Khandu Om | Intern

The two-week Wang-Lung-Thri (oral transmission and empowerment) of the sacred works of Longchenpa at Tharpaling monastery, Bumthang concluded yesterday.

The religious ceremony concluded with Yumka Dechen Gyalmo tshokor, which is one of the three root practices of the Longchen Nyingthik. It is the sadhana practice of Yeshe Tshogyel, the consort of Guru Rinpoche and a wisdom dakini. Rinpoche also administered tshe-wang on the last day. 

Thousands of devotees from across Bhutan gathered at Tharpaling to receive the Wang-Lung-Thri. 

Tharpaling saw one of the biggest congregations of devotees attending a religious event in recent history. About 50,000 devotees gathered in the monastery to receive blessings from Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. 

Among the devotees was Kinzang Delma, a college student of Thimphu. “There was a huge rush on the last day making it impossible for us to even get a place to sit.”  

She said that she was happy that she could make it to the event even though she could not attend from the start. 

Pema Yuden, 45, from Trashiyangtse, attended the entire oral transmission and empowerment. She said, “This is my first time receiving Wang-Lung-Thri from Rinpoche and I feel blessed to be here.”

She also shared that they had issues with water for use in toilets and sanitation of toilets. She added, “The monsoon weather had also been a challenge as we did not get a proper place to sleep.” 

Ugyen Dorji, 40, also shared toilets and water as one of the major challenges during their stay. 

The cold during the rainy day had also been an obstacle during their stay in the monastery while receiving oral transmissions. 

Sources said that some even suffered from altitude sickness and got treated. The sacred monastery is located at 3,600m.