A new standardised design for Zangdopelris will soon be developed. A working committee will be formed for this purpose, comprising representatives from religious bodies and structural experts from the Department of Culture. The decision was made during the 8th annual meeting of the Religious Organisation Chairpersons in Paro. Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay attended the closing of the two-day event on Sunday.
Zangdopelri, the sacred abode of Guru Rinpoche, are a common sight across the country. These structures are often built based on religious texts or the guidance of learned lamas, resulting in a wide variety of designs and structural differences.
However, this may soon change with the Chhoedey Lhentshog, the Commission for Religious Organisations, taking steps to introduce a standardised design.
“The meeting decided to form a working committee and work on it. We plan that the soft component, or the interior development, be done by the religious body as per the religious texts, and the exterior structure will be taken care of by engineers and architects of the Department of Culture. This will enhance a uniform or standard design of Zangdopelri and address any related issues,” said Singye Samdrup, Specialist, Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development.
“Zangdopelri is a sacred abode of Guru Rinpoche, its details are recorded in many religious scriptures. It may vary slightly in different texts, but the concept is the same. So, if we have a standard design for constructing new Zangdopleris in the country, it will be convenient for approving and monitoring authority as well as for the owners who aspire to construct a Zangdopelri,” said Ngodup Dorji, Chairperson, Longchenpa Centre.
“In Bhutan, most of the Zangdopelri Lhakhangs are three-storey. The top floor is dedicated to Choeku Yoedpamed, Middle for Longku Chenrezi and the ground floor to Tulku—Guru Rinpoche. It is usually based on this concept. However, in some of them, some of the basic details, as per the Zangdopelri manuscript or the Kilkhor are missing. It is high time we have a standardised Zangdopelri model to show and teach our upcoming generations, as well as the tourists, to give an authentic glimpse of Zangdopelri,” said Jigme Wangchuk, Chairman, Ugyen Pejung Sidhi Dungdrup Tsogchung, Lhuntse.
A standard design for Zangdopelri is expected to preserve religious accuracy, ensure structural consistency and make construction and approval easier.
Today, there are 111 religious organisations under the Chhoedey Lhentshog, chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Sonam Pem
