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Bhutan Buddhist Heritage

Generally, Bhutanese are religious a lot. For centuries, the basic Buddhist principle of compassion and interdependence has guided Bhutanese livelihood. The great Tantric Buddhist Master Guru Padmasambhava brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8th Century AD. There are hundreds of legends about this Great Master who subdued demons and evil spirits and helped the spread of Buddhism. Many locations in Bhutan, chiefly the Taktsang (Tiger’s nest), are spiritually and socially famous as the places where the Guru visited and meditated. Buddhism in Bhutan today is the state religion, recognized as such by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. The Je Khenpo, the chief abbot, is the head of the monastic body in Bhutan. Following the visit of Guru in the 8th century came many other religious masters who contributed significantly to the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. The most famous among them are the Saint Drukpa Kuenley and Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Drukpa Kuenley, who is famously known as the Divine Madman, taught Buddhism in a frank, colloquial, and often humorous way. The phallic symbol, hung on the doors and painted on the walls of houses, is supposed to have its root in his teachings. Chhimi Lhakhang in Punakha, the famous temple built by the Saint, is visited by people seeking for spiritual blessing for a child. Many couples who couldn’t have a child have reported to have been successful in having one after they visited Chimi Lhakhang. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, came to Bhutan in 1616 from Tibet. He unified the country under one administrative system called the Choesid system – the dual governance system consisting the secular and spiritual folds of statecraft. Most of the famous fortresses, called dzongs, were built by the Zhabdrung. Simtokha Dzong in Thimphu, Punakha Dzong in Punakha, Drukgyal and Rinpung Dzong in Paro, Trongsa Dzong, among others, were built by the Zhabdrug. The dzongs are seats of cultural and spiritual blossoming.

Bhutan Information in Summary

Area : 38,394 sq.km
Population : 817054
Capital : Thimphu
Local time : GMT+6
Religion : Mahayana Buddhism
National tree : Cypress(Cupresses Corneyana)
National flower : Blue poppy (Meconopsis gakyidinan)
National animal : Takin(Budorcas taxicolor)
National bird : Raven(Corvus Corax tibetanus)
National Sport : Archery
National day : 17th December
National Language : Dzongkha
Currency : Ngultrum (Nu. Or BTN) is at par with Indian Rupees (INR)
Credit Cards : Most hotels and shops catering to tourists accept Traveler's cheques, American Express and VISA credit cards
Electricity : 220-240 volts. 50 cycles AC, the current is variable.