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Festivals
in Bhutan
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| Thri
ceremony in Gelephu - Dorji
Puen ceremony Festival in 2003 |
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| Dorji puens receive scarfs from His Holiness
On
the end of the seventh day of the sacred Thri ceremony in Gelephu His Holiness
the Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Choedra, united devotees from all walks of
life into one family as the seven Dorji Puen (spiritual brothers and sisters)
today. A seven member Dorji Puen shared their ceremonial tea after receiving
khaddar from His Holiness. The 2,500 devotees were grouped into 357 spiritual
families with two monks and five civilians in each "family". |
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Most
of the devotees expressed their happiness to have been blessed and the
'new bonds' created with their fellow citizens.
"The
system, an age old tradition in Bhutan, helps strengthen and harmonise
the relationship between the clergy and the people," one devotee said.
As a part of the Thri ceremony, the people and business community in Gelephu
offer Kusung Thigten Mendrel to His Holiness every day.
| His
Holiness unites spiritual families - The system of creating 'one family' |
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Seven
members of Dorji Puen shared their ceremonial teal after receiving khaddar
from His Holiness
Fifty-year
old Sonam Zangmo from Thangrong in Mongar had no brother or sister before
she came to Gelephu to receive admonition from His Holiness the Je Khenpo.
But after the end of the seventh day of the sacred Thri ceremony she was
overjoyed to be united with two monks and another four women as her brothers
and sisters. |
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"I
feel like I am beginning a new life," a devotee said after she received
a Khadar from His Holiness. "I was able to group with different people
from different dzongkhags into Dorji Puen (spiritual brothers and sisters)
because of our close relation in our past life.""The system of creating
'one family' with people from all walks of life is a very unique one, as
the Dorji Puen is selected by His Holiness at random," former drangpon
Tamzhing reported.
His
Holiness united 2,500 devotees into 357 spiritual families with two monks
and five civilians in each "family".
| Elucidating
the significance of Dorji Puen, His Holiness said that the Dorji Puen is
not just seven individuals but symbolize seven Buddhas. It is believed
that the founder of the Drukpa School, Dro Goen Tsangpa Jarey was meditating
at the foot of a tree when seven Buddhas (Sangay rabduen) revealed to him
the sacred teachings known as Tendril-Gi-Choe (auspicious teachings of
cause and effect). It was only after the revelation of sacred teachings
by the seven Buddhas, according to His Holiness, that the system of Dorji
puen developed. Seven is the sacred number because a Dorji Puen is given
seven precepts, he is expected to circumambulate the Thri Mandala (Kilkhor)
seven times, and to recite the Thri Saranam (Kyal Aro) seven times. "It
is, therefore, very important to keep close relations with your new found
Dorji Puen," His Holiness said. |
Devotees
expressed their happiness for the blessings and the 'new found bonds' with
their fellow citizens. "This age old Bhutanese tradition helps strengthen
and harmonize the relationship between the clergy and the laymen," one
devotee said.
| 13,000
devotees received wang |
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His Holiness the Je Khenpo conducting wang
| His
Holiness the Je Khenpo conducted the Lama Guru Dragpoi Wang and the Tachha
Chhungsum Wang (blessings) to over 13,000 devotees as a part of the Wanglung
(oral transmission of blessings) ceremony in Gelephu. |
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Led
by His Holiness with more than 500 monks of Gelephu, Zhemgang, Tsirang,
Nimalung, and Tharpaling dratshangs are performing Goenpoi kurims (dedicated
to Bhutan's main protecting deity, Mahakala) and reciting Baza Guru (dedicated
to Guru Rinpoche) for the well being of the country and people.
His
Holiness will perform the Lhamoi Barcheod (dedicated to goddess Mahakali)
next day. His Holiness will also conduct the Zhabdrung Dagnangmai Tshewand
(blessing for long life) and the Gonpoi Tongtshog Tangra (offering to the
country's guardian deities).
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