The first-ever biography of Guru Rinpoche written by the Bhutanese authors under the command of His Majesty The King was launched today. The book highlights Guru Rinpoche’s life and legacy and his contribution towards shaping the social, cultural and spiritual identity of the Bhutanese people. The 700-page book is titled ‘The Life and Deeds of Padmasambhava: A Bhutanese chronicle.
According to the authors of the book, out of about two dozen biographies on Guru Rinpoche that exist today, not a single biography mentions his life and works in Bhutan in detail.
To fill this gap, the four authors – late Dasho Sangay Dorji, former Secretary of Dzongkha Development Commission and Dzongkha Specialist, Gonpo Tshering, former Director of National Library and Archives of Bhutan, Kunzang Thinley, Chief Editor and writer/researcher, KMT Publications and Karma Phuntsho (PhD), Director of Shejuen Oral Literature Project, Loden Foundation came together to compile accounts of Guru Rinpoche’s life and works in Bhutan.
Karma Phuntsho (PhD), the co-author of the book said, “When we look at Bhutan’s religious and cultural heritage, Guru Rinpoche features as a very important central aspect of our culture and spirituality. And most of us know what Guru Rinpoche looks like by looking at his statue or Thangka or a Thongdrel.”
“But if we were to ask who really was Guru Rinpoche and what did he do in the Himalayas or where did he come from, not many people know the details. So, this book basically gives a story of who he is or who we believe he is and what he has left behind the legacy for all of us,” he added.
The authors began their research project in 2016 under the management of the National Library and Archives in the Department of Culture. The research project worth about Nu 9 M was funded by the Indian government.
Sonam Pem
