Project 108, the sacred corridor along the Mao River in Gelephu Mindfulness City, is beginning to take shape. The foundations for the stupas have just been blessed with the ground-breaking ceremony conducted earlier this week. Now, another sacred Buddhist tradition is ongoing, the preparation of Zung or the consecrated inner relics considered the spiritual heart of every stupa.
This time, the preparatory works have shifted from the riverbank to within the walls of Sarpang Dzong. Twenty Zung Lopens from across the country are undertaking the meticulous process of preparing the relics to be enshrined within the 108 Jangchub Chortens.
The first task is among the most painstaking. It involves rolling sacred scriptures and mantras by hand, a process that requires precision, patience and devotion. These tightly rolled scriptures form one of the essential components of the Zung.
To most people, a stupa is often its outward form – the dome, the spire, and the whitewashed walls. But in Buddhist teachings, a greater significance is placed on what lies within.
Laytshog Lopen Sangay Dorji said, “In Buddhism, a stupa’s inner relics are considered more important than its outer structure. According to the Buddha’s teachings, the Zung contains many elements and components, including relics representing the body, speech, and mind of great enlightened masters. Therefore, the Zung Lopens are carrying out this sacred task following age-old traditions.”
Among the elements is the Sokshing, a specially prepared wooden pole placed at the centre of the stupa. Regarded as its spiritual spine, it is the axis around which the sacred relics are arranged, symbolising stability.
The Central Monastic Body is also inviting the public to offer items that can be included in the zung.
The Laytshog Lopen said, “The zung will consist of various items, including traditional weapons and farming tools such as axes, hoes and ploughs. People can also contribute Nga Dung, Jaling and other relics. We are currently carrying out the preparations here and welcome contributions from everyone.”
Those wishing to contribute can do so through their district Lam Neten, Drungchen of Dratshangs and Rabdeys, or through the Zhung Dratshang office in Thimphu. The Laytshog Lopen said more details on the contribution process will be announced soon.
The preparation of zung symbolises the spiritual foundation of Project 108, steadily taking form – rolled and gathered by hand, inside Sarpang Dzong. Beyond its walls, the project is gathering momentum of another kind. In less than two months since fundraising opened, support has come in to raise around 88 stupas, close to 850 million ngultrum from within Bhutan, and a further 8.5 million US dollars from abroad.
Slowly, on counts of hand and heart, at home and far from it, a single line of prayer is taking shape along the Mao River.
Passang Dorji/Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
