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Religion in Bhutan
Bhutan takes pride in being a Buddhist country but
its laws are in contravention to the Buddhist philosophy of
non-violence, tolerance and compassion. The religion has played a
dominant role in Bhutanese psyche and the political and
socio-economic history of the country. There is open discrimination
against the Hindus as well as Drukpa Nyingmapas. The
laws and rules are particularly targeted against the language,
culture, religion and identity of the communities other than the
ngalongs.
The Ngalongs community in the west follow Drukpa
Kargyupa sect while the Sharchhops in the east follow Nyingmapa
sects of Mahayana Buddhism and the vast majority of southerners (Lhotshampas) practice Hinduism. There
is significant number of Bhutanese of all
communities who follow Christianity as well, which is banned by the
Government.
No records of the presences of any Islamic followers in the country
exist.
The
state religion of Bhutan is the Drukpa Kagyupa, a branch of Mahayana
Buddhism, institutionalized by Shadrung Ngawang Namgyel in the early
seventeenth century. Since its introduction, Buddhism has shaped the
nation's history and played a vital part in the lives of the people.
Throughout Bhutan, from the most densely populated valleys to the
remote mountain tops, religious monuments and symbols bear witness
to a deep and respected faith. The aspiration towards enlightenment
and the belief in the innate goodness of human beings are widely
shared among Buddhists and the Hindus.
Hinduism
is another religion, practiced in southern Bhutan. The Hindu
religion as practiced by the southern Bhutanese has many common
saints and divinity with Vajrayana, the school of Buddhism prevalent
in Bhutan
Several
temples are associated with Padma Sambhava, among them - Taktsang or
"Tiger's Nest" located in Paro valley. Legend has it that he flew
to Bhutan on the back of a Tiger and here he defeated the demons
standing in the way of the spread of religion. Taktsang is perched
on the ledge of a sheer 3000 foot cliff above the Paro valley.
The
Kurje Lhakang in Bumthang is built on the site where Padma
Sambhava had meditated afterwards. Legend has it that his footprints and bodymarks appeared etched on a solid rock and a cyprus tree, which
still stands, grew from his wooden staff.
In fact there is no particular record of introducing any
religion in Bhutan though some history books written by different
writers have given different time and event of arriving different
religions in the tiny Himalayan Kingdom in South Asia. For instance,
Buddhism first arrived in early seventh century AD in Bhutan
after the construction of two Buddhist monasteries; one Jampel
Lhakhang in Bumthang and second Kyichhu Lhakhang in Paro
respectively by the 33rd King of Tibet, Songtshen Gampo,
who had married Princes Vrikuti Devi, daughter of King Amshu Verma
of Gorkha Kingdom, now Nepal.
It was in the early 8th century AD, a most
popular Indian Saint; Guru Padmasambhava arrived in Bhutan on the
invitation of King Sindhu Raja of Bumthang and introduced the
Nyingmapa tradition of Mahayana Buddhism in the country. Nyingmapa
or the oldest sect of Mahayana Buddhism is also known as the Vajraya
Buddhism, which is popularly practiced in Nepal even today. Guru Padmasambhava is regarded as the second Buddha by the followers of
Mahayana Buddhism and worship him with the highest reverence.
Drukpa Kargyudpa sect of Mahayana Buddhism was first
introduced in the country after the arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang
Namgyel in 1616 AD. Zhabdrung consolidated both the sects and called
Ka-nyi-zung drel, which literally means Kargyudpa and
Nyingmapa are the same like the two sides of a coin. Until very
recently, both these sects were followed with equal faith. However, after the introduction of “One
Nation, One People” policy of the royal regime, there is vast
discrimination to the Nyingmapa followers by the state.
As far as the Hinduism, is concerned, there is complete obscurity to say
when does it officially started to be practiced in the country though
the history has the records of 1624 AD when the Hindu followers,
Nepali speaking community were invited to settle in Bhutan under an
agreement reached between Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and the King of
Gorkha, now Nepal. For instance, there were Shivalayas and Pathsalas
in Lamidara (Chinrang), (Suntolay) Dagapela, Surey (Gelephug) and
Bara, under Sibsoo (Samchi) but most of them are not functioning now. It was in
late 80s, the government gave recognition to Hinduism and even
started celebrating Deshara and Deepawali festivals. However, that
was merely to eyewash the outside world, especially India.
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