ADC ends with public display of sacred relics
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| One of the 21 images of Chenre-zig (Avalokiteshvara) which appeared on the vertebrate of Tsangpa Gyarey, the first Gyelwang Drukpa on display at the Narophodrang in Ladakh on August 27. |
31 August, 2011 – On the evening of August 27, one of the 21 images of Chenray-zig (Avalokiteshvara) the Ranjung-Kharsapani was put for public viewing at the Narophodrang monastery in Ladakh, India.
The sacred relic, which had remained hidden from public for centuries is believed to have appeared from the back bone of Tsangpa Gyarey, the first Gyelwang Drukpa along with a pair of Re-mo (cymbal), which is believed to be the instrument used by Guru Rinpoche while inaugurating the Samye monastery in Tibet.
People from all over Ladakh who had lined up were given two days between 6:00am until 12:00am to get a glimpse of the relic and blessings since the turnout was extraordinarily huge.
Drogoen Tsangpa Gyarey is the founder of Drukpa order of buddhist tradition. He is to have witnessed nine dragons, who were believed to be the manifestation of nine sidhas that arose from the ground and roared in the sky when he reached Nam, central Tibet looking for a place to establish a monastic community in 1206.
The tiny self appeared bone image of Avalokiteshvara in standing position with two arms known as Ranjung-Kharsapani is preserved in a glass and can be viewed by using a magnifying glass. It was among the private sacred relics of His Holiness the 12th Drukpa Rinpoche preserved at Narophidrang.
According to a Drukpa nun, ani Nawang Jinpa who has researched on the Drukpa linage, sacred relics and monastery in Garsha of Lhoul-spiti district of Himachalpradesh India, another such relic is in possession of Ladakh king, while two are in Bhutan.
According to her, there is another one preserved in Dechen Chokhorling monastery in Kullu and yet another of chagtong-chentong (Avalokiteshvara with thousand arms and eyes) is preserved in Sey Rinpoche’s Chimi Drupay Gatsel Monastery at Manali in H.P India.
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| Devotees line up outside the Narophodrang monastery to get a glimps of the sacred relics |
“Most of these images are enshrined in a stupa at Druk Ralung in Tibet and since then the Gyalwang Drukpa rinpoches are known as the manifestation of Avalokiteshvara,” the nun said.
The skull of Drogoen Tsangpa Gyarey that bears the self appeared images of Manjushiri, Avalokiteshvara and Vajrapani are also enshrined in Druk Ralung a Tibet according to her.
Meanwhile the third ADC ended on August 28 with the gathering of all religious heads of Ladakh and lighting of 100,000 butter lamps and candles in memory of the late Ladakh king who died last year and the victims of last year’s flash flood.
The venue for the next ADC is yet to be confirmed although His Holiness Gyalwang Drukpa said that it could be Ladkadh. “Who knows we might have a privilege of holding future ADCs in Bhutan as well,” His Holiness said. “ And give the Ladakhis a chance to volunteer and help the Bhutanese in return.”