Buddhism in Bhutan

The Vajrayana branch of Mahayana Buddhism which is practiced by almost 80% of the population of Bhutan is the state religion. Hinduism is predominant among the people of southern Bhutan and covers 20% of the population. Buddhism, like Hinduism, finds its root in India and it is generally divided into two great schools: the Mahayana meaning Greater Vehicle and Hinayana meaning Lesser Vehicle. These days Hinayana is more popularly known as Theravada.

The Sanskrit word Yana meaning vehicle, suggests a path which leads sentient beings to higher states depending on their deeds. Bhutan is the only independent Mahayana country in the world today. Buddhism set its foot in the country in the 7^th century when A.D, when the first two temples of Kyichu in Paro and Jampa in Bumthang were built in the first half of the 7^th Century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

However, the major growth of Buddhism started only in the 8^th Century with the visit of Indian saint, Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rimpoche in Bhutan. His teachings laid the foundation for one of the most important and unifying forces in the development of Bhutan’s unique culture and tradition. Now the country’s religion has become its way of life. Bonism was widely practiced before the advent of Buddhism. Many of the mountain and local deities which people worship today were originally gods belonging to the Bon religion and who were subdued and taken into Buddhism as protector deities.

From the 13^th century onwards, many religious masters came to Bhutan from Tibet and spread the teachings of their schools such as Sakyapa, Drukpa Kagyudpa, Chagzampa, Kathogpa and Nyingmapa. Many of these schools were able to establish only small temples and in the course of time merged with other schools. Today, Drukpa Kagyudpa and Nyingmapa are the two most prominent schools in Bhutan.

Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (1594 – 1651) who unified Bhutan into a single state and built many Dzongs (Fortresses) codified the teachings and traditions of Buddhism now followed in Bhutan. To uphold these traditions, he appointed eight great disciples in the fields of lineage, oral tradition, religious law and ritual, which are carried on today as the living tradition of the country.

Popular Buddhist Saying:

“If you want to know your past life, look at your present condition

And

If you want to know your future life, look at your present actions”

This saying actually means that your future lies within your present action or Karma. Whatever you are right now is the reaction of your past karma…………whether good or bad. You get what you give.

Buddhism in Bhutan

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