04/07/2025
Former Dorji Lopen Yonten Gyeltshen, Nalenda Monastery, 2022
“On the Wood Pig Year of the 16th Rabjung, particularly on the 1st day of the 7th month of the Lunar Calendar corresponding to August 30, 1935, I was born at Bulgang above Nobgang, a place blessed by Gyalwa Shacha Rinchen under Punakha dzongkhag to father Thinley and mother Sangay Chenzom. According to my astrological chart, my sign was Mewa Nyinak so I was seen as a son who was a bad omen for his father. Thus, the Nyerpa of Boe Taklung was made my god-father. As I had fate with religion, from the age of 5 or 6, I got the opportunity to study the basic Dzongkha alphabets and grammar. My mother taught me basic prayers and how to pronounce words.
My father had requested the then Dorji Lopen Samten Jamtsho to take care of me when I was 9 years old as my father was expected to pass away. To this, the Dorji Lopen replied with compassion stating he would look after me as his own son. When I was 8 years old, I enrolled at the Pung-Thim Dratshang as a Tozey and served under the Dorji Lopen. I ensured that I carried out my duties as a Tozey without failure. Unfortunately, my father passed away when I was 9 years old but Dorji Lopen was very kind to find ways to look after me and support my monastic studies. He enrolled me as a monk and subsequently, sent me to serve His Holiness the 60th Je Khenpo Jamgoen Ngawang Thinley. I got the Dharma name ‘Yonten Gyaltshen’ from His Holiness. At the time, Nyungney Lam Tsulthrim Rinchen requested permission from His Majesty the 2nd Druk Gyalpo at Bumthang to enroll 35 monks in the Dratshang. We had to pay a sum of 25 silver coins (Ngultrum Trozhachenma) as enrollment fees to be registered as a monk (Tshenzi Koepa). It was very difficult for me to produce the amount.
Then, upon command of His Majesty the 2nd Druk Gyalpo, I joined the Drapi Detshen of the Dratshang following a grand Khandroi Zhugdrel at the Drabi Kuenrey. At the time, my seat was at the end of the row and my name in the attendance was also listed last so I guess it signified that I would be the last Drap from among 35 of us. Back then, Late Dralop Geshe Gedun Namgyel from Paga was just about to retire. So, His Majesty the 2nd Druk Gyalpo installed Nalenda Geshe Namgyel/Thubten Norbu as the next Drabi Lopen. Hence, my primary teacher was Late Former Dralop Thubten Norbu and I learnt handwriting, phonetics, and alphabets from him. He also taught us Sumtag (grammar), pronunciation of Sanskrit words, Sheyting (Way of a Bodhisattva), Gyelsay Laklen, and Kuenkyen Kabum, among others. He would test us on our knowledge and so, we would need to take an examination after each lesson. During our free time, I also received a lot of precious reading transmissions and empowerments from him. Even when he retired from the post of Drabi Lopen, I went to Nalenda Monastery to receive Ngagdren (vocabulary), Nyen-ngak (poetry), and Sumtag (grammar) three times. I also received the complete transmission of the Drukpa lineage including the six Yogas of Naropa and Mahamudra from Late Lopen in addition to reading initiations of the Kanjur (84 thousand volumes of the Buddha), and Seypho Zogrim for 5 years. Then, as a member of the Drabi Detshen, after my monastic studies in Gar-Thik-Yang-sum and discipline, I served all duties a Drap must such as Tshechu Nyerpa, Choeshampa, etc.
One time, when His Majesty the 2nd Druk Gyalpo visited the Punakha Dzong on horseback, he made an assessment of the Monks’ knowledge on monastic studies and discipline. For those who came first, His Majesty awarded a prize money of Nu. 7 and for those who came in second place, Nu. 5. For those who failed the test, we got whipped 30 times with the leather whip in the courtyard of the Punakha Dzong. I was among the 17 who could not pass the examination.
Then, I served His Holiness the 61st Je Khenpo Samten Jamtsho as his personal attendant - cooking, serving, and making daily offerings - without failure. I quickly got into Je Rinpoche’s good books and when he was about to pass into Parinirvana, he held my hand and made a silent aspiration for me. To this day, I feel and acknowledge that my swift promotion to the post of Dorji Lopen from being a Zhudap is his blessings and prayers.
In 1955, upon command of the 62nd Je Khenpo Yonten Tshundrue, I returned to the Dzong to conduct Dhuechoe-Bumdeys as did the Zhung Budreps. In the meantime, I was also appointed as the officiating Umze.
When the first monastic institute (Shedra) was established with Geshe Gedun Rinchen as the principal, he was invited to the Punakha Dzong and so, I received teachings on Rigney and Sumtag (grammar), Zhabdrung Daknang, etc from His Holiness for one year.
In 1959, His Majesty the 3rd Druk Gyalpo commanded those who could write well to come and serve at His Majesty’s secretariat office at Dechencholing to write copies of the Thrimzhung Chenmo to be distributed to 9 Dzongkhags. I spent about 2 and half years hand writing the text and although the payment for scribes was Nu. 20, 5 of us who were delegated for the work from the Dratshang were given Nu. 25.
In 1961, His Holiness the 65th Je Khenpo Yeshe Singye reported to His Majesty the 3rd Druk Gyalpo that there was a pressing need to establish a monastic institute to study Zhung Rigney for monks. He requested that a Shedra be established with a learned Buddhist Master as its principal. Accordingly, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche was invited to Bhutan from India to serve as the principal and the first Shedra was started at Wangditse Monastery. Then, 20 monks from the Zhung Dratshang, 20 soldiers from the army camp, 20 clerks from His Majesty’s office in Dechencholing, and additional officers from the Dzongkhags totaling to 100 were called upon to form the first Shedra. His Majesty’s trusted clerk Gaydron Thinley and His Holiness Kyabje Yeshe Singye who was the then Dorji Lopen inaugurated the Shedra. I was among the 20 monks selected to study at the Shedra. Each time a transmission and empowerment was bestowed, I would be summoned by His Holiness Je Yeshe Singye who would lovingly call for me as “Come, Geshe Yonten Gyeltshen”. I feel very fortunate and grateful to have received such benevolence.
As the place was unsuitable, the Shedra was shifted to Simtokha Monastery from Wangditse Monastery. After 2 and half years, His Holiness Dilgo Khyentse left for India and appointed Lam Gyalwang Nima as the La-Tshab (officiating principal). He taught us many subjects and during free time, granted us initiations. I stayed at Simtokha for 2 and half years. In 1965, when His Holiness Je Yeshe Singye was installed as the 65th Je Khenpo, he issued an appointment order for me as the senior Zhudap (editor). When I went before His Holiness, he said that so far, a Zhudap was not bestowed with any decoration but he would grant me the Toetsi Jim which was a great honor and privilege. So, during the Punakha Tsechu, I received Dhar and was appointed as the senior Zhudap.
In 1966, His Holiness Je Yeshe Singye reported to His Majesty the 3rd Druk Gyalpo that we needed to re-write half of the golden Kanjur script which succumbed to the fire accident of the Tashichoedzong. The Golden Kanjur Script was very precious and antique as it was commissioned by the 6th Druk Desi of Bhutan Ngawang Tshering in the 17th Century. His Majesty commanded that it was a very good initiative and that he would provide for the gold and labor charges. His Holiness commanded that I supervise the rewriting of the Kanjur and also stated that this would be my biggest service to the Dratshang as Zhudap. Je Rinpoche expressed trust that I would complete this responsibility without any failure. Subsequently, the first task I did was to list the pages from which the scripture caught on fire and organized the main copy text. I also made a list of other texts that were saved from the fire such as Sutra, Prajnaparamita, Ta**ra, and so forth. It took us 1 and half years for us to complete writing 54 volumes of the Kanjur in gold. We used about 12,865.1756 grams of gold. Upon completion of this work, Je Rinpoche commanded me to go meditate and pray for 1 year. After that, His Majesty the 3rd King commanded that we also write the Tenjur (translation of treatises) in gold. So, we began work and with help from about 100 clerks, we completed writing 225 volumes of the Tenjur. For that, we used about 47,168.43 grams of gold. The regret I have is being unable to edit the texts due to inadequate funding. Nonetheless, I saw great potential in Late Former Drabi Lopen Kinley Gyeltshen/Ngawang Lekshed Jamtsho who was a student in the Drabi Detshen back then. I sent him to study at Tango Drubdhey and since he fulfilled many of my wishes and benefitted the Dratshang greatly, I feel that this is also one of my minor achievements in life.
In 1974, I resigned from the post of Zhudap and was sent to Dechenphodrang as the Lobdra Uzin (principal). I served there for 5 years and taught handwriting, grammar, poetry, Gyelsay Laklen, Sheyting, Vinaya, and so forth to about 100 monks. It brings me great joy to know that some of my students have become clerks at the Dzong, Lam Netens, Shedra Lopens, and individuals who benefit the Buddha Dharma.
In 1980, the Lodroe Tshogde (Royal Advisory Council) submitted a request to the Dratshang to send someone who could write well as a representative to the Council to engage in law drafting as the Law Reform Commission (1979-1980) work was in progress. As the Dhuemang felt that I would be the most capable, I was sent as the Dratshang’s representative and served in the Lodroe Tshogde for 10 years. In my 10 years tenure, I received the opportunity to draft laws for the country and learnt a lot about the country’s laws. Then, I received command from His Holiness the 68th Je Khenpo to be appointed as the Drabi Lopen. Prior to receiving Dhar from His Holiness, I spent time in meditation for 1 year. Despite resistance, in 1989, when Geshe Gedun Rinchen was installed as the 69th Je Khenpo, the order for my appointment as Drabi Lopen was prepared. His Holiness commanded that I decide on a good Z***r to come receive Dhar. As Drabi Lopen, I performed rituals (Kurim-Bumdheys), and looked after the monetary affairs of the Dratshang for 8 years.
In 1999, in celebration of the silver jubilee of His Majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck’s coronation, I was appointed as the Dorji Lopen and Late Lopen Kinley Gyeltshen was appointed as the Drabi Lopen. Although I am not capable, in order to not defy His Majesty’s command, I served as the Dorji Lopen for 3 years. During my tenure as Dorji Lopen, I performed Kurims for the country and people in addition to Dhuechoe-Bumdeys.
Now to briefly talk about my contributions at Nalenda monastery, I would like to mention that I completed the construction of the monastery (Nalenda Soenam Gatshel) which was started by Late Dralop Thubten Namgyel. I also offered many relics from my personal collection as refuge objects in the monastery. Since there was no one staying at the monastery, let alone a Koenyer (Lhakhang Caretaker), a request was put forward to His Majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo to institute a Shedra. Accordingly, a Shedra was started with 21 monks and Lopen Tshewang as the Shedra Uzin (principal). Thus, Nalenda Shedra was the first Shedra to be established in Punakha Dzongkhag. At the same time, Late Yab Ugyen Dorji also started the construction of Pangkar Namgyel Choeling Drubdhey. Late Yab and I instituted the Drubdhey and asked Lopen Karma Jurmey to serve as the Drubdhey Lopen.
One time, during a private Royal audience with His Majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo, I submitted that Talo and Sewala monasteries were also important holy sites. I reported that it would be beneficial in the future if we could establish Shedras in the two monasteries as well. His Majesty gracefully accepted our request, deploying 2 soldiers each in the respective monasteries as gatekeepers and started the Shedra with 100 monks each in Sewala and Talo.
In hindsight, from being a simple sweeper till being appointed as the Dorji Lopen, I feel that my life has been very meaningful due to the blessings of my Guru. Everything has been a fruitful journey without any obstacles. As I turn 88 years old this year, I would like to pray that Buddha Dharma flourishes in all 10 directions, that all individuals who benefit the Buddha Dharma live long, that benevolent sponsors who ensure continuity of the Buddha Dharma prosper, and that all Bhutanese people enjoy unprecedented peace and happiness for all times to come.”
Curtesy: Zhung Dratshang
