The spiritual preparations for one of Bhutan’s most significant religious projects are gaining momentum. His Holiness the Je Khenpo has offered 120 sacred Ringsel to be enshrined inside the 108 Jangchub Chortens that will be constructed under Project 108 in the Gelephu Mindfulness City. The Ringsel have been received and are currently kept at Sarpang Dzong, where the Zhung Dratshang is preparing the Zung, the sacred inner relics of the chortens.
Laytshog Lopen of the Central Monastic Body, Sangay Dorji said, “Just as the heart and mind are the most important parts of the human body, the Yeshey Sempa and the Ringsel are the most important elements of a stupa. For the 108 Jangchub Chortens, we are deeply fortunate to have received these sacred Ringsel from His Holiness the Je Khenpo. During the commemoration of the Buddha’s First Sermon, His Holiness personally placed each Ringsel inside these small chortens with his own hands and offered profound prayers and blessings for the relics.”
However, the Ringsel are only one part of the sacred preparation.
Inside Sarpang Dzong, monks are carefully preparing the many other sacred elements that make up the zung.
One of the most intricate tasks is the hand-rolling of thousands of sacred mantras, a meticulous process that takes hours of careful work each day.
From eight every morning until evening, the monks continue their work with quiet dedication. According to the Zhung Dratshang, nearly half of the zung preparation has now been completed.
Once the zung is complete, the Zhung Dratshang will conduct a month-long Zung Drub, a major religious ceremony to consecrate the sacred relics before they are installed inside the chortens.
The Laytshog Lopen said, “As soon as the preparation of the zung is complete, we will conduct a month-long Zung Drub. It will be one of the most important religious ceremonies of this project. Around 45 Drubdey Lopens representing all 20 dzongkhags, together with five Rethri Tshampas, will gather to perform the prayers and rituals that will complete the spiritual preparation of the zung.”
Envisioned by His Majesty The King, the 108 Jangchub Chorten Project will become one of the spiritual landmarks of the Gelephu Mindfulness City.
While the chortens themselves are yet to be built, their spiritual foundation is already taking shape. At Sarpang Dzong, 20 Zung Lopens and 60 supporting monks continue their quiet work, preparing the sacred relics that will one day rest at the heart of all 108 Jangchub Chortens.
Passang Dorji/Karma Wangdi, Gelephu
Edited by Sangay Chezom
