| Name: | Kurjey lhakhang |
|---|---|
| Identity: | Lhakhang |
| Level: | Registered Heritage Building |
| Category: | Heritage Building |
| Founder: | Guru Rinpoche |
| Constructed(Year|Century): | 0 | 8 |
| No. of Floor | 3floor |
| Main Wall | Stone wall |
| Location: | Chhoekhor, Bumthang |
| Current Use: | Original |
| Ownership: | Government |
| Coodinates: | 27.58743⁰N,90.73022⁰E |
Kurje lhakhang is one of the most sacred sites in Bhutan which is blessed by Guru Rinpoche. Guru left the imprint (je) of his body (ku) on a rock at the cave where he once meditated. According to oral history, in the 8th century, Bumthang was under the rule of an Indian king Sintu Raja whose palace was the “iron castle” known as Chakhar. The king was at war with King Nawchoe. The son of the king was killed in the war and the king became distraught. He then stopped to worship the local deity known as Shelging Karpo. The local deity was angry and withdrew the vital principle of the king and as a result, he fell seriously ill. They conducted rituals but were of no help to restoring the health of the king. As a last resort, his ministers decided to invite Guru Rinpoche whose supernatural powers were well known all over the Himalayas. Guru Rinpoche arrived in Bumthang and he meditated at a large rock cave, leaving the imprint of his body on the rock near the cave where the deity Shelging Karpo lived. Then he asked his consort (daughter of King Sindhu Raja) to go and fetch some water in a golden vessel. While she was away, he changed into his eight manifestations and began to dance in the meadow so amazing was this spectacle that all the local deities came to watch except Shelging Karpo. When his consort was back, Guru Rinpoche transformed her into five princesses each holding a golden vessel. The vessels reflected the sun’s rays directly at Shelging Karpo’s rock. Curious about this unusual flashing, Shelging Karpo decided to take the form of a white lion and come out to see what was going on. Guru, turning himself into a holy griffon, (garuda/jachung subdued Shelging Karpo and forced him to give back the king’s vital principle. He was made to promise not to cause any trouble for Buddhism and to become a protective deity. Guru Rinpoche planted his walking stick (Chakhar) on the ground where it grew into a cypress tree which is still seen behind the Guru lhakhang. Sindhu Raja recovered and converted himself to Buddhism. Guru Rinpoche compelled the two kings to meet and make peace at a place in the Black Mountains called Nabji, where a stone pillar commemorates this meeting which has a thumbprint of both the kings and Guru. This episode constitutes the first conversion and flourishing of Buddhism in Bumthang. The history of why Guru came to Bumthang highlights the establishment of Kurje lhakhang. Guru lhakhang Guru lhakhang is the oldest which was built on the rock where Guru Rinpoche meditated and left the body imprints. It was founded by Guru Rimpoche. According to Bhutan Cultural Atlas, it is said to be built by Sindhu Raja after he converted himself to Buddhism (ILCS, 2016). The lhakhang was rebuilt by Minjur Tenpa in 1652 in the 17th century while he was Trongsa Penlop before he became the 3rd Desi of Bhutan. It was later, renovated by Trongsa Penlop Ugyen Phuntsho in the 19th century. In 2008, the old existing structure was extended and Sheligin Karpo’s neykhang was added. Sampa lhundrup lhakhang Ka Gon Phur Sum lhakhang
It was built in 1900 by the first king Ugyen Wangchuck when he was Trongsa penlop. The main relic is the statue of Guru Rinpoche which is 32 feet tall.
It was sanctified in June 1990 by the great master Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. The construction of the lhakhang was undertaken by the Royal Grandmother Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuck as a dedication to all the past kings of Bhutan with deepest prayers for the long life, the eternal happiness and well-being of the kingdom of Bhutan in particular, and all sentient beings in general.
