This is a good article. Click here for more information.

Paro Taktsang
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paro Taktsang
Taktshang edit.jpg
View of Paro Taktsang
Paro Taktsang is located in Bhutan Paro TaktsangParo Taktsang
Location within Bhutan
Coordinates 272930.88N 892148.56ECoordinates: 272930.88N
892148.56E
Monastery information
Location

Paro Valley, Paro District, Bhutan

Founded

8th century (as a meditation cave)

1692 (formally built as a monastery)

Date renovated

1958 and 2005

Type Tibetan Buddhist

Sect

Drukpa Kagyu and Nyingma

Dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava

Architecture Bhutanese
This article contains Tibetan script. Without proper rendering support, you
may see very small fonts, misplaced vowels or missing conjuncts or other symbols
instead of Tibetan characters.
Paro Taktsang (Dzongkha: , also known as the Taktsang Palphug Monastery
and the Tiger's Nest),[1] is a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and the
temple complex is located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan.

A temple complex was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave
where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three years, three

months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century.
Padmasambhava is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and is the
tutelary deity of the country. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen
taktsang or "tiger lair" caves in which he meditated.

The temple devoted to Padmasambhava (also known as Gu-ru mTshan-brgyad

Lhakhang, "the Temple of the Guru with Eight Names") is an elegant structure built
around the cave in 1692 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye; and has become the cultural icon
of Bhutan.[2][3][4] A popular festival, known as the Tsechu, held in honor of
Padmasambhava, is celebrated in the Paro valley sometime during March or April.

Contents [hide]
1

History

1.1

Background and legends

1.2

Establishment as a meditation site

1.3

17th century to present: The modern monastery

1.4

Fire Destruction

Geography

Structure

3.1

Exterior

3.1.1 Other structures within the precincts

3.2

Paintings

Royal visit

References

Further reading

External links

History[edit]
Background and legends[edit]

According to the legend related to this Taktsang (which in Tibetan language is spelt
[clarification needed] (stag tshang) which literally means "Tiger's lair", it is believed
that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew to this location from Tibet on the back
of a tigress from Khenpajong.[5] This place was consecrated to tame the Tiger
demon.

Guru Padmasambhava founder of the meditations cave. Wall painting on Paro

Bridge.
An alternative legend holds that a former wife of an emperor, known as Yeshe
Tsogyal, willingly became a disciple of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambahva) in Tibet.
She transformed herself into a tigress and carried the Guru on her back from Tibet
to the present location of the Taktsang in Bhutan. In one of the caves here, the Guru
then performed meditation and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations)
and the place became holy. Subsequently, the place came to be known as the
Tiger's Nest.[5]

Wider view of the cliffside

The popular legend of the Taktsang monastery is further embellished with the story
of Tenzin Rabgye, who built the temple here in 1692. It has been mentioned by
authors that the 8th century guru Padmasmabhava had reincarnated again in the
form of Tenzin Rabgye. The corroborative proofs mooted are: that Tenzin Rabgye
was seen (by his friends) concurrently inside and outside his cave; even a small
quantity of food was adequate to feed all visitors; no one was injured during worship
(in spite of the approach track to the monastery being dangerous and slippery); and
the people of the Paro valley saw in the sky various animal forms and religious
symbols including a shower of flowers that appeared and also vanished in the air
without touching the earth.[2]

Establishment as a meditation site[edit]

As noted before, the monastery was built around the Taktsang Senge Samdup (stag
tshang seng ge bsam grub) cave, where custom holds that the Indian Guru
Padmasambahva meditated in the 8th century. He flew to this place from Tibet on
the back of Yeshe Tsogyal, whom he transformed into a flying tigress for the purpose
and landed at the cliff, which he "anointed" as the place for building a monastery.

He established Buddhism and the Nyingmapa school of Mahayana Buddhism in

Bhutan, and has been considered the protector saint of Bhutan. Later,
Padmasmbahva visited Bumthang district to subdue a powerful deity offended by a
local king. Padmasambhava's body imprint is stated to be imprinted on the wall of a
cave near Kurje Lhakhang temple. In 853, Langchen Pelkyi Singye came to the cave
to meditate and gave his name of Pelphug to the cave, "Pelkyi's cave".[5] After he
died later in Nepal, his body was said to have been miraculously returned to the
monastery by the grace of the deity Dorje Legpa; it is now said to be sealed in a
chorten in a room to the left at the top of the entrance stairway.[5] The chorten was
restored in 1982-83 and again in 2004.[5]

Milarepa (10401123), who meditated at the cave in Taktsang

From the 11th century, many Tibetan saints and eminent figures came to Taktsang
to meditate, including Milarepa (10401123), Pha Dampa Sangye (died 1117), the
Tibetan yogini Machig Labdrn (10551145) and Thangton Gyelpo (13851464).[5]
In the latter part of the 12th century, the Lapa School was established in Paro.[6]
Between 12th and 17th centuries, many Lamas who came from Tibet established
their monasteries in Bhutan. The first sanctuary to be built in the area dates to the
14th century when Sonam Gyeltshen, a Nyingmapa lama of the Kathogpa branch
came from Tibet.[5] The paintings he brought can still be faintly discerned on a rock
above the principal building although there is no trace of the original one.[5] The
Taktsang Ugyen Tsemo complex, which was rebuilt after a fire in 1958 is said to date
back to 1408.[5] Taktsang remained under the authority of the Kathogpa lamas for
centuries until the mid 17th century.[5]

17th century to present: The modern monastery[edit]

Tsechu Dance of the Black Hat monks initiated by Pema Ligpa of Bumthang
In the 17th century the well-known Tertn Pema Lingpa of Bumthang, who founded
many monasteries in various parts of Bhutan, was also instrumental in creating
religious and secular dance forms from his conception of the 'Zandog Pelri' (the
Copper Colored mountain), which was the abode of the Guru Padmasambahva
(which is the same place as the Paro Taktsang or Tiger's nest). This dance is
performed in Paro as the Tsche festival. But it was during the time of Ngawang
Namgyal of the Drukpa subsect, who fled Tibet to escape persecution by the
opposing sect of the Gelugpa order (which dominated Tibet under the Dalai Lamas),
that an administrative mechanism was established in Bhutan.

In due time, he established himself in Bhutan as a 'model of rulership' and was

known as the "Shabdrung" with full authority. He wanted to establish an edifice at
the Taktsang Pel Phuk site. It was during a Tibetan invasion of Bhutan in 1644-46
that Shabdrung and his Tibetan Nyingmapa teacher gTer-ston Rig-dzin sNying-po
had invoked Padmasambhava and the protective deities at Taktsang to give them
success over the invaders. He performed the bka brgyad dgongs dus rituals
associated with the celebrations of Tshechu. Bhutan won the war against Tibet
However, Shabdrung was not able to build a temple at Takstsang to celebrate the
event, even though he very much wanted to do so.[2][6][7][8]

The wish of Shabdrung to build a temple here, however, was fulfilled during the 4th
Druk Desi Tenzin Rabgye (163896), the first, and only successor of Shabdrung
Ngawang Namgyel (Zhabs-drung Ngag-dbang rNam-rgyal), "a distant cousin from a
collateral line descending from the 15th century crazy saint Drukpa Kunley".
During his visit to the sacred cave of Taktsang Pel Phuk during the Tshechu season
of 1692 he laid the foundation for building the temple dedicated to Guru Rinpoche
called the Temple of the Guru with Eight Names (gu ru mtshan brgyad lha-khang).
It was a decision taken by Tenzin Rabgye while standing at the cave overlooking the
Paro valley. At this time, he was leading the Tshechu festival of religious dances.[2]
At that time the only temples reported to be in existence, at higher elevations, were
the Zangdo Pelri (Zongs mdog dPalri) and Ugyen Tsemo (Urgyan rTse-mo).[2]

Fire Destruction[edit]
On April 19, 1998, a fire broke out in the main building of the monastery complex,
which contained valuable paintings, artifacts and statues. The fire is believed to
have been caused by electrical short-circuiting or flickering butter lamps lighting the
hanging tapestries. A monk also died during the fire. The restoration works were
undertaken at an estimated cost of 135 million ngultrum. The Government of
Bhutan and the then King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, oversaw the
restoration of the damaged monastery and its contents in 2005.[9][10][11]

Geography[edit]

Cloud cover around the monastery

The monastery is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the north of Paro and hangs on a
precipitous cliff at 3,120 metres (10,240 ft), about 900 metres (3,000 ft) above the
Paro valley, on the right side of the Paro Chu (chu Bhutanese means river or
water.[12]]).[13] The rock slopes are very steep (almost vertical) and the
monastery buildings are built into the rock face. Though it looks formidable, the
monastery complex has access from several directions, such as the northwest path
through the forest, from the south along the path used by devotees, and from the
north (access over the rocky plateau, which is called the Hundred Thousand
Fairies known as Bumda (hBum-brag). A mule track leading to it passes through
pine forest that is colorfully festooned with moss and prayer flags. On many days,
clouds shroud the monastery and give an eerie feeling of remoteness.[13][14]

Pine forest in the area

On the approach path to the monastery, there is a Lakhang (village level
monastery) and a temple of Urgyan Tsemo ("U-rgyan rTse-mo") which, like the main
monastery, is located on a rocky plateau with a precipitous projection of several
hundred feet over the valley. From this location, the monasterys buildings are on
the opposite ravine, which is known by the name Copper-Colored Mountain
Paradise of Padmasambhava. This is the view point for visitors and there is a
cafeteria to provide refreshments.[15] The trek beyond this point is very scenic with
the sound of the water fall breaking the silence.[16] Along the trek route blue pine
trees, prayer flags and kiosks selling paraphernalia for worship (such as prayer
wheels, temple bells and skulls) are seen. The route is scattered with number of
temples. On this path, a large water fall, which drops by 60 metres (200 ft) into a
sacred pool, is forded over by a bridge. The track terminates at the main monastery
where colorful paintings are displayed. Guru Rinpoche's cave where he meditated is
also seen. This cave is opened for public viewing only once a year.[17]

Structure[edit]
Exterior[edit]

Tiger's Nest temples

The monastery buildings consist of four main temples and residential shelters
ideally designed by adapting to the rock (granite) ledges, the caves and the rocky
terrain. Out of the eight caves, four are comparatively easy to access. The cave
where Padmasmabhava first entered, riding the Tiger, is known as 'Tholu Phuk' and

the original cave where he resided and did meditation is known as the 'Pel Phuk'. He
directed the spiritually enlightened monks to build the monastery here. The
monastery is so precariously perched that it is said: "it clings to the side of the
mountain like a gecko". The main cave is entered through a narrow passage. The
dark cave houses a dozen images of Bodhisattvas and butter lamps flicker in front
of these idols. An elegant image of Chenrezig (Avalokitesvara) is also deified here.
In an adjoining small cell, the sacred scripture is placed; the importance of this
scripture is that it has been scripted with gold dust and the crushed bone powder of
a divine Lama. It is also said that the monks who practice Vajrayana Buddhism (the
formal State Religion of Bhutan) at this cave monastery live here for three years and
seldom go down to the Paro valley.[4][18][19]

All the buildings are interconnected through steps and stairways made in rocks.
There are a few rickety wooden bridges along the paths and stairways also to cross
over. The temple at the highest level has a frieze of Buddha. Each building has a
balcony, which provides lovely views of the scenic Paro valley down below. The
Monasteries have ancient history of occupation by monks, as hermitages.[4][18]

Other structures within the precincts[edit]

Prayer wheel
Taktshang Zangdo Pari is the place where Padmasmbahavas wife, known as the
Fairy of Wisdom, Yeshe Tshogyal (Ye-shes mtsho-rgyal), the founder of the Mon, a
convent, by the same name as Taktshang and also two other convents. The present
caretaker of the place is said to be an old nun supported by a young trainee.

Another important place near the shrine is the Urgyan Tsemo, the Peak of Urgyan
which has a small Mani Lakhang. The prayer wheel, turned by an old monk,
resounds with chimes that are heard every day at 4 am. Above the Urgyan is the
holy cave temple known as 'Phaphug Lakhang' (dPal-phug IHa-khang), which is the
main shrine of the Taktshang. It is also the residence of the Head Lama, Karma
Thupden Chokyi Nyenci.

Paintings[edit]

Another view of the monastery

The Copper-Coloured Mountain Paradise of Padmasambahva (Zangdopari) is
vividly displayed in a heart shape on every thangkha and also painted on the walls
of the monastery as a constant reminder of the legend. The paintings are set on a
pedestal that represents the realm of the King of Nagas amidst Dakinis (mKha-hgroma), and the pinnacle in the painting denotes the domain of Brahma. The paintings
also depict Klu (Naga) demigods with a human head and the body of a serpent,
which are said to reside in lakes (said to denote that they are guarding the hidden
treasures). Allegorically, they mean to represent the spiritual holy writings. The
paintings also show what is termed as Walkers in the Sky (mKha-hgro-ma).

The holy hill is drawn in the backdrop with four faces painted with different colors
the east face is in crystal white color, the south face is yellow, the west is in red
color and the north has green color. The palace has four sides and eight corners
with its lower and upper tiers adorned with jewels. The courtyard with four
enclosures is said to represent four kinds of conduct. The walls are built with bricks,
balconies have been bejewelled with religious symbols. The ambience is shown in
the form of wishing trees, fountains of the water of life, rain bows in five colors with
cloud formations and light emanating from lotus flowers. The palace is also shown
with a throne with eight corners fully and curiously bejewelled. Padmasmbahva is
shown sitting on a pure stalk of lotus emitting divine energy appearing divine,
charitable, powerful, or fierce.

Further detailing depicted on the four faces and eight corners, are five kinds of
Buddhas suppressing the vicious demons (performing four pious deeds) and placed
on thrones that are mounted over the stooping demons. The demons and Khadoms
are depicted adorned and seated on four petalled and four faced thrones adorned
with necromantic attributes enjoying a good time; the Khadoms are seen on the
four-sided courtyard of the palace and also on all side walls.

The scene is further embellished around the Guru Rinpoche (Padmashambahava)

image and also in the palace, with gods and goddesses in the heavens, with gate
keepers at the four gates with an army of messengers and servants; all trying to
crush the demons to dust. The supporting staff shown are said to represent the
Himalayan tribes of pre-Buddhist periods. Johnsingh (2008) describes his trek to this
unbelievable location.

Royal visit[edit]

On 15 April 2016, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate
Middleton trekked for three hours to reach the monastery, while in the country on a
visit..[20] Prince Charles, William's father, who wanted to visit this monastery could
not make this trek in 1998 due an injury he suffered in a polo match but he made a
scenic painting of the monastery in watercolors from further down the path.[21]

References[edit]
Jump up ^ Lopen Kunzang Tinley (2008). Seeds of Faith: A Comprehensive Guide to
the Sacred Places of Bhutan. V1. Thimphu: KMT Publishers. pp. 121130. ISBN
99936-22-42-7.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e Ardussi, John A. (1999). "Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye and the
Founding of Taktsang Lhakhang" (pdf). Journal of Bhutan Studies. Thimphu: Centre
for Bhutan Studies. 1 (1): 28. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
Jump up ^ Williamson, Teresa Rodriguez (2007). Fly Solo: The 50 Best Places on
Earth for a Girl to Travel Alone. Perigee. p. 170. ISBN 0-399-53310-9. Retrieved
2010-03-12.
^ Jump up to: a b c Yowell, Skip (2007). The Hippie Guide to Climbing the Corporate
Ladder and Other Mountains: How ... Thomas Nelson. pp. 155156. ISBN 1-59555852-7. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j Pommaret, Francoise (2006). Bhutan Himalayan
Mountains Kingdom (5th edition). Odyssey Books and Guides. pp. 1367.
^ Jump up to: a b Shaw, Brian (2003). The Far East and Australasia, 2003. Bhutan:
Early History. Routledge. pp. 180181. ISBN 1-85743-133-2. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
Jump up ^ "The Paro Tsechu". Retrieved 2010-03-07.
Jump up ^ "The Paro Tsechu the Thondrol of Guru Rincpoche". Retrieved 2010-0307.
Jump up ^ Brown, Lindsay; Bradley Mayhew, Stan Armington; Richard Whitecross
(2007). Bhutan. Lonely Planet. pp. 129130. ISBN 1-74059-529-7. Retrieved 201004-19.
Jump up ^ Harrison, Peter (2004). Castles of God: fortified religious buildings of the
world. Boydell Press. pp. 268270. ISBN 1-84383-066-3. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
Jump up ^ Monteath, Colin (2006). Climb Every Mountain: A Journey to the Earths
Most Spectacular High Altitude Locations. Frances Lincoln ltd. pp. 118119. ISBN 07112-2674-1. Retrieved 2010-03-12.

Jump up ^ "Bumthang Cultural (14 Days)". Day 3 Paro-Thimpu.

^ Jump up to: a b "Druk Path Trek". Retrieved 2010-03-07.
Jump up ^ "In The Kingdom Of Bhutan". Global Sapiens. October 6, 2002. Retrieved
2010-03-07.
Jump up ^ "Bhutan Journey". Day 12: Paro-Taktsang (Tiger's Nest ). India Paradise
Explored. Retrieved 2010-04-19.
Jump up ^ Schultz, Patricia (2003). 1,000 places to see before you die. Workman
Publishing. p. 441. ISBN 0-7611-0484-4. Retrieved 2010-04-19. Taktsang, the Tigers
nest is a destination of treks long and shortIt is startlingly scenic, with nothing
breaking the silence except a water fall
Jump up ^ Sacred Places of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Most Peaceful and
Powerful ... Taktsang. National Geographic Books. 2008. p. 367. ISBN 978-1-42620336-7. Retrieved 2010-04-19. climbing through blue pines and rhododendrons,
past Buddhist flags, prayer wheels and make shift stalls selling temple bells and
skulls for ritual offerings. Temples are scattered all over the hillsBeyond this view
point garlanded in flags, the trail plunges straight down to a bridge across a 60 m
waterfall cascades into a sacred pool. After the climb the main sanctuary greets you
with bright paintings on the walls. Here you will find Guru Rimpoches meditation
cave, open once a year.
^ Jump up to: a b Rosner, Victor (1980). A Quiver Full of Arrows. D.S.S. Publications.
p. 155. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
Jump up ^ Parekh, Navin (1986). Himalayan memoirs. Popular Prakashan. p. 70.
ISBN 0-86132-126-X. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
Jump up ^ "'It's a great way to burn off the curry!': Super-fit Kate jokes as she barely
breaks sweat during three hour trek with Wills to remote 10,000ft Tiger's Nest
monastery on Bhutan clifftop - and she even dragged her STYLISTS along". Daily
Mail. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
Jump up ^ "Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Bhutan". The Times of India. 14
April 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
Further reading[edit]
Guide to Taktshang: Restored Taktshang, Department of Culture, Thimphu, Bhutan
2005. ISBN 99936-617-1-6
Seeds of Faith: A Comprehensive Guide to the Sacred Places of Bhutan vol. 1, pp.
121125, KMT Publishers, Thimphu, Bhutan 2008. ISBN 99936-22-42-7

Bellows, Keith (2008). Sacred Places of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Most Peaceful
and Powerful Destinations. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic Society. ISBN
978-1-4262-0336-7. OCLC 191922807.
External links[edit]
Media related to Paro Taktsang at Wikimedia Commons
[hide] v t e
Buddhist monasteries and dzongs of Bhutan
Chador Lhakhang Chagri Monastery Chimi Lhakhang Choedrak Monastery Dechen
Phodrang Monastery Drametse Monastery Drukgyal Dzong Gangteng Monastery
Jambay Lhakhang Jangsarpey Lhakhang Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang Kamsum Yul-le
Namgyal Choten Knchogsum Lhakhang Kungzandra Monastery Kurjey Lhakhang
Kyichu Lhakhang Lamay Monastery Lhuntse Dzong Lhodrakarchu Monastery
Nalanda Buddhist Institute Ngang Lhakhang Nyimalung Monastery Oesel Choeling
Monastery Ogyen Choeling Monastery Pangri Zampa Monastery Paro Taktsang
Petsheling Monastery Phajoding Monastery Rigsum Monastery Rinpung Dzong
Samtenling Monastery Sekargutho Monastery Shingkar Monastery Simtokha Dzong
Sobrang Monastery Tala Monastery Talo Monastery Tamshing Lhakhang Tango
Monastery Thangthong Dewachen Nunnery Tharpaling Monastery Thowadra
Monastery Tang Rimochen Lhakhang Trashigang Nunnery Trongsa Dzong Ura
Monastery Yongla Monastery Yonphula Lhakhang Zangdopelri Monastery Zugne
Lhakang
Best Tour Operator in Bhutan

Categories: Tibetan Buddhist monasteriesBuddhist monasteries in

BhutanNyingmaReligious buildings completed in 1692Tibetan Buddhism in
Bhutan1692 establishments in Asia
Navigation menu
Not logged inTalkContributionsCreate accountLog inArticleTalkReadEditView
historySearch

Search
Go
Main page
Contents

Featured content
Current events
Random article
Donate to Wikipedia
Wikipedia store
Interaction
Help
About Wikipedia
Community portal
Recent changes
Contact page
Tools
What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Wikidata item
Cite this page
Print/export
Create a book
Download as PDF
Printable version
In other projects
Wikimedia Commons

Languages
etina
Deutsch
Espaol
Esperanto

Franais
Galego

Italiano

Lietuvi

Nederlands

Norsk bokml
Portugus

Suomi
Svenska

Ting Vit

Edit links
This page was last modified on 30 September 2016, at 15:53.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License;
additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and
Privacy Policy. Wikipedia is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation,
Inc., a non-profit organization.
Privacy policyAbout WikipediaDisclaimersContact WikipediaDevelopersCookie
statementMobile viewWikimedia Foundation Powered by MediaWiki