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| (Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel) |
It was amazing that in between two giant China in the North and India in the South, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal managed to curve out Bhutan as a sovereignty country.
Even after being a sovereign country the Tibetans didn’t allowed Bhutan to stay peacefully. They continued to attack Bhutan with an objective to kill Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and take back the most sacred Relic Rangjung Kharsapani, which Zhabdrung brought from Ralung, Tibet. In fact this sacred relic belonged to Zhabdrung Rinpoche.
Even after being a sovereign country the Tibetans didn’t allowed Bhutan to stay peacefully. They continued to attack Bhutan with an objective to kill Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and take back the most sacred Relic Rangjung Kharsapani, which Zhabdrung brought from Ralung, Tibet. In fact this sacred relic belonged to Zhabdrung Rinpoche.
During Zhabdrung 35 years' rules there has been numerous ferocious attack from Tibet, which of course was successfully repelled by Zhabdrung Rinpoche himself. Tibetan finally gave up, as they knew it was difficult and impossible to uproot Zhabdrung Rinpoche from Bhutan.
As everything is impermanent so was Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. He breath last in Punakha Dzong in 1651. His death was not announced.
Undoubtedly, Tibetans would have attacked Bhutan immediately had they knew the exact demise date of Zhabdrung Rinpoche. Under such environment when Bhutan grieves the great loss of its benevolent leader anything could have happened since Tibetans during those days were our enemy and they would have immediately pounced on opportunity.
During that era, the stability of our country was purely resting on the presence of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Strategically Zhabdrung's death was kept as top secret.
Late Zhabdrung's closest aids announced that Zhabdrung had entered in strict retreat and they have maintained that for more than 50 years issuing edicts in his name until 1705 when it was formerly declared.
Zhabdrung's body is still intact and preserved as "Machey" (Machey means 'sacred embalmed body') in the Machey Lhakhang in Punakha.
In 1995, His Majesty the Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck rebuilt the present new casket and sacred Machey was placed inside. The casket is sealed and may not be opened hereafter. Along with Zhabdrung's Machey, Terton Pema Lingpa remains was also preserved.
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| (Machey Lhakhang) |
Other than two guardian lamas, only His Majesty the King and His Holiness the Je Khenpo can enter the Machey room.
Both His Majesty the King and His Holiness the Je Khenpo must come to take blessings and Dar from the sacred Machay before they take up their offices.
Zhabdrung's Machey is therefore an important remains of a Great Rinpoche that will continue to bless the Kingdom. This calls for great purity and sanctity of the place and so sanctorum is not open to all.
So when visiting Punakha Dzong never expect to enter the Machey room. Your visit near to the Machey Lhakhang is enough to receive Zhabdrung's blessing.
Bhutan has the remain of its founder and that is the most sacred relic of the kingdom. May peace continue in the Kingdom of Bhutan.
