If not for the two Singaporeans, Thadra Goenpa in Thimphu would never have found its three phurbas or ritual daggers. They were stolen from the goenpa back in 2023. But today the ritual daggers are back home, where they belong.
The two Singaporeans brought the three ritual daggers into the country yesterday.
The ritual daggers were kept at the temple in the police station in Thimphu. This morning, a team of monks, officials and police escorted the ritual daggers to the goenpa.
The two Singaporeans voluntarily returned the relics out of faith and respect for Bhutan’s cultural and religious heritage.
After more than a two-hour journey, the ritual daggers arrived at the goenpa. After a ritual, the ritual daggers were formally handed over to Thadra Goenpa.
Laytshog Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang graced the event.
A rainbow appeared in the sky, as if to welcome the phurbas, adding significance to the occasion.
“About two years ago, I bought the three phurbas from Nepal and I think two to three weeks ago, I received a call from the Royal Bhutan Police. I was very shocked to hear that the three phurbas were actually stolen from an ancient temple. So, as a student of Dorji Lopen, Gyelsey Truku and Jigme Choeying Norbu Rinpoche, I think it’s only right for me to return these sacred relics to Bhutan and the people of Bhutan. But having these two phurbas with me for two years is already my privilege,” said Melvin Wong, Business Owner, Singapore.
Thadra Goenpa’s Drubpon said the return of the sacred relics would contribute to peace and stability in the country.
“To maintain peace in the country, great lamas and yogis in ancient times have built several temples and monasteries in the country with sacred relics. However, some people have misused them. But with support from His Majesty the King, the police and the Zhung Dratshang, the relics have been returned here. It will only mean that with the return of such sacred relics, peace and stability of the country will only prosper more in the future,” said Tenzin Lhendup, Drubpon, Thadra Goenpa.
Lama Sangay Jamtsho founded Thadra Goenpa more than 350 years ago. The monastery is located on a hilltop above Tandin Nye.
It is believed that Guru Rinpoche had foretold that Lama Sangay would discover a mountain resembling a phurba, or ritual dagger, and establish a monastery there. The site later came to be known as the Palace of Phurpas.
64 ritual daggers were stolen from the goenpa in 2023. Authorities were able to bring back 45 of them. Most of them were found in Nepal. The authorities continue to work towards recovering the remaining sacred relics.
Sonam Yuden
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
