left.[1] The chorten attracts many elderly Bhutanese on a daily basis who circumambulate the chorten, whirl the large red prayer wheels and pray at the shrine.[2] It has four entrances but only one entrance is open for devotees to visit the shrine.[4]

Interior

Sculpture inside the chorten

The chorten is decorated with richly carved annexes facing the four directions, and contain mandalas, statues and a shrine dedicated to the third king.

Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school to subdue eight varieties of evil spirits and the top floor is dedicated to the teachings of Lama Gongdü (Wylie: bla ma dgongs 'dus). Combined, these three floors form the esoteric teachings of the Nyingmapa sect.[1] All of the texts were once hidden by Padmasambhava and were rediscovered by tertöns in the 19th, 12th and 14th centuries respectively.[1] The top floor has paintings depicting various deities of the Nyingma school, and visions which appear in the bardo. Above the top floor there is a gallery, which can be walked around the circumference of the chorten and which has views of the city.[1]

Religious practice and festival

The Chorten, held in great religious fervour, is circumambulated only in a clockwise direction (reciting prayers and whirling the large red prayer wheels), as is the rule for any religious structures in Bhutan.[2] The Monlam Prayer Festival is held here when the Je Khenpo (the religious head of Bhutan) addresses and blesses those who congregate for the occasion.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Pommaret, Francoise (2006). Bhutan Himalayan Mountains Kingdom (5th ed.). Odyssey Books and Guides. pp. 171–2.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "National Memorial Chorten – Thimphu". Bhutan360.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
  3. ^ a b Rennie & Mason 2008, p. 186.
  4. ^ a b c d "The National Memorial Chorten". Archived from the original on 2012-12-15. Retrieved 2010-04-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ISBN 1-86450-145-6
    . Retrieved 2010-04-05.
  6. ^ Carpenter & Carpenter 2002, p. 142.

Bibliography

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