Thinley Namgay 

Around 10,000 monks from 20 Rabdeys under the Zhung Dratshang (Central Monastic Body) began three-day moenlam tshogchen to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the 70th Je Khenpo, His Holiness Trulku Jigme Chhoeda.

Recitation of neten chudrug, guru dragmar, zangchey moenlam, tshedo, among others, continues for the long life of His Holiness.

In Punakha alone, close to 1,000 monks are conducting and reciting prayers. At Trashichhodzong, government officials joined the 150 monks to offer prayers.

As part of the celebration, the Zhung Dratshang distributed portraits, prayers, and  autobiography booklet of His Holiness.

Besides Rabdeys, special prayers were also held at other religious institutions such as shedra, drubdra, and gendeys across the country.   The moenlam tshogchen will end today.

Bhutanese from all walks of life joined the nation to celebrate the Silver Jubilee.

According to the Zhung Dratshang, the Silver Jubilee was an extraordinary occasion to pay tribute to His Holiness for his extraordinary contributions to Buddha Dharma.

The Zhung Dratshang’s kudrung and the overall coordinator, Ugyen Tenzin, said that the moenlam tshogchen was also organised for the peace and prosperity of the country. “Moenlam tshogchen is  also to prevent Covid-19 pandemic as the world undergoes unprecedented sufferings with increasing Covid-19 cases.”

Under the guidance of His Holiness, the Zhung Dratshang has been continuing religious rituals to avert the dangers of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Currently, His Holiness is at Lhuentse, presiding a moenlam chenmo.

His Holiness is the longest-serving Je Khenpo of Bhutan. His Holiness was installed as 70th Je Khenpo of Bhutan on May 3, 1996, at Punakha dzong.

His Holiness was born on August 12, 1955, at Kurtoe, Lhuentse.