Grand inauguration of Tara lhakhang at Pangrizampa (Thimphu) Bhutan.

The one-storied temple was constructed under the aegis of Her Majesty the Queen Mother Thimphu:Bhutan: His Majesty the King, His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo and members of the royal family will grace the consecration ceremony of the newly constructed Tara Lhaden Zhingkham lhakhang at Pangrizampa, Thimphu.

His Holiness the 70th Je Khenpo, Trulku Jigme Choedra, and Gyalse Trulku Jigme Tenzin Wangpo, who conducted the Tagoen Sungchog (purification ceremony) for the preparation of Tashi Rabney (consecration) yesterday, are performing the Tshepamey Sungshog, dedicated to the Buddha Amitayus, today.

On the last day of the consecration ceremony, His Holiness will invoke blessings and the essence of the wisdom of Amitayus into the lhakhang and the sacred images of 21 Tara.

Overlooking the Pangrizampa monastery, the one-storied lhakhang with 21 Tara images was constructed under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Mother Sangay Choden Wangchuck with an aspiration and motivation to foster greater peace and prosperity of all sentient beings, avert national disasters and propagate the welfare of all Bhutanese.

“Her Majesty initiated the construction of the 21 Tara Lhaden Zhingkham lhakhang in October 2010, as she is devoted to Jetsuen Drolma, particularly to White Tara,” member of the Royal Privy Council, Dasho Sangay Wangchug, said.

He said the monastery, which has eight sides, is also dedicated as a Tara mandala offering to ensure Their Majesties’ long life and wellbeing.

An eight-foot clay statue of White Tara is the main image, flanked by four feet images of 20 other drolmas, which master sculptor Karma and other prominent local artisans sculpted.

Drolma or Tara is a female bodhisattva, personifying the transcendental wisdom and active compassion of all the Buddhas. Dasho Sangay Wangchug said that Drolma is also considered as the Gyalwai Yum, or Mother of all the Buddhas. Tara remains among the most beloved icons from the vast pantheon of Mahayanan Buddhism deities, inspiring countless Buddhist saints and lay practioners on their path to enlightenment.

Drolma has 21 primary emanations and each of these is represented by a different colour and different form. Dasho Sangay Wangchug said each Tara performs a different activity, such as pacification, increase, overpower and wrathful. For instance, White Tara represents the enlightened activity of pacifying, such as overcoming sickness, causes of untimely death and obstacles to success in one’s life.

The lhakhang also boasts of unique artifacts and paintings, as the inner temple walls are adorned by exquisite murals paintings, depicting different deities of Vajrayana traditions, saints, bodhisattvas and events from Gautama Buddha’s life. The ceiling of the temple is also beautifully embellished with mandalas of the five Buddhas.

“This is the first monastery in Bhutan dedicated exclusively to the 21 Taras,” Dasho Sangay Wangchug said.

A press release from the lhakhang project office stated that Her Majesty’s noble initiative was realized with the unstinting support received from family, close friends from within and outside Bhutan, and the government.