With over 95 per cent of the works complete, the Zhabdrung’s Thousand Statues Project based in Thimphu handed over more than 900 statues of Zhabdrung to the Wangdue Phodrang Lam Neten, along with a six-foot-tall statue of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dorji Lopen and the Laytshog Lopen of the Central Monastic Body offered Ku-Suung-Thug-Ghi-Mendrel, an integral part of religious offerings in Buddhism. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Chairperson of National Council, Member of Parliaments, and government officials also attended the ceremony.
Besides the statues of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the project handed over other religious items.
Although the project was supposed to be complete on Zhabdrung Kuchhoe last year, the closure of international borders amid the pandemic affected the transportation of the statues from Nepal.
According to an official from the project, Tshewan Rinzin, one of the important tasks that remain, is the construction of the citadel of Zhabdrung’s main statue.
“We are expecting to complete the project by the end of next year,” he said.
With the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong reconstruction still ongoing, the Rabdey’s Lam Neten, Pema, said the statues would have to be kept at Taba for about six months more.
“I am grateful for bestowing the dzong with the most sacred relics for the wellbeing of the country and the world. The relics are so sacred that it will evoke immense devotions among the devotees,” the Lam Neten said.
Started in 2005, the project incurred Nu 2.5bn so far. The project has been organized with contributions and donations from the devotees in the country.
According to the Laytshog Lopen, Sangay Dorji, the relics will bring peace and harmony to the country.
“The statues are built from the most sacred materials. The relics will not only shower peace and harmony but also brings about economic wellbeing in the country. Likewise, the devotees who contributed to the cause will also gain the merits,” the Lopen said.
The project was started as per the order of late Je Khenpo Gyeshey Gedun Rinchen, Late Je Thrizur Tenzin Doendrup, and the current Je Khenpo for the wellbeing of the world and to ward off natural calamities in the country.
Meanwhile, the project also distributed 1,800 statues of Zhabdrung Khamsum Zilnon, measuring 15-inches to Rabdeys and temples across the country.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Chayku
