Page Turner: Bhutan’s Spiritual Heart
A colourful and enlightening look at one of the Himalayan country’s most important and sacred Buddhist temples
Kyichu Lhakhang is considered the spiritual heart of the Kingdom of Bhutan and its people. It is one of the most visited temples in Bhutan. It’s an essential pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Buddhists, considered to be one and the same in blessings and sacredness as the most holy temple, Jokhang of Lhasa.
An ancient site from the 7th century, Kyichu Lhakhang is a rare gem for historians and art connoisseurs, a place of cultural and artistic importance for visitors from around the world.
Kyichu Lhakhang: The Sacred Jewel Of Bhutan illuminates and documents this spiritual importance. The book was compiled to enable both Buddhist pilgrims and ordinary visitors to appreciate fully the significance of Kyichu Lhakhang as a sanctuary with an enduring role in sustaining spiritual life in the face of modern challenges.
In Bhutan, photography is prohibited in all temples and dzongs to prevent misuse of images for non-spiritual purposes. With the permission of HM the Royal Grandmother, as well as the Royal Government of Bhutan, the book’s writing team was granted the honour to photograph and document Kyichu Lhakhang in contributing towards cultural and spiritual preservation.
The book is dedicated to HM the Royal Grandmother of Bhutan, Ashi Kesang Choeden Wangchuk, on the occasion of her 85th birthday. It was produced by a joint Thai-Bhutanese team, with photographs by Chotiwat Punnopatham, Chongmas Rajabhandarak, who provided artistic direction for the book, and Supawan Pui Lamsam, who also helped to edit the book.
The book features a preface by His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche, who explains that “the sacred temple of Kyichu is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in the Kingdom of Bhutan... and houses an outstanding image of the Jowo Buddha surrounded by the Eight Bodhisattvas as well as other exquisite statues of Avalokiteshvara, Amitabha and many others”. He also refers to the New Guru Lhakhang, a newer temple dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava built under the supervision of Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, under the royal patronage of HM the Royal Grandmother.
The text is in three parts: Part 1 - The Conception, Sublime Blessings, The Revelation of Profound Treasures, Bodhisattava Luminaries and Emanations; Part II - The Sanctum of Jowo Lhakhang, The Sanctum of Old Guru Lhakhang; Part III - The Precious Gem, The Formation and the Creation of New Guru Lhakhang, The Sanctum of New Guru Lhakhang, The Surroundings, Kagye Yongdu Thukdrub Palchen Dupa Drubchen.
The Notes, Appendix and Glossary at the end of the book help to clarify various names and terms for the newcomer to Tibetan Buddhism, but even without basic knowledge of the topic, readers can enjoy the book for the beauty of the images. Considering that photography in temples and dzongs is not permitted, this book offers a rare glimpse into the beauty and mysticism of one of Bhutan’s oldest temples.